Grand County Clerk says midyear budget amendment cuts planned draw on savings by about $102,000

Gabe Wojcick, the county’s clerk and auditor, told the commission the midyear amendment would reduce the budgeted draw from the general‑fund balance from $345,824 to $243,633 after updating revenue and expenditure projections.

"The approved original 2026 budget had a draw from the fund balance... 345,824. With a variety of adjustments being proposed in this amendment, that draw from savings... is reduced to 243,633," Wojcick said during his presentation. He explained the change came largely from stronger‑than‑expected sales‑and‑use‑tax receipts and revised projections for transient room tax collections following a rate change.

Wojcick walked commissioners through the summary document he prepared to condense a long budget packet into an accessible sheet, noting that many other funds (roads, library capital, etc.) are self‑funded and that most of the midyear amendments there are revenue adjustments rather than new general‑fund spending. He also identified that salary and benefits projections had increased since adoption, adding roughly $234,000 to overall personnel costs for the year.

Commissioners asked follow‑up questions about downside risk if revenue projections do not materialize. One commissioner summarized the tradeoff: "If we don't meet these projections, that number could be larger," to which Wojcick replied that a larger shortfall would require a bigger draw from savings or additional adjustments to expenses.

Wojcick recommended the commission use the amended projection to open a public hearing in August and consider final action at the second meeting in August, in line with the county’s amendment process. The commission did not take a final vote on the amendment at this workshop; staff said they would present a public‑hearing packet at the August meeting.