Commissioners weigh special funding requests, airport contribution and possible COLA as budget tightens

Commissioners reviewed a set of special funding requests from community organizations and discussed a separate proposed contribution to Yellowstone Regional Airport (YRA).

Staff summarized past practice of supporting senior centers, youth programs and non‑profits; requests this year varied and some organizations did not submit requests. The City of Cody told the board it had budgeted $95,000 for airport infrastructure and asked the county to consider a matching contribution. Commissioners did not commit a dollar figure during the session and asked for a formal agreement and better cost estimates before any county allocation; one commissioner proposed a $10,000 placeholder pending an agreement, while others expressed reluctance to finalize a large commitment without clearer numbers.

Separately, commissioners and finance staff reviewed potential compensation changes — cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and step increases — and presented rough cost estimates for several options (examples discussed: $0.50 COLA, 1%–2% ranges and step pools). Staff noted the county’s insurance fund held reserves that could, in part, absorb a 7.2% premium increase; commissioners asked staff to model budgets both with and without using insurance reserves and to return with figures at the July 7 work session.

No final awards or personnel decisions were made; several items were left as placeholders pending final budget reconciliation.