Carbon County Remains on Firm Financial Footing Despite Pressures as State and Cities Cut Funding for Services
By Denise Rivette
Carbon County’s administration reports that the County’s “financial status remains solid”. The infusion of cash from American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Local Agency and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) more than made up for losses from other sources in Fiscal Year 2023. Reserves are currently less than the maximum allowed by law because cash has been moved to bankroll Capital Improvement Funds and to allow for increasing costs. ARPA and LATCF programs ended in 2023 but funds remain to be allocated through 2024. Overall, the situation is as follows:
“Our county-wide taxable valuation for fiscal year 2023 increased by 9.94% and our rural taxable valuation for road purposes increased by 11.36%. The revenues from Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) decreased $32,079. Federal Mineral Royalties and Oil & Gas Production increased by $117,371 and $142,651 respectively from the previous year. Federal Mineral Royalty payments have started to increase over the last several years and were back to their historical levels in 2022. Oil and Gas revenues remain roughly seventy five percent (75%) of their historic levels, about $190,000 lower than they were in the early 2000s. These funds are very valuable to help offset the cost of Search and Rescue Operations, Ambulance Services, increases in public safety expenses, salaries/benefits, road and bridge maintenance, and other operating costs. There is always a demand for increased services, while we continue to provide maintenance and upkeep on our existing assets.”
For budget year 2023-2024, the County is keeping our mills at the maximum level allowed by state statute to “cover the increasing costs of running a county government”. The County made contributions to Capital Improvement Funds for:
10 vehicle replacements throughout the county
Election equipment upgrades (new tabulators)
3 copier replacements
Road Department machinery and equipment
Expansion of the Bridger Road Shop
Construction of a new sand shed for the Red Lodge Road Shop
Future chip seal and striping of the Boyd Cooney Road
Fairgrounds bleacher upgrades
Airport improvements including runway repairs
Clerk and Recorder large format scanner/printer replacement
The County continues to build capital fund balances to better plan capital expenditures that can be funded over multiple years rather than relying on fund cash balances to finance projects. Budgeted transfers to Capital Improvement Funds totaled $296,360 in the 2023-2024 budget. The County has completed a Capital Improvement Plan to assist with future budgets, grant applications, and overall financial planning.
The County continues to evaluate our Radio and Dispatch Equipment. The litigation is settled with Industrial Communications regarding the defunct Simulcast Radio System. The County is evaluating how best to use settlement proceeds for the long-term maintenance of our radio system and system enhancements to address coverage issues including the addition of radio towers at Joliet, Roscoe, and Warren.
The County reminds citizens, “As the State and cities continue to cut back on their funding, there is increased pressure for more financial support from the County to keep existing programs functioning and growing. The County cannot fulfill all of these wants and wishes. The County will prioritize public needs, comparing the costs of services we provide with the benefits derived from those services. We are aware of the state government passing on increased demands to county governments. Counties have to be fiscally responsible to county taxpayers by protecting financial sources and our ability to serve the citizens of Carbon County.”
The County continues to study bridges and will replace as needed and as funding allows.
With funding provided by ARPA and LATCF, Carbon County purchased the old Cedar Wood Villa Building. The Commissioners began planning for the remodel of the building early in 2023 to consolidate as many County Offices as possible into one location. The cost of maintaining multiple old buildings continues to be a challenge. Commissioners are looking to accommodate the long-term facilities needs of the County as the project develops. Current possible plans include demolishing the existing building and replacing it with a two-story building designed to accommodate the functions of each department housed there.
The administration reports Carbon County is still recovering from the catastrophic flood event in June 2022. Both bridges on East Side Road and the Bridge on Meeteetse Trail over Rock Creek were a total loss and were replaced in the summer of 2023. Repairs to Dorvall Corner and Granite Road were also completed in the summer of 2023. Several other roadways, culverts, and the Edgar Sewer Lagoon received significant damage; repairs are ongoing and Carbon County is working with Federal, State, and local partners to continue flood recovery efforts. Carbon County also experienced a smaller flooding event in the spring of 2023. Significant changes in the topography and hydrology following the Robertson Draw fire have contributed to damage to County roads and culverts with each water event. Carbon County is working with State and Federal partners to determine what long-term solutions may be available to address the continued erosion issues.