Pitkin County adopts $312 million 2026 budget and certifies 2025 mill levies

Pitkin County officials approved the county’s final 2026 budget and a resolution levying general property taxes for 2025 during a special meeting on Dec. 9.

Budget staff told the board the 2026 budget includes total revenue of $301,600,000 and total expenditures of $312,000,000; the gap (about $10.5 million) is covered from prior‑year savings primarily to fund capital projects. Staff explained state statute requires appropriation of transfers in addition to expenditures and said adjusted totals for transfers increase the appropriation amount shown in the resolution.

The board voted to approve the budget resolution as amended (adjustments included property tax and treasurer’s fee updates and the addition of one FTE in the open space and trails fund). In separate action, the board opened and closed a public hearing on the mill levies, confirmed numbers submitted to the treasurer, and approved a resolution levying general property taxes for 2025 (transcript records a voice vote with ayes recorded).

Budget staff also discussed the Healthy Community Fund and fund balance levels, noting that TABOR requires a reserve (staff estimated about $130,000 given the final numbers) and that the Healthy Community Fund balance planned to spend down $235,000 in 2026. The board asked for a debrief on the fiscal process and for staff to consider improvements to the budget timeline and stakeholder engagement for the 2026 process.

The resolutions were approved by voice vote; the transcript records ayes but does not include a roll‑call tally in the meeting record.