GILLETTE, Wyo. — Campbell County commissioners announced this morning that they have completed a provisional budget review of all Campbell County Government departments and 1% funding requests.
The board minimally decreased the provisional fiscal year 2023–24 budget by nearly $1 million from the fiscal year 2022–23 budget, according to the budget statement.
“Through focused workshops and collaboration with departments to take a deep dive into budget request, needs and priorities, Campbell County Government has been able to minimally decrease the provisional budget for fiscal year 2023/2024 by approximately $900,043,” the statement said. “The approved budget for fiscal year 2022/2023 came in at $150,859,944.96, for the fiscal year 2023/2024 the provisional numbers are calculated to be $149,929,902.08.”
The common theme at budget meetings and workshops was “hold the line.”
“The responsibility of fiduciary oversight and measured control of taxpayer money remains a high priority for Campbell County Government,” the budget statement said. “When the initial budget message was shared to departments in January 2023, the commissioners asked all departments to recognize the employees as the most valuable asset to the county while doing their best to prioritize projects and recognize the need to maintain a budget close to the approved 2021/2022 fiscal year.”
Campbell County employees are due to get a cost-of-living raise of 2% and potential merit raise increases of up to 3%, with an additional 1% retained to fund a future merit raise account, the message said. The county will also fund approved major capital construction projects, such as the remodel of the Annex Building and the addition of a fourth judicial district courtroom. Those two projects provide for the incoming judge who will aid Campbell County speed up facilitating Sixth Judicial District Court cases.
The county is also relocating Bishop Road and T-7 Road to allow local mining companies access to millions of tons of coal and extend the life of mine sites, the message said. The county seeks to support mineral revenue and sustain local employment as mining companies continue to extract and sell Powder River Basin coal.
In addition to major capital construction project funds carried over to the new fiscal year, other carried-over projects include capital purchases such as fleet updates for a total carry-over cost of approximately $12.9 million, according to the message. The grant funds budgeted into fiscal year 2023–24 are about $29.7 million. The funds have to be budgeted into available money prior to reimbursement to the county.
Commissioners will meet with special districts to review proposed budgets June 5.
A public hearing will be scheduled regarding the adoption of the county budget. That meeting is slated for 6 p.m. June 19. The official hearing date will be published with the proposed budget.
“The Campbell County Commissioners remain committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency of government while protecting future assets of Campbell County,” the message said.
