The Powder River County Commissioners set the County’s Preliminary Budgets on Monday. At this meeting, it was noted that Oil & Gas revenues, as well as Federal Mineral Royalties, and State Entitlements are up from last year. What this means is that levies will remain the same as last year – a nice change after last year when some budgets were cut and taxpayers were worried their taxes would increase.

County employees will have a $0.20 per hour raise this year, while elected officials and sheriff’s deputies will not gain a cost of living allowance raise, as was previously reported. The reason for this change is because two of the three commissioners voted against the raise, and per statute such a vote negates the passage, even with a majority vote.

Cathy Landa, Justice of the Peace, was on hand to ask about her position, which as currently planned will be reduced in hours, on January 1st. No changes were made to that plan, as of now the position will be reduced from full-time to 3/5 time, pending current litigation which is working its way through the court system.

The meeting was then adjourned. The budgets will be officially set into stone on Monday, September 4th.

The Commissioners commented following the meeting that if anyone has any questions or problems, to reach out to them or attend a meeting.