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Eagle County School District adopts balanced 2026–27 budget; board also OKs fund‑balance and interfund borrowing resolutions
Summary
The board adopted the 2026–27 budget and appropriations (resolution 2025/26‑13), approving a financially balanced general fund for the first time in seven years while noting staff reductions and expected health‑insurance increases; related fund‑balance use and interfund borrowing resolutions also passed 6–0.
The Eagle County School District Board of Education on Wednesday adopted the district’s 2026–27 budget and related resolutions, approving a balanced general fund for the coming fiscal year and authorizing routine fiscal tools for cash management.
District finance presenter Bryson Bieber walked trustees through revenue and expenditure assumptions, saying the budget reflects modest revenue growth after several state formula changes and an expectation of a 20% increase in health‑insurance premiums for 2027. Bieber said the district plans to cover health‑insurance increases for one year and noted the budget assumes lane advancement for certified staff. "The general fund will be balanced for the first time in seven years," he said.
Bieber described the levers used to balance the budget: staff reductions totaling 42 FTE (about 7% of the staff base), most of which he attributed to declining enrollment, departmental reductions and other operating cuts, plus transfers to capital reserves. "So that was a key lever that we had to pull, to make this balanced budget," Bieber said. He also noted planned transfers including $1.1 million annually to the capital reserve and continuing support for preschool, transportation and nutrition funds.
After discussion, a motion was made to adopt the 2026–27 budget and appropriate each fund under resolution 2025/26‑13 for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026; the motion passed 6–0. The board also approved a fund‑balance‑use resolution (2025/26‑14) authorizing limited use of reserves if needed, and an interfund‑borrowing resolution (2025/26‑15) that authorizes borrowing from pooled district cash for short‑term needs; both passed 6–0.
Key numbers presented: an expected 1.1% net program revenue growth after formula and enrollment effects; a projected 20% rise in health‑insurance premiums for 2027 (covered by the district for one year); reductions of approximately 42 FTE; a recommended $1.1 million annual transfer to capital reserve; and an estimated ending general‑fund balance of about $7.1 million.
Vote details: Adopt 2026–27 budget (resolution 2025/26‑13) — mover: Juan (speaker 12); second: Gretchen (speaker 11); vote: 6–0. Fund‑balance resolution (2025/26‑14) — mover: Harry (speaker 4); second: Chair (speaker 1); vote: 6–0. Interfund‑borrowing resolution (2025/26‑15) — mover: Harry (speaker 4); second: Chair (speaker 1); vote: 6–0.
Bieber recommended continued focus on rebuilding reserves to board policy minimums and plans to return with details on capital projects and refinancing opportunities.
