Albany County commissioners approve $86.08 million budget after PILT windfall and reserve transfers

Albany County commissioners on June 30 approved the fiscal year 2025–26 budget, a $86,077,409.93 spending plan that county staff said reflects a larger-than-expected federal PILT payment, targeted transfers, and several line-item increases.

The vote came after a public hearing on the proposed budget and a brief recess to incorporate staff changes. Kayla, county staff who presented the revised totals, said “PILT came in over $2,000,000 which was $831,147 more than budgeted,” and that staff had proposed setting aside that excess for transfers the commissioners could direct.

The PILT (payments in lieu of taxes) overage, together with smaller excesses in special-revenue funds, left the county with additional one-time cash that staff and commissioners discussed allocating across reserves and one-time needs. Tracy, county finance staff, and other presenters recommended placing a portion of available funds into reserves rather than recurring spending because of revenue uncertainty next year, including the prospect of a ballot measure that could affect property-tax revenue.

Why it matters: the county’s approved appropriations include new contingency and reserve strategy and explicit allocations to cover an emergent local cost (surface water drainage fees) that the City of Laramie began charging for impermeable-area units. Commissioners and staff said moving the unanticipated PILT funds to reserves and one-time transfers preserves flexibility if revenue drops next year.

Most important facts

- Total appropriation adopted: $86,077,409.93 (staff read the full resolution to adopt appropriations for 07/01/2025–06/30/2026).

- General fund estimated total: $19,164,519; estimated grant…