Local governments across the Cowboy State are feeling the squeeze of shrinking budgets and Cheyenne is no exception.

The Wyoming Legislature has yet to finalize its budget, but it looks like cities and counties will receive somewhere between $90-105 million for the next biennium.

"The governor recommended $90 million for local government," said Mayor Rick Kaysen. "If we stay at $90 million, the City of Cheyenne would receive approximately $3.6 million, which would be $1.2 million less than we received for the current biennium. If we receive the $105 million, then we'd be about $600,000 less."

As of January 31, the city was $600,000 below forecast on revenues and $1.1 million below forecast on expenditures.

"We're going to have a very difficult time with the revenues as projected and especially those dollars we may receive from the State of Wyoming," said Kaysen. "I'm sure there will be gaps, which means there will not be enough revenue to meet some of the requested expenditures."

"We're going to have to make, I anticipate, some significant adjustments," Kaysen added.

Kaysen hopes to present his budget to the city council in mid-May.

Joy Greenwald, Townsquare Media
Joy Greenwald, Townsquare Media
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