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Laramie County commissioners approve FY2026 budget, add reserves and staff pay provisions
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a FY2026 county budget that officials said totals a little over $304 million, establishes a $15.7 million salary reserve and includes merit raises and new positions budgeted at roughly $2.5 million combined; the board also approved FY2025 technical amendments after a public hearing with no speakers.
The Laramie County Board of County Commissioners approved the county’s fiscal year 2026 budget following presentations by the county clerk’s office and finance staff, and also adopted proposed amendments to the FY2025 budget after a public hearing that produced no public comment.
The county’s finance director, Stanley Walker, told the commission the total county budget is "a little over 304,000,000," covering 31 separate funds and including grant and restricted funds beyond the general fund. He said the general fund revenue for the year is about $63,600,000 and that salaries and benefits account for roughly 55.6% of general fund expenditures.
County clerk (the county clerk’s office) introduced the budget and recommended approval, saying the proposal is balanced and complies with Wyoming statutes and generally accepted accounting principles. Walker described the county’s conservative approach to revenue forecasting and said most FY2025 amendments were to add grants received after last year’s budget adoption.
Commissioners discussed reserves, personnel changes and the budget review process. Walker highlighted total county reserves of $113,000,000, and the creation of a $15,700,000 salary reserve intended to help fund raises over time. The adopted FY2026 budget includes personnel changes—new positions and reclassifications—that Walker estimated would cost a little over $800,000 if filled for a full year, and the budget also accounts for merit increases and bonuses estimated at about $1,700,000.
The motion to approve the FY2025 budget amendments was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded; the clerk recorded a roll call and the motion passed without recorded opposition. Later, a motion to approve the FY2026 budget as presented was moved and seconded; commissioners praised staff and the extensive review process (17 public department meetings were cited) and the clerk recorded a roll call with all present commissioners voting in favor.
The board’s action adopts the budget documents presented by the county clerk and finance office and establishes the reserves and personnel provisions described by Walker. The meeting record indicates the public hearings on both the FY2025 amendments and the FY2026 budget produced no in‑person or online comments.
Next procedural steps: the clerk closed the hearings and the commission adjourned after concluding agenda items.
