[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6632446,"mediaKeyId","2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787","parentId",2675105,"title","Teton County commissioners continue SPET distribution; public urges more water funding","audioSeconds",3562,"startMs",624000,"endMs",4186000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787&start=624&end=4186","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787/thumbnail_624000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632446/Teton-County/Wyoming/Teton-County-commissioners-continue-SPET-distribution-public-urges-more-water-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632446-a025d635edf0fbea3700a35064b21271/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151136&Signature=OAqfReEXQGIc4XZFxGjfoYX6ojQ793oh6qInJYMPp7~A86CGLZxy8obgMnwVp5d8EMxTO~Mq~xnNIvq4QRi4SRBfhh81qR93ddoBZmCzY06hK8R6zrvn4ZEC8vv5QUwRykv3tg8Oq2XAmi4yyNdzU859jTfVlQ3SkFna~oDrUIvsI1qg9bSjsHvTFFSWFvAv-VIMPn~Jo2vcFRwiGmvz17qV~nm~6JP1MIerYMOFHwNy3KQiRFiDiIGJnA9gVyeglZS0zjEzunMxyvrE2LNmaL-9s1thShK-WSWtLLf5AlDfvnULJkAEifu2hqLuFKjKRaUzf8Crqhhmtl0AEUuS2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Teton County","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","Teton County commissioners continued consideration of the third‑year distribution schedule for the 2022 Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) after more than an hour of public comment urging greater funding for water‑quality projects and technical staff discussion about timing and cash flow.

Treasurer Katie Smits presented the draft schedule and said the combined requests from all SPET entities totaled about $53,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 while forecast revenue was roughly $24,000,000, leaving a shortfall of roughly $29,000,000. She described her outreach to applicants to verify readiness and alternate funding sources and noted the draft would allocate water projects only about $620,000 in the coming year. “I give them a list of how much is collected each month … $53,000,000 was asked for. There's only about 22,000,000 to go around,” Smits said during her presentation.

Public speakers — including members of Protect Our Water Jackson Hole, the Hoback Junction Water and Sewer District and the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance — told commissioners they expected the SPET revenue to be prioritized for water because the 2022 measure passed with very strong voter support. Brad Nielsen of Protect Our Water Jackson Hole noted the water measure “was approved by almost—I mean, it might have been 79% ... 80% of the people in this valley said water matters,” and called the proposed allocation, in which water projects initially receive a small share, a “disconnect” with voter intent.

Hoback Junction Water and Sewer District Chair Robert Frodeman said his district already has design work underway and anticipated release of matching state funds in April, and that the district planned to advertise construction bids in fall 2025 with construction beginning spring 2026. County Water Resources Coordinator Chris Peltz estimated three near‑term projects (Hoback, Munger Mountain sewer and the Highway 89 North sewer) would need roughly $5,000,000 over the next 18 months and that several additional projects would bring the near‑term need closer to $7,000,000.

Public Works Director Heather Oberholster warned that using a county reserve to bridge the gap now could leave fewer SPET receipts available to fund projects later: if the county advances money from its capital depreciation/future‑use reserve, those internal loans would need to be repaid from future SPET receipts and therefore might reduce available cash for future projects. Treasurer Smits confirmed the capital depreciation/future‑use reserve currently holds about $2,500,000 and said she could bring a resolution if the board wanted the county to use that fund to bridge water needs.

Commissioners debated sequencing and options: some members pressed to allocate more SPET to water now, others favored keeping the draft percentages and using the capital reserve or reallocating overages to water if collections exceed projections. Commissioner Gardner asked the treasurer for a multi‑year outlook; Smits said she will compile a two‑ to three‑year funding outlook after spring break to improve planning for large multi‑year projects.

After extended public comment and staff discussion, the board voted unanimously to continue the SPET allocation resolution to the April 15 regular meeting to allow staff to prepare alternative schedules, consult with affected applicants and provide additional financial detail. Commissioner Macker made the motion to continue; Commissioner Gardner seconded. The board voted unanimously in favor.

Why this matters: SPET funding supports multiple capital priorities across the valley. Water‑quality projects cited by speakers are time‑sensitive, tied to matching state funds and to public‑health considerations; advocates and some commissioners argued the county should prioritize those projects where construction is shovel‑ready.

