Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District finance director outlines deficit projections, carryover and planned budget amendments
Summary
Business manager Amanda presented 2025–26 preliminary budget projections showing a projected general-fund deficit, carryover rules, and planned budget amendments; trustees discussed steps to align expenditures with expected revenues.
Fremont County School District #2’s business manager presented preliminary budget projections for 2025–26 that showed the district expects higher revenue than last year but still faces a projected deficit unless further expenditure reductions or revenue increases occur.
Amanda said the district’s estimated revenue for 2025–26 is about $5.1 million while projected expenditures as currently drafted are about $6.1 million, leaving the district in a deficit position under the current assumptions. She told trustees that the district’s maximum allowable carryover (30% of the foundation) could be roughly $1.3 million, but exact carryover figures depend on year‑end payroll and final payouts.
Board members reviewed several expenditure drivers Amanda highlighted: payroll (including step increases and lane movement), employer benefit costs, possible increases in health insurance, and one-time items such as a loan payment for a replacement skid steer estimated at about $20,000 per year for five years. She also noted budget adjustments will be required for special-revenue and grant funds and that the district has started its audit earlier than in prior years.
Amanda recommended the board not increase district-wide pay scales beyond the amounts already budgeted and said she would propose changes to benefit plan buy-ups to reduce district costs (for example, paying only base dental/vision and making upgraded plans a staff buy-up). The business manager also recommended careful use of major maintenance, special depreciation and rental-property funds because those funds are restricted and their use can affect state matching or future flexibility.
Trustees asked for follow-up detail on carryover calculations and the financial impact of proposed changes to insurance and benefits. The board later voted to approve the proposed mill levies and the BOCES budget as presented for inclusion in the draft budget materials and scheduled additional budget work sessions.
