Park County budget workshop: mental-health and juvenile-detention costs drive projected shortfall

Park County finance staff reported at a May 29 budget workshop that the county’s general fund is about $315,000 over budget for FY25 and early planning numbers for FY26 show a possible shortfall in the range of $750,000 before any proposed cost-of-living adjustment.

The figures were presented by Erica (finance staff), who provided a year‑to‑date budget matrix and a high‑level FTE and pay‑range summary. "Positions paid under $20 cost the county about $61,000 a year with benefits," Erica said, describing the per‑position loaded cost assumptions she used in the materials.

Why it matters: Commissioners heard that two categories — mental‑health treatment bills and juvenile‑detention costs — account for most of the upward pressure on the general fund. Finance staff and county participants warned those costs have increased sharply this fiscal year, in part because of changes in where patients can be taken for treatment and because some facilities’ billing and Medicaid coverage patterns have changed since the pandemic.

Key figures and drivers - FY25 general fund: Erica presented a projection that leaves the general fund roughly $315,000 over budget for the fiscal year as of the May payrolls and postings. - FY26 early projection: Finance staff said the county is likely facing a shortfall in the range of about $750,000 before any COLA (cost of living adjustment) is applied; that number remains provisional and dependent on pending entries and presentations. - Mental‑health bills: Finance staff said mental‑health bills have grown from an…