Rio Blanco County presents proposed 2026 budget; commissioners set adoption hearing for Dec. 9 at 8 a.m.

Rio Blanco County leaders presented the proposed 2026 draft budget at a special Nov. 10 meeting, showing a strong overall reserve position and a plan to reduce the amount drawn from fund balance next year. County Administrator Vicky, joined by Lisa from finance, briefed the Board of County Commissioners on revenue assumptions, key capital projects and post-wildfire recovery needs and said the board will finalize adoption at a Dec. 9 public hearing set for 8 a.m.

The presentation said the county’s beginning fund balance for 2026 is projected at roughly $38.7 million, following a modest projected addition to the 2025 balance. “Beginning fund balance up here across the top is used as a source in the budget,” Lisa said while walking commissioners through reconciled numbers and comparisons to the adopted 2025 budget and audited 2024 figures (presentation materials provided in the budget book).

Why it matters: the county’s tax base is concentrated in volatile sectors. The administrator warned commissioners that oil, gas and property together accounted for about 78% of the assessed valuation, making property-tax revenue sensitive to market and legislative changes. Officials also emphasized recovery from the summer…