Park County amends FY24–25 budget and adopts FY25–26 budget; commissioners cite staffing pressures

Park County commissioners on July 15 approved a resolution amending the fiscal year 2024–25 budget and adopted the county's final fiscal year 2025–26 budget after a public hearing in which no member of the public spoke. The amendment increases total expenditures by $44,194.91, and the board also approved three related resolutions including a county retirement contribution cap.

The amendment and adoption were discussed and approved at a public hearing. Hans Odey, first deputy Park County clerk, read the amendment into the record and gave line-item changes: an increase of $1,375.76 to the public-health Temporary Assistance for Needy Families line, $13,504.13 to public-health emergency planning, and $20,582.34 to the county road fund, for a total $44,194.91 increase to the FY24'25 budget. The board then moved to adopt the proposed FY25'26 budget as presented by staff.

Why it matters: adoption of the final budget sets county spending and funding priorities for the next fiscal year and implements statutory obligations. Commissioners used the meeting to highlight the county's staffing challenges and to note program reductions made to preserve required services.

Most-important details: Hans Odey read the amendment and the board voted to adopt it and the FY25'26 budget; the board passed three associated resolutions (law-enforcement/public-employee retirement contribution cap, revenue resolution, and appropriation resolution). A commissioner warned that the county is already losing staff and that further painful cuts may be needed in future budgets. The chair said economic-development funding was cut across three areas and the recreation budget was reduced by $45,000 to prioritize statutory obligations and core services.

The vote and related actions: The board opened and closed the public hearing with no members of the public speaking. A motion to amend the FY24'25 budget and a motion to adopt the FY25'26 budget were each moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. The clerk will provide resolution numbers and documentation for the record.

Background and context: Commissioners said they tested cuts across departments and that many department heads proposed reductions. They emphasized retention of staff as the county's core asset and said wage competition from private and other public employers is making recruitment and retention harder, particularly for the sheriff's office, IT, buildings and grounds, planning and zoning, and the county attorney's office. The chair noted the board reduced discretionary economic-development spending to preserve senior- and youth-services funding and statutory functions.

What comes next: The clerk will provide resolution numbers for the three resolutions tied to the budget amendment and adoption. Commissioners signaled the county may need additional budget work in the coming year if revenues do not improve.