Fremont County outlines $68 million 2026 spending plan, stresses 3–4 month reserve policy

Fremont County commissioners said they will consider a set of resolutions in eight days to finalize the 2026 budget, including (1) a summary of expenditures, (2) the levying of general property taxes for 2025 collections, and (3) appropriation of sums to various funds.

Commissioner Kevin Grantham said total county expenditures across all funds — general fund, sheriff’s fund, airport fund and others — are roughly $68,000,000 and that the total is similar to last year’s budget. "The expenditures are roughly around $68,000,000 for the county," he said.

Commissioners emphasized fiscal prudence. Grantham and Debbie Bell described a reserve policy that holds approximately three to four months of operating expenses to ensure the county can function during severe revenue interruptions. "We keep a reserve balance for emergencies ... roughly around a third of what our annual expenses are," Grantham said. He noted the reserve is not intended for recurring spending.

Bell and Grantham also recalled the county’s difficult fiscal circumstances after the 2008 recession, when the county took steps such as reduced schedules and elected-official pay adjustments to preserve payroll. Commissioners said institutional memory and conservative budgeting helped restore stability.

The podcast did not include the formal text of the resolutions, specific mill rates, or a recorded vote. Officials urged residents with questions to contact the commissioners’ office and noted the budget typically comes back under actual expenditures.