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Park County approves FY 2026 school district budgets; mills rise as taxable values fall
Summary
After reviewing signature pages and a district mill-levy spreadsheet, commissioners approved FY 2026 school district budgets; staff said a state change reduced county transportation share, while requested mills rose because taxable values fell.
Park County commissioners approved the fiscal 2026 school district budgets and the mills requested by the districts during the Sept. 4 meeting.
Lisa, the presenter for the school district packet, told commissioners the packet contained 10 signature pages for individual districts and a spreadsheet showing district mill levies. Lisa said a recent legislative change shifted transportation funding so the state now covers three-quarters of transportation costs and the county covers one-quarter, which reduced county exposure for that line item. "Because of a bill that went through the legislature, the state is paying 3 quarters, and the county is just paying a quarter," she said.
Lisa noted districts requested more mills overall than in 2024–25 — roughly five mills higher countywide in the spreadsheet — even though per-pupil costs remained roughly steady at just over $15,000. Erica added that once commissioners sign the district signature pages they become part of the consolidated levies submitted to the Department of Revenue.
Commissioner Vermillion moved to approve the FY 2026 school district budgets "including the mills they are requesting." The motion was seconded, and the board approved the school district budgets by voice vote.
Why this matters: School district mill levies determine local property-tax support for district operations and capital needs; changes in taxable values can force districts to seek higher mills to maintain funding levels.
The board completed the school budget approvals and adjourned the meeting.
