Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the County Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Park County adopts final budget, signs resolution fixing 2025–26 tax levies
Summary
Park County commissioners voted to adopt the county’s final budget and set tax levies for fiscal 2025–26 after a staff presentation and limited discussion about departmental overages and reserve pressures.
Park County commissioners on Sept. 4 adopted a resolution to approve the county’s final budget and fix tax levies for the 2025–26 fiscal year.
County staff member Erica summarized the proposed budget and levy figures, saying, “So a few adjustments to the fairgrounds, which actually saves about $2,500,” and describing how a grant allowed staff to reallocate funds to address millings on Horse Creek Road. Erica said the countywide mill was being applied based on a reported value of "$89,266 per mill" and listed levies including "62.3 countywide mills for the general mill levy" and "51.02 mills for roads, mosquito, ambulance, library, planning... and search and rescue."
The measures passed after brief commissioner discussion about larger budget pressures. Commissioner Mike asked whether the sheriff’s office overage had increased from about $285,000 to roughly $305,000, saying it "looks like we're worse off than we were last year" and warning the county could draw down reserves. Erica said proposed figures reflect values presented earlier and that final cash balancing will depend on year-end cash. Commissioner Vermillion described efforts to trim the sheriff’s budget while noting increasing demands on law enforcement, and Commissioner Wells thanked departments for holding to their budgets and warned that the county has lost purchasing power over time.
Chair moved to sign the resolution to adopt the final budget and fix the tax levies; a commissioner seconded with reservations, and the board passed the resolution by voice vote. The transcript records voiced “ayes” in response to the call for the question; a detailed roll-call tally was not recorded in the meeting transcript.
Why this matters: Adopting the budget and setting levies establishes the county’s spending plan and tax rates for the coming fiscal year. Commissioners flagged risks to reserves and continuing cost pressures in departments such as the sheriff’s office.
The board adjourned after completing the budget votes and moved on to consider school district signature pages and mill levies.
