Rangely council approves June financials amid concern over $1 million gap

The Rangely Town Council voted July 22 to approve the June 2025 financial statement while warning the town is running significantly over target and that some revenues remain uncertain.

At the meeting the mayoral presiding official said the books showed the town "a million over" compared with last year and described the figure as "quite alarming." The town manager told council that higher expenditures — including a $200,000 payment to Wolf Creek and a $285,000 grader purchase — combined with revenue shortfalls explain most of the gap: "Our expenses are up about $150,000 while our revenue is down about $100,000," a staff member reported. Council members pressed for rapid budget reviews and for department heads to justify lines that are already above target.

The manager said several projected state revenues (severance/mineral lease receipts) remain uncertain and that staff have placed available RARE grant funds into a money-market account because any interest must be returned to the program. "We're under our revenue projections and what we're going to get from the state is far from being sure," the town manager said, urging caution as the council begins the budget process.

A motion to approve the financials was made and seconded; the council approved the statement on a voice vote. Council directed staff to meet with department heads next week to review capital and operating lines and to return with recommendations for tightening expenditures.

The council did not adopt any new spending measures at the meeting; next steps are internal budget reviews and continued monitoring of state revenue prospects.