Big Horn County Commission adopts 2025–26 budget; resident warns library cuts could close branches

The Big Horn County Commission adopted its 2025–26 budget and several related resolutions at a special session on July 10, 2025, after County Clerk Lori Smallwood presented closing‑year transfer adjustments and the commission approved appropriation measures.

Chairman Deb Craft called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Committee member Neves moved to approve the agenda as presented; the motion was seconded and carried. Smallwood then presented Transfer of Funds Resolution #3 for 2024–2025 closing budget entries and described adjustments made within each fund allocation that originated when the budget was approved in July 2023. Neves moved to approve the transfer resolution; the motion was seconded and carried.

During a public question period, Tina Ely asked how the mill levy is set and how library funding is calculated from that levy. Lori Smallwood, the county clerk, and the commissioners explained that the county allocates from an allowed 12 mills and that the mill noted for the library on budget forms is intended to prevent the county from over‑allocating its total levy. Ely said the budget cuts under discussion could force closures of some library locations; the transcript records the concern but does not include a formal commitment or a staff plan to prevent closures.

Following those exchanges, Smallwood presented the final budget document for 2025–26 and the commission approved the budget and related measures. Neves moved to approve the 2025–26 budget and Appropriation Resolution #1; Bruce Jolley moved to approve Resolution #2, the measure described as providing the income necessary to finance the budget. Neves also moved to approve the county’s statement of borrowing capacity. Each motion was seconded and carried; the transcript records that motions were carried but does not provide vote tallies or names of the seconders.

Votes at a glance: 2025–26 budget (final adoption) — mover: Neves; outcome: approved (motion seconded and carried; vote tally not specified in transcript). Appropriation Resolution #1 — mover: Neves; outcome: approved (seconded and carried; vote tally not specified). Resolution #2 (to provide income necessary to finance the budget) — mover: Bruce Jolley; outcome: approved (seconded and carried; vote tally not specified). Transfer of Funds Resolution #3 (2024–2025 closing entries) — mover: Neves; outcome: approved (seconded and carried; vote tally not specified). Statement of borrowing capacity — mover: Neves; outcome: approved (seconded and carried; vote tally not specified).

The meeting was adjourned and County Clerk Lori Smallwood certified the minutes as a full and complete copy of the proceedings for July 10, 2025.