What comes next: Treasurer Smits and county staff will return with a multi‑year outlook, options for using the capital depreciation/future‑use reserve and proposed sequencing for any reallocation if the board chooses to adjust draft percentages. The board scheduled the SPET allocation for further consideration at its April 15 regular meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to continue consideration of the 2022 SPET year‑three allocation to April 15, 2025. Motion: Commissioner Macker. Second: Commissioner Gardner. Outcome: approved unanimously (five commissioners present).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Teton County - Regular Mtg - Mar 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Teton County commissioners continued consideration of the third‑year distribution schedule for the 2022 Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) after extensive public comment urging more funding for water‑quality projects and additional staff work to reconcile requests and forecasted revenue.","taxTitle","Teton County, Wyoming","taxId",63785,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632427,"Board continues Northern South Park Area 1 master site plan to April 8, requests schedule for additional public engagement",703,5088000,5791000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787&start=5088&end=5791","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787/thumbnail_5088000.jpg","/articles/6632427/Teton-County/Wyoming/Board-continues-Northern-South-Park-Area-1-master-site-plan-to-April-8-requests-schedule-for-additional-public-engagement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632427-57cdb32867a4ade11e15e329783670fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151136&Signature=S7XPn1cffmn26kC9B8b3It~F8Ih1x9GMhq5NBtyZ5xD6rG7mmD3sCX3FsYQRPcTko6iQyoF~D02Jn2acY0W5gqMDSdu2mYhO-dVYcA~Bzf6EokC5dlHKf2s0BjYxVcP4121s46j5yqfgCNIkZIjMw3DAf4-8Vwmj2tqSyk~1l5GH3rKdI3cZ~JVnUowjjroHsnrwJSj-aKPu40BSr3eHQ5vMs6GNnAtr847K70NlrNCEtd5~LldE8z-El6OmmuFRRFfJLoXk3g8lab7Pg7glVvp5MHB0OmDbwMLncE3FIhB9Scbz83p6bXmvwGKruA5gWrkCZ8Hx3gxy7uxNXhQZnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Teton County Board of County Commissioners continued the hearing on the Northern South Park Area 1 Master Site Plan (MSC 2020‑437) to April 8, 2025 and directed planning staff to propose a sequencing plan to accommodate additional public engagement and internal working sessions.

Multiple commissioners and members of the public requested extra opportunities for public comment and greater accessibility, including an evening meeting and a possible site visit. Commissioners said the application is unusually large and could require several hearings to allow the public and departments sufficient time for review. Planning Director Chris Neubecker recommended continuing the hearing to April 8 and returning to the board at the voucher meeting on Friday with a proposed schedule that would identify presentation, public comment, working meetings and potential site‑visit logistics.

Commissioner Carlman and others emphasized the value of a site visit for commissioners to better understand on‑the‑ground impacts, while county staff and the clerk noted logistics and statutory considerations for holding public hearings outside the county seat and for maintaining remote access and minutes. Several commissioners suggested a preliminary public comment session on April 8 with staff presentations and possible follow‑up evening hearing to increase access.

The motion to continue MSC 2020‑437 to April 8 was made by Commissioner Mecker and seconded by Commissioner Gardner; the board voted unanimously to continue.","The board continued the Northern South Park Area 1 master site plan hearing to April 8 and asked planning staff to return with a proposed schedule that may include additional public comment opportunities, an evening session and a site‑visit approach.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632431,"County approves one immediate IT support FTE to address backlog",509,4543000,5052000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787&start=4543&end=5052","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787/thumbnail_4543000.jpg","/articles/6632431/Teton-County/Wyoming/County-approves-one-immediate-IT-support-FTE-to-address-backlog","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632431-27cb8b60aa8a65b456c7e51bd3444145/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151136&Signature=hdwasQwD5HTy0yzlCcyxuMFKk~sVISJ6QxVibRpdT8rKOCURptiUZhfnWvfsHn-~F8~k3J4XJwIful0VgM6MYtWNZIFxoiRDWkJffEy90LSGpBlRXUiodL7MVjfvL-e6CWKns-YSZKYRGp6KV6h5UTDI215isPWEid9TiyRFBFVKqHINVuXZhpljn67FQQ9ggVTfaekCK5VwgsFRGr7NjNaa83nf1CBYyu6XGhhkUoqNGBX6aBslrk9lEzJ76VWPCvTlLaAAkE0FUKjUan23mLH4wZSLsylLYnJJeZ354W0DwijlCeRkQG4ykgYYmu20qzDfhpn~K0R5Aba-J-fVdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Teton County Board of County Commissioners approved one additional full‑time equivalent (FTE) position in the Information Technology division to be hired immediately to reduce service delays and handle a growing backlog of support tickets.

Alisa Dunn, enterprise IT manager, requested the position and said the division was operating with three technicians — an approximate 1:100 technician‑to‑employee ratio — while comparable agencies have far lower ratios. Dunn said the IT team receives about 1,200 tickets per month and had roughly 300–320 open tickets at a recent count; she requested hiring an IT support specialist at grade 4 and proposed using salary savings in the current year to recruit immediately rather than using higher‑cost outside professional services.

Commissioners discussed sequencing — several noted the timing ahead of the FY26 budget process makes a permanent FTE request awkward — but said the operational need and the staff’s efficiency argument were persuasive. Commissioner Gardner said approving the position now was an exception to their normal sequencing because the department is “dramatically understaffed.” Commissioner Gardner moved to approve the hire; Commissioner Carlman seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Approved action: one IT support specialist (grade 4) to be hired immediately, with funding drawn from salary savings in the general services budget for this fiscal year; the department had also requested two FTEs for FY26 as part of the upcoming budget process.

