Commissioners adopt 2026 budget calendar after extended scheduling discussion

Rio Blanco County commissioners approved the county’s 2026 budget calendar at their July 22, 2025 meeting, finalizing key dates for budget work sessions, public notice, the public hearing and final adoption.

The board and staff spent an extended period reviewing calendar dates to ensure coordination with department budget scrubs, assessor deadlines and public‑hearing publication windows. Staff said department budget scrubs will be scheduled separately and that the calendar posted for public notice does not include those internal meetings.

Key calendar items confirmed by the board include: a combined budget work session on Sept. 18, 2025, starting at 9:00 a.m. (staff recommended consolidating prior planned sessions into a single work session), a public/hearing evening meeting on Nov. 3, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m. for public comment, and final budget adoption set for Dec. 12, 2025 (with levy certification taking place before the statutory deadline later in December). Staff said the county will publish notice according to statutory timelines and will file the audit extension (see Votes at a glance for that action) as required.

Commissioners emphasized flexibility in scheduling and the need to complete budget scrubs before the Sept. 18 work session. The board voted to approve the calendar; recorded roll‑call votes showed Commissioner Overton Aye, Commissioner O'Harend Aye and Commissioner Scratchfield Aye.

Staff will circulate the final schedule and publish notices in accordance with statutory requirements.