Sheridan treasurer says city "right on track" after first-quarter budget review
October 20, 2025 | Sheridan, Sheridan County, Wyoming
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City Treasurer Darla Hawkins told the Sheridan City Council on Oct. 20 that the city’s fiscal-year-2026 finances are generally on track after a first-quarter budget-to-actuals review covering July 1 through Sept. 30.
Hawkins reviewed major fund balances and expenditure categories, saying salary and benefits remain the largest cost in the general fund and that capital outlay shows an overage tied to cemetery pump replacements. "There’s additional parts that were needed in order to have the pumps work to its entirety," Hawkins said, and council was told the extra cost will be covered from the general-fund contingency.
Hawkins also reviewed GPET and sales-and-use tax receipts. The city budgets roughly $5.9 million in sales-and-use tax for the general fund; Hawkins reported the year-to-date amount at about $1.7 million and said collections are above where they were at the same time last year. The treasurer said the monthly transfers to GPET-funded projects occur as sales-and-use-tax receipts arrive.
On enterprise funds, Hawkins described transfers from the water and sewer funds that support large capital projects. She cited South Downtown and North/Northeast transmission projects for the water fund and the self-clarifier and wastewater treatment plant improvements for sewer.
Hawkins provided an investments update and explained the city’s use of a "shadow account" at First Federal to keep larger cash balances insured and accessible. "It’s still very easily accessible... all of our money is fully insured," Hawkins said in response to a council question about the account.
Council member Steve asked whether there were items of concern; Hawkins replied, "Nope. We're right on track." The treasurer said the city will review investments biannually going forward and staff continue to monitor opportunities to improve returns while maintaining liquidity.
Clarifying details from the report
- General fund budget estimate for sales-and-use tax: about $5.9 million for FY26; YTD reported ~ $1.7 million.
- Cemetery pump replacement required additional parts; overage to be covered by general-fund contingency.
- Significant capital-transfer projects referenced: South Downtown and North/Northeast transmission (water fund); self-clarifier and wastewater treatment plant improvements (sewer fund); Cell 9 remediation and landfill building (solid waste).
Ending: Hawkins said staff will continue monthly reporting; council had no further budget questions at the meeting and thanked the treasurer for the update.
Hawkins reviewed major fund balances and expenditure categories, saying salary and benefits remain the largest cost in the general fund and that capital outlay shows an overage tied to cemetery pump replacements. "There’s additional parts that were needed in order to have the pumps work to its entirety," Hawkins said, and council was told the extra cost will be covered from the general-fund contingency.
Hawkins also reviewed GPET and sales-and-use tax receipts. The city budgets roughly $5.9 million in sales-and-use tax for the general fund; Hawkins reported the year-to-date amount at about $1.7 million and said collections are above where they were at the same time last year. The treasurer said the monthly transfers to GPET-funded projects occur as sales-and-use-tax receipts arrive.
On enterprise funds, Hawkins described transfers from the water and sewer funds that support large capital projects. She cited South Downtown and North/Northeast transmission projects for the water fund and the self-clarifier and wastewater treatment plant improvements for sewer.
Hawkins provided an investments update and explained the city’s use of a "shadow account" at First Federal to keep larger cash balances insured and accessible. "It’s still very easily accessible... all of our money is fully insured," Hawkins said in response to a council question about the account.
Council member Steve asked whether there were items of concern; Hawkins replied, "Nope. We're right on track." The treasurer said the city will review investments biannually going forward and staff continue to monitor opportunities to improve returns while maintaining liquidity.
Clarifying details from the report
- General fund budget estimate for sales-and-use tax: about $5.9 million for FY26; YTD reported ~ $1.7 million.
- Cemetery pump replacement required additional parts; overage to be covered by general-fund contingency.
- Significant capital-transfer projects referenced: South Downtown and North/Northeast transmission (water fund); self-clarifier and wastewater treatment plant improvements (sewer fund); Cell 9 remediation and landfill building (solid waste).
Ending: Hawkins said staff will continue monthly reporting; council had no further budget questions at the meeting and thanked the treasurer for the update.
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