Implementation note: Human Resources and IT will proceed to recruit under the approved grade and funding source; the board and departments will address the full FY26 FTE requests during the regular budget cycle.","The Board approved hiring one immediate IT support specialist (grade 4) to reduce a backlog of help tickets and improve service; IT said current staffing ratios and ticket volumes show need for additional capacity.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632436,"Commissioners approve grazing agreement for county property at 105 Alta North Road",255,4278000,4533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787&start=4278&end=4533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787/thumbnail_4278000.jpg","/articles/6632436/Teton-County/Wyoming/Commissioners-approve-grazing-agreement-for-county-property-at-105-Alta-North-Road","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632436-983d7b4ee506fd480a9e7461e8ba794f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151136&Signature=QG5OX6C9h1BhZ16jmNCThbKfujGG0IUQbaBPEaoeWIRXRB95YV6I-DWgSs~BoRFiYDpIKPOMIJK7LYJgLaC77aTVwwtXdOJ24VX8y8YANUd9hGaBTWI~64WSk9ffUmTb-UTpSjc0~rWAmoXqonEa9A0~k5b2Yyr3-ocLgAgqOpPvMFG7~G2EJMBou4f68j24l5bBYBX-sn0JKh24YEvdSswFfLXyYBzfIPWbpMrI2ZgQp0XDzyq63Jzv9lcWeH~gVm8lPb38801zBsicF80Pvn7oqUu8WbRJKrvIlRK8RDeoJ-ESVE0cpGKJVRJW5POx~WsxMYowTpr7EAbvILEHYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Teton County Board of County Commissioners approved a grazing agreement allowing the Wilson family to graze up to five horses and mules on county property at 105 Alta North Road for $10 per head per month.

Josiah Nash, Teton County facilities manager, told the board the county acquired the parcel in January 2024 and that the property contains a garage, two small barns and a house, while the house is not currently suitable for occupancy. Nash said the county is holding the parcel for potential future use — it was purchased previously with the intent of serving as a fire station for the Alta area — and the Wilson family has asked to graze the pasture as they have done historically.

Commissioner Gardner praised the arrangement as helpful for fuels management and local agriculture. Some commissioners asked about purchase price; Nash said he did not have the final acquisition figure. Commissioner Carlman observed a recollection among board members that the purchase price was “around $1,100,000,” while another commissioner said they thought it may have been $1.6 million; Nash said he would check the record.

Commissioner Probst moved to approve the grazing pastures agreement with Jim and Lauren Wilson for $10 per head per month, not to exceed five horses and mules; Commissioner Gardner seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The agreement is intended as a temporary management arrangement while the county considers future use of the property and maintains local agricultural activity and oversight.","The board approved a grazing agreement allowing up to five horses/mules on county property at 105 Alta North Road at $10 per head per month; facilities manager said the parcel is in a holding pattern while the county evaluates long‑term use.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632440,"Teton County proclaims March 2025 as American Red Cross Month",311,305000,616000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787&start=305&end=616","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675105-43112e886c0e4768dd75f9a8bbc3b787/thumbnail_305000.jpg","/articles/6632440/Teton-County/Wyoming/Teton-County-proclaims-March-2025-as-American-Red-Cross-Month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632440-1e236aa40054cf604a8829e29cfeb624/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151136&Signature=ffOwRmm7dEoLa3wcllXNus7S7ZSBE1gncNpBj9n7odDqd~skf1344scA6hXEXdqS8gA43KlKTXfgDS9xH6eq2zBZbxLCdJ1BVO2xGRwKIB~~SJANs87YdHgMpxybFO7xehAh6B~uo9Bzv~eq2g1dimr1VvcSLBCQgAl3wpnH3dd7zoTsNspUBpT1JjLdHq-RuqAuNxeg2SeGGqi-tJOo2YkdGQrjohgSevFPrRCOg0n2ZBzMEuAGNihLuDDB4iWrONnyxQjX4T6rl2TvKDMSCNKUQJZb-zHZjD0IJicvitfI4aBr9WsHQ~lBNWGfgc9~rxhkXwxmfuXdwpG7sjoj2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Teton County Board of County Commissioners adopted a resolution recognizing March 2025 as American Red Cross Month and encouraging residents to support the organization's humanitarian work.

Dee Buckstaff, community leader for the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming, told the board the Red Cross maintains resources and volunteers in the valley and has supported local disaster responses, including helping 27 families after a landslide and maintaining a disaster preparedness trailer in Teton County. “We are part of the emergency plan for the county in that we are the ones who are tasked with providing shelter,” Buckstaff said.

Commissioner Carlman read the resolution, which praises local Red Cross volunteers for providing shelter, food and comfort during disasters, supporting military families and offering first‑aid and CPR training. Commissioner Carlman moved to approve the proclamation; Commissioner Gardner seconded. The board voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.

The resolution encourages citizens to support the American Red Cross mission and was adopted by the board on March 18, 2025.","The Board adopted a resolution recognizing March 2025 as American Red Cross Month after a brief presentation from a local Red Cross community leader; the resolution passed unanimously.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Teton County commissioners continue SPET distribution; public urges more water funding

Board continues Northern South Park Area 1 master site plan to April 8, requests schedule for additional public engagement

County approves one immediate IT support FTE to address backlog

Commissioners approve grazing agreement for county property at 105 Alta North Road

Teton County proclaims March 2025 as American Red Cross Month