[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6511749,"mediaKeyId","5175093-544875398f90c738781abbd67a855669","parentId",5175093,"title","Extension educator asks Weston County to restore travel and program support amid tight budget","audioSeconds",730,"startMs",1980000,"endMs",2710000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5175093-544875398f90c738781abbd67a855669&start=1980&end=2710","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5175093-544875398f90c738781abbd67a855669/thumbnail_1980000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511749/Weston-County/Wyoming/Extension-educator-asks-Weston-County-to-restore-travel-and-program-support-amid-tight-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511749-869cc7b881b6b9370163cb8b6705f6c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191841&Signature=lqjeUW8vyhQZ4GAuzxXwEcGBIPVRP0l-8z-6VOunElHmZWkDSwLbvZv6ddCVt~bkQNuog3RqTMzPOEzo23qhRC~UhZMYD7sSvHSHd6DQxMZF1CY6M53jW06eba0aner9vb6zjtcnseb4t2PmKlqeD72KqjZXyLNirD6fqw9g84Jwnkd-6JZEksUyXztukUQK5QeakTgPjZlCaMgblT8EW4iSyeUXwhuHiM-yc8wO~48PqIaiN9wLCOKyzPNXdoxEmK07-mQadS-sBCejVLd88rzmsKI73QNK3CQhRyRV~kxKL5gtrebB8Ncmwnh~LqcVjiAoXhoggyz3~LbSx~VUdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Weston County","date","2025-07-04T17:07:55Z","article","An extension educator told the Weston County Commission that travel and program support funding are important for required trainings, regional collaboration and youth programming, and asked the commission to restore or maintain two county line items that were reduced in the proposed budget.

The speaker said extension staff are required to attend a set of trainings and events (spring training/EPIC, state fair and a biannual regional meeting) and described travel and lodging practices that aim to minimize county cost (staying in dorms during events, shared travel among counties). The speaker said the University of Wyoming covers many in‑event costs (hotel and meals) but that county budgets typically pay mileage, some meals and local travel expenses.

The educator described program growth and outside grant support, including a roughly $15,000 NRA grant and an intern funded through UW that contributes about $8,000 in labor value to local programming. The speaker said 4‑H membership has grown to more than 180 youth (previously around 120) and that in‑region programming and regional trainings increase capacity to serve youth and volunteers.

The speaker asked commissioners to restore travel and program support line items that had been proposed for cuts, arguing those funds enable required compliance events and provide direct benefit to county youth and volunteers. Commissioners acknowledged constraints in the county budget and discussed how mandated activities (and state funding shortfalls) affect local expense burdens.

The educator said some extension costs are reimbursed by the state or UW and that the county often only covers a portion of travel and operational expenses; the speaker asked commissioners to consider that when reviewing cuts.

No formal motion or vote was taken during the remarks. Extension staff said they will follow up with the county on budget decisions and appreciated the commission’s outreach and program support to date.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Weston County Commissioners Budget Workshop. Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Newcastle, Wyoming. Part Three.","oneSentenceSummary","An extension educator and 4‑H program leader asked commissioners to restore travel and program support line items, describing training requirements, a recent $15,000 grant and an $8,000 value from a summer intern.","taxTitle","Weston County, Wyoming","taxId",28920,"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},6511754,"Power‑easement hold‑up and city sign‑off stall opening of Weston County hangar, officials say",351,3632000,3983000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5175093-544875398f90c738781abbd67a855669&start=3632&end=3983","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5175093-544875398f90c738781abbd67a855669/thumbnail_3632000.jpg","/articles/6511754/Weston-County/Wyoming/Powereasement-holdup-and-city-signoff-stall-opening-of-Weston-County-hangar-officials-say","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511754-453dc26a9dde74f0df7331f75f4491ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191841&Signature=jRWDxUaabyR3QJleVLXxHoDn-nNYjgGMA9RQCZqEykibwt~1JgP6~pLmHchQzdYUmnJFHGatVDu~d4CI~g7d~gFsK9WITRvRwatQWeqNQVcuyHFEOnDD0tGVpy1fUjS6BsN~ABHmUJdPP5pBgK1Yfc5vCX6XwMoj0WivQBMn1QgDkTFoUvL0E9Auhs47zmf-Gq6m7Bfn-qiC6m7oM9yKuzWKaofz1HvUsMNVm6S4e3WDHAF9apgBuamPcg2K1OUy3e3yelkn544p9VScsX6gb3FOwHPk4KV-a1jp1ULjRHogol8bB3Vcd~Y9zlFeD7I7OUxhKeRNylUjz1lVemzH5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County officials and a project representative reported that a new hangar at the county airport is nearly complete but cannot be put into service because a power easement and city sign‑off remain outstanding.

A project speaker said the hangar is about 97% complete but that Powder River Electric required a signed easement so the utility can trench and place a 200‑foot run to connect a meter. The speaker told the commission the meter sits on a pole and that electricity from the meter outward is owned by the utility, which is why the easement and city signature are required.

