Garfield County adopts 2024 close and 2025 budgets, records 3% COLA and $0.40 market adjustment

The Garfield County Commission opened public hearings on closing the 2024 budget and on the proposed 2025 budget. A county auditor and clerk explained that year-to-date property-tax receipts printed before end-of-November transfers explain low interim collections, and recommended transferring $4.2 million to the capital improvement fund because the general-fund surplus exceeded the legal carry limit.

A member of the public, identified on the record as Mister Desai, questioned tax receipts, county surplus and compliance with statutory classifications and salary rules. County staff answered that property-tax timing drives the appearance of low collections and that state law adjusts tax rates when assessed values rise unless the county pursues truth-in-taxation to change the rate. Staff said final 2024 surpluses will not be available until after year-end processing in February.

Commissioners moved to adopt the 2024 budget as presented and to transfer the recommended surplus to capital accounts. They then opened and closed a public hearing on the 2025 budget and recorded a 3% cost-of-living increase and a $0.40-per-hour market adjustment for all elected officials and county employees on the record as required by state law; the commission then adopted the 2025 budget.

Why it matters: The transfers and adopted pay adjustments affect county capital planning, payroll obligations and the county’s fiscal reserves. County staff said the actions avoid borrowing and do not raise property-tax rates this year.

Public comments and questions from Mister Desai prompted staff to clarify state rules on county classification, property-tax rate adjustments and the timing of surplus reporting; commissioners noted final figures will be reported once 2024 closes.

The commission recorded motions and approved both the 2024 closing actions and the 2025 budget and compensation adjustments on the public record.