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Commissioners weigh special funding requests, airport contribution and possible COLA as budget tightens
Summary
Commissioners considered community funding requests, debated a City of Cody/airport request for a three-way split on airport infrastructure up to $95,000, and discussed countywide COLA/step options and using insurance reserves to absorb premium increases.
Commissioners reviewed a set of special funding requests from community organizations and discussed a separate proposed contribution to Yellowstone Regional Airport (YRA).
Staff summarized past practice of supporting senior centers, youth programs and non‑profits; requests this year varied and some organizations did not submit requests. The City of Cody told the board it had budgeted $95,000 for airport infrastructure and asked the county to consider a matching contribution. Commissioners did not commit a dollar figure during the session and asked for a formal agreement and better cost estimates before any county allocation; one commissioner proposed a $10,000 placeholder pending an agreement, while others expressed reluctance to finalize a large commitment without clearer numbers.
Separately, commissioners and finance staff reviewed potential compensation changes — cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and step increases — and presented rough cost estimates for several options (examples discussed: $0.50 COLA, 1%–2% ranges and step pools). Staff noted the county’s insurance fund held reserves that could, in part, absorb a 7.2% premium increase; commissioners asked staff to model budgets both with and without using insurance reserves and to return with figures at the July 7 work session.
No final awards or personnel decisions were made; several items were left as placeholders pending final budget reconciliation.
