Weston County adopts fiscal year 2025-26 budget; commissioners urge stronger pre-spending communication

The Weston County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt resolution 2025-16, formally approving the county’s fiscal year 2025-26 budget and authorizing the board’s signature on the resolution.

During discussion, Commissioner Miss Smith asked that staff implement a procedure or memo instructing department heads to consult with the board or notify commissioners before spending that requires budget adjustments. “We would appreciate having a conversation prior to emergencies of people spending over their budget,” Miss Smith said during the deliberation, asking for clearer pre-spending communication to reduce the number of later budget-adjustment hearings.

Commissioners discussed the county’s cash reserve. One commissioner noted that although a $3,300,000 cash reserve can sound large, monthly bills had recently been about $1,500,000; the board discussed the importance of maintaining a healthy reserve while also monitoring spending. The board also discussed a restricted opioid-settlement fund referred to in the meeting as “NOAT.” County staff explained the fund is proceeds from opioid-related settlements that must be spent on drug-related purposes; staff said those funds had been used to pay for a drug-detection K-9 for the sheriff’s department.

A motion to approve the board’s signature on resolution 2025-16 was moved and seconded; the board approved the resolution by voice vote. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Commissioners asked staff to consider a standard memo or notification step when departments spend above budget to allow earlier review by the board.