As the morning sun streamed through the windows of Teton County's city hall, a sense of nostalgia filled the air during a recent government meeting. Becky Keefer, the superintendent of solid waste and recycling, took a moment to honor Caroline Sheehan, who is set to retire after over 22 years of dedicated service to the county. "This is kind of her Super Bowl," Keefer remarked, highlighting the impact Sheehan has had on the community.

The meeting quickly shifted focus to the fiscal year 2026 operating budget, a topic that Keefer described as challenging. She explained that submitting a completely flat budget is difficult due to existing multi-year contracts that include annual escalators. This complexity is compounded by the inclusion of capital expenditures, which amount to over $600,000 in the proposed budget.

Keefer elaborated on the budgeting process, emphasizing the importance of projecting annual tonnages for accepted materials. This involves a detailed material cost analysis, where projected tonnages are multiplied by recommended fees. For the upcoming fiscal year, the team is taking a conservative approach, anticipating modest tonnage projections.

As the meeting progressed, the discussions underscored the delicate balance between managing resources and ensuring the sustainability of Teton County's solid waste and recycling services. The recognition of Sheehan's contributions served as a poignant reminder of the dedication that underpins the county's operations, while the budget discussions highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by local government in maintaining essential services. With the fiscal year ahead, the community watches closely, eager to see how these plans will unfold.