\"It is 97% done. And that's because the city still hasn't signed that,\" the speaker said. The speaker said the hangar cannot be leased until doors and power are operable and said there is a waiting list of potential lessees.

Commission discussion focused on why the city council has not signed the easement. County staff said the city asked questions about the airport’s economic benefit to the city and requested more information before signing. County staff cited an economic impact analysis (the county provided a study from 2020), saying state aviation calculations showed significant revenue generated in the city by airport traffic — the speaker gave an estimate in the meeting of roughly $1,300,000 for the city in a prior analysis.

Commissioners and staff discussed the mechanics of meter ownership and reimbursements; the county said it pays airport bills upfront and the city reimburses the county for the city’s share, so a refusal to sign or delay could reduce planned revenue and affect the county budget.

The county representative said hangar leases will include a base monthly fee and separate metering for electricity so tenants pay their electrical consumption; the county also said it intends to have lease language covering liability and tenant responsibility for utilities and insurance. The commission scheduled outreach to the city (a meeting was noted as planned) to resolve outstanding signatures and to present the airport’s economic analysis to city councilors.

No formal vote occurred during the discussion. Commissioners said they will bring documentation (lease template and the interlocal/reimbursement agreement) to the next meeting with the city.

","County officials said a power easement required by Powder River Electric and not yet signed by the city is preventing power connection for a nearly finished hangar; commissioners said the delay affects lease revenue and the county’s budget.",{"_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},6511759,"Weston County library warns budget shortfall could force reduced hours, branch cuts",419,221000,640000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5175093-544875398f90c738781abbd67a855669&start=221&end=640","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5175093-544875398f90c738781abbd67a855669/thumbnail_221000.jpg","/articles/6511759/Weston-County/Wyoming/Weston-County-library-warns-budget-shortfall-could-force-reduced-hours-branch-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511759-000c374fd6ec4b0fef31a49128ec539e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771191841&Signature=EGnNCCSo-SDXjVb5C50z8BA3YwOsOXHRO~JG~NeZpEuGX7Xik~VdTlvqKkSU1Usc-4bQLXzclRh2JQejz150~GzYmn~tV4zwAB0UeJhVVL2GOjaK9GF5AdYqcL2ausLQL8CBYtY2SdGDQGNQF8rOwUTTro3e-NICzd-3EsvIGqP0vKOpcCCcCys~~za6kw2khQ2QS7ZtUStU~NdNY4saC5UxZoury3vdcNnjeeudHdOMWRbF1aLoUYKNe2evh1sT6p4D~FGoUtwC~WgXvz5iJsfTdlYJp1lJvgcuiOxijpyRbDi4yv3-mv9dL3JE0JRmhyHQc-oFKwaZ3CteV78ddQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A library representative told the Weston County Commission the county library is operating under a budget shortfall and asked the commission to clarify whether it should reduce hours or close a branch.

The library speaker said the system had previously received a one‑time $60,000 supplement to cover retiree payouts and other costs but is now operating at roughly $320,000 for the year and faces recurring monthly expenses (including payroll) of about $26,000. The speaker said the library has gone from two full‑time employees to one full‑time and two part‑time employees and currently has no line item to purchase books.

\"Do you want us to shorten library hours? Do you want us to close the library on certain days? Do you want us to get rid of the Upton branch library?\" the speaker asked the commission. The speaker said main‑branch hours are 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday‑Friday and that the Upton branch is open roughly noon to 5 p.m.

The speaker described core services that would be affected if hours or branches are cut, including free public computer access, a no‑cost income tax preparation program and proctoring of college exams so students can test locally. The speaker also described the library as ‘‘the one place in the community that is free to patrons’’ and said reduced services would disproportionately affect residents without home internet or other resources.

The speaker asked whether the commission could provide additional funding if the library’s fiscal year allocation proves insufficient and requested an update on the county’s decision before the county’s budget hearing (the speaker referenced a July 14 budget hearing time noted in the meeting).

Commissioners and county staff discussed last year’s budget actions: the speaker said the library was told it would receive $291,957.97 as part of an agreement after an earlier request for $351,000, with an additional $60,000 later provided to cover retiree payouts. The library representative said some of last year’s funding was used to cover retiree payouts and that the library had previously removed growth requests from its budget because past increases were not funded.

The speaker urged the commission to be explicit about options if funding cannot be restored, and to tell library staff whether to plan for reduced hours or branch closures. The speaker said the library will provide attendance statistics and follow up with commissioners by email about the county’s final budget decisions.

The commission did not vote on funding during this meeting. The library speaker said the group would return to the commission if additional, unforeseen shortfalls require further requests.

","A library speaker told the Weston County Commission the library faces a multi‑thousand dollar shortfall and asked whether commissioners will restore funding or direct cuts to hours or branches.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Extension educator asks Weston County to restore travel and program support amid tight budget

Power‑easement hold‑up and city sign‑off stall opening of Weston County hangar, officials say

Weston County library warns budget shortfall could force reduced hours, branch cuts