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Pennington County adopts provisional 2027 budget, directs staff to model 4% payroll reduction
Summary
The Pennington County Commission approved a provisional 2027 budget and instructed staff to model a 4% countywide payroll reduction and other scenarios ahead of final adoption, while scheduling additional hearings to refine reserves and outside-agency funding.
The Pennington County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a provisional 2027 budget and directed staff to return with modeled scenarios — including a 4% overall payroll reduction — before final adoption in September.
Commissioner Durst moved to approve the provisional budget “as submitted, and the total appropriations would be $135,000,005.74,” and the motion carried on a voice vote. Chair called for follow-up work on specific assumptions, saying the provisional adoption provides a statutory starting point while staff continue to refine the numbers.
Finance staff warned the numbers are preliminary and subject to change depending on personnel decisions and whether the commission elects to apply CPI growth, bank CPI or other adjustments. Staff noted the county must file provisional figures with the state by late July and adopt the final budget by the end of September. “This is very preliminary and subject to change,” the staff member said while reviewing Appendix D reporting to the state.
Commissioners scheduled additional budget hearings and special meetings to give department heads time to supply updated figures and to allow the commission to consider specific reductions, mandate vs. non-mandated cuts, and the timing of COLA and step increases. The board directed staff to return with numbers that reflect the 4% payroll guidance and alternatives, and set a public hearing date for August 18 to continue the discussion.
The action preserves the county’s ability to revise the tentative figures through August and September. Next procedural steps: staff will produce revised budgets under the direction given and the commission will meet again to consider targeted motions and final adoption.
