Natrona County commissioners approved a financial plan Tuesday that will provide the Natrona County Fire Protection District with a $500,000 advance to cover operational costs and secure equipment.
The funding consists of two mechanisms: a $250,000 prepayment from the district’s fiscal year 2027 one-cent sales tax money and a $250,000 advance from upcoming Anticline mineral royalty funds. County Clerk Tracy Good presented the plan, saying the Anticline advance is expected to be repaid or transferred by March 2026.
Fire Chief Brian Oliver detailed how the $500,000 will be spent, saying the funds will secure the department’s major expenses for the next few years. Specifically, $160,000 is earmarked for the down payment on two Type 1 fire engines. An additional $160,000 will be held in reserve to cover the first payment for those engines, which is due in January 2026.
The district also faces a need to repair the septic drain field system at the Robertson Road station, as the system is not draining. The department is working to get the necessary permits and engineer drawings to begin the septic repairs before winter sets in.
Oliver confirmed that the fire district’s general fund contained $230,000 as of Tuesday afternoon, but estimated that total October bills would reach about $255,000. Immediate expenses include two biweekly payrolls this month and September’s retirement bill, estimated to cost up to $75,000.
To ease the financial burden, the department has already cut, primarily in staffing and overtime, resulting in a reduction of about $120,000 per month. The district was also able to move a $49,000 insurance payment from July to August.
