Fremont County adopts $66.7 million 2025 budget and levies 12.325 mills in special meeting

The Fremont County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt a $66,723,051 budget for the 2025 calendar year and approved a property tax levy of 12.325 mills during a special meeting. The board also passed final appropriation measures and related certification steps needed to complete the county’s 2025 budget process.

Budget and finance officer Shawn Sutton told the commissioners the total expenditures requested for adoption are $66,723,051 and provided a breakout by fund. He said the assessor’s final valuation totaled $616,667,601 and that the county’s certified mill levy is 12.325 mills, which the county expects will generate $7,600,428 in property tax revenue for 2025.

The budget resolution the board adopted allocates funding across multiple county funds the finance officer identified, including the general fund, human services fund, road and bridge, capital expenditures and the airport. Commissioners noted the large increase in the sheriff’s fund over the last 14 years: “When I first came in, the sheriff’s fund was being budgeted around $3,900,000, and 14 years later, we’re up to 13,500,000,” Commissioner Grantham said during discussion.

Commissioners moved and approved three formal resolutions to complete the budget process: (1) adoption of the budget and summary of expenditures (Resolution No. 39, Series of 2024); (2) levying general property taxes to fund the 2025 budget (Resolution No. 40, Series of 2024); and (3) appropriating sums of money to the county’s funds and spending agencies (Resolution No. 41, Series of 2024). Each resolution was moved, seconded and approved by roll call. The board also discussed the certification process for mill levies and the timeline for sending the certificate to the state, with county staff saying they expect to finalize and transmit the certificate to the state by Dec. 23.

Commissioners and staff thanked members of the assessor and finance offices and named employees who helped compile levy certifications: Stacy Seifert, Sherice Hall and Dana King. County Administrator Tony Croce was identified as the official who will review and sign the compiled mill levy certification before it is transmitted to the state. Assistant District Attorney Stacy Turner was introduced to the board during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution No. 39, Series of 2024 — “Resolution summarizing expenditures for each fund and adopting a budget for the County of Fremont, Colorado for the calendar year beginning Jan. 1, 2025 and ending Dec. 31, 2025.” Moved by Commissioner Grantham; second not specified in the record. Roll call: Grantham — Aye; Bell — Aye; McFall — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution No. 40, Series of 2024 — “Levying general property taxes for the year 2024 to help defray the cost of government for the County of Fremont, Colorado for the 2025 budget year.” Mover and seconder not specified in the record. Roll call: Bell — Aye; Grantham — Aye; McFall — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution No. 41, Series of 2024 — “Appropriating sums of money to the various funds and spending agencies in the amounts and for the purposes set forth for the County of Fremont, Colorado for the 2025 budget year.” Moved by Commissioner Grantham; second not specified in the record. Roll call: Grantham — Aye; Bell — Aye; McFall — Aye. Outcome: approved.

The board noted that some entities (townships and special districts) were late in submitting mill levy certifications and that staff were working to finalize two remaining certificates before the county’s certification is sent to the state. County staff said the county’s process delegates authority to the county administrator to sign the certification to speed submission to the state.

Additional details recorded during the meeting: the assessor’s total assessed valuation of $616,667,601; the county mill levy certification of 12.325 mills (broken into general fund 8.422, Road and Bridge 0.850, Department of Social Services 2.701, and airport 0.321); projected tax collections from those mills of $7,600,428; and other fund amounts cited by the finance officer during his presentation. Staff and commissioners thanked finance and assessor staff for the months-long work required to compile the budget and levy certifications.

The board adjourned after completing the budget resolutions and the certification discussion.