City Manager Tom told the Rawlins City Council at a new-member training session that the city's general fund is about $12,000,000 and that roughly 89.66% of that comes from taxes and assessments, including sales, property and lodging taxes. "It's right at about $12,000,000 and 89.66 percent of that or roughly 90% is taxes and assessments," Tom said.

Tom said the council currently counts about 87 general-fund positions (as recorded in the presentation) and that enterprise funds add staff that raise the total employee count; he said the city had frozen five vacant positions to balance the FY25 budget. "To the right, in order to accomplish this, we have frozen 5 different vacant positions ... 3 police officers, parts technician, and a project coordinator at the DDA," he said.

Why it matters: The briefing emphasized how Rawlins depends on tax revenue that can fluctuate with major projects and one-time grants. Tom noted revenue has declined from a 2021 high tied to local wind projects and said council made specific cuts to present a balanced budget: capital outlays were capped at $1,000,000 and some street work was deferred. "We just figured all the street projects would have to be pushed off till we could bring the budget back in," he said.

Supporting details from the presentation: intergovernmental revenue has fallen since COVID and ARPA funds, interest income has risen with higher market rates, and miscellaneous new sources (including increased receipts from horse racing) have been recorded and will be reflected in the next budget. Tom said the fiscal team aims for more council engagement during the coming budget season and expects to circulate department budget work papers next week.

Ending: Tom invited questions and told council members he is available during the budget process. Mayor Weichem and City Attorney Penita Midbury attended the training and participated in later legal and meeting-procedure modules.