Workshop addresses transition from post-COVID maintenance mode

City prepares for potential industrial siting revenues

City anticipates economic boom from trona mining

TerraPower's Natrium nuclear reactor factors into long-term planning

Officials cite discussions with international investment groups

Industrial growth expected to impact Green River and Rock Springs

Legislature's proposed funding formula could cost county more than $1 million

Commissioners criticize property tax elimination proposal

Thoman warns legislators of risk to special districts

County receives clean audit despite 'material weakness'

Commissioner defends employee raises over nonprofit funding

Study recommends $29.5 million indoor sports facility

Commissioner appointed to Governor's Migration Corridor Task Force

Workshop addresses transition from post-COVID maintenance mode

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – City Administrator Reed Clevenger and Mayor Pete Rust discussed the municipality's strategic shift from a defensive financial posture to a growth-oriented mindset during a recent goal-setting session. While previous workshops focused on maintaining city operations amidst flat revenues following the pandemic, this session marked a pivot toward planning for expansion and capitalizing on new economic opportunities. The administration emphasized that the city is now moving out of a "maintenance mode" that had defined the budget strategy for the past several years.

City prepares for potential industrial siting revenues

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – Preparing for a shift in the local economic landscape, the city is positioning itself to manage potential funds from the Industrial Siting Council (ISC). Officials described the financial outlook as transitioning from managing flat budgets to handling new revenue streams derived from major construction and industrial projects currently in the regional pipeline. While specific dollar amounts were not finalized during the review, the potential influx of ISC monies is a central component of the city's updated fiscal strategy.

City anticipates economic boom from trona mining

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – Moving beyond post-pandemic recovery efforts, city leadership identified the expansion of trona mining as a primary driver for future economic growth in Sweetwater County. Council members and administrators noted that while municipal revenues have recently been stagnant, new industrial projects are expected to generate significant economic activity. The council is currently adjusting its strategic planning to accommodate the infrastructure and service demands associated with this anticipated industrial boom.

TerraPower's Natrium nuclear reactor factors into long-term planning

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – The TerraPower Natrium nuclear reactor project, currently under development in nearby Kemmerer, was identified as a key element in Green River's long-term revenue and growth projections. During the goal-setting review, officials indicated that alongside the expansion of the trona industry, the nuclear energy development is expected to bring substantial economic activity and labor demands to the region. Administrators noted that the project is now a fixed component of the city's broader economic outlook.

Officials cite discussions with international investment groups

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – City management revealed they have engaged in preliminary discussions with several international groups regarding industrial development in the region. Officials specifically mentioned interactions with management teams from major industry players, including Sisecam and WE Soda. These discussions are part of a broader trend of potential industrial siting and foreign investment interest in southwest Wyoming's natural resource sector.

Industrial growth expected to impact Green River and Rock Springs

GREEN RIVER, Wyo. – City officials predict that upcoming industrial projects will create a regional impact extending well beyond Green River's city limits. The anticipated growth, driven by an influx of construction jobs and permanent industrial positions, is expected to affect Green River, Rock Springs and the surrounding counties. The council is now tasked with coordinating planning efforts to manage this regional expansion and its effects on housing, traffic and public services.

Legislature's proposed funding formula could cost county more than $1 million

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Commissioner Island Richards reported that the Joint Appropriations Committee has advanced a bill reducing direct distribution funding from 8 percent to 5.6 percent. Richards estimated this change would result in a combined reduction of more than $1 million for the county's largest entities, including a $286,015 loss for the county government, $495,431 for Rock Springs and $247,799 for Green River. The proposed legislation would codify the lower percentage into law, removing the need for biennial legislative approval but locking in the reduced funding rate for local governments.

Commissioners criticize property tax elimination proposal

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — During a discussion on legislative developments, Commissioner Taylor Jones strongly criticized a state proposal to eliminate residential property taxes in exchange for a 2 percent sales tax increase. Jones argued the plan would centralize power in Cheyenne, as the state retains approximately 70 percent of sales tax revenue while property taxes stay local. He warned that Sweetwater County taxpayers would pay significantly more in sales tax while local government revenue would effectively decrease by millions of dollars, creating a funding gap that could harm local services.

Thoman warns legislators of risk to special districts

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Commissioner Mary Thoman reported on a recent meeting with a state legislator regarding proposed property tax cuts. Thoman warned that a blanket 25 percent cut to property taxes could devastate special districts, such as the ambulance and fire services in Farson, which rely almost exclusively on these revenues. She noted that small districts cannot function with such drastic budget reductions and urged legislators to have a compensation plan in place before enacting cuts.

County receives clean audit despite 'material weakness'

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — The commission voted unanimously to approve the fiscal year 2025 audit report presented by Stephanie Pickering of McGee, Hearne & Paiz. Pickering issued a "clean and unmodified" opinion—the highest level of assurance available—but noted one material weakness regarding adjusting journal entries and year-end closing procedures. The auditors identified a need for the county to utilize a third party for specific accounting entries due to staff limitations, though Pickering confirmed all identified adjustments were corrected for the final report.

Commissioner defends employee raises over nonprofit funding

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Commissioner Island Richards issued a strong defense of the commission's decision to prioritize county employee cost-of-living adjustments over funding for outside agencies. Richards stated he would not apologize for providing competitive wages to statutory employees, arguing that it is not the taxpayer's duty to "perpetually fund" charitable nonprofits, particularly those that have failed to consolidate or adapt. He noted that the county has reduced its own workforce by one-third to remain solvent and expects outside agencies to similarly streamline operations.

Study recommends $29.5 million indoor sports facility

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Commission Chairman Keaton West revealed details from a recently completed feasibility study conducted by Victus Advisors regarding a potential indoor sports facility. The study recommends a 95,000-square-foot facility located near the Family Recreation Center, featuring five indoor courts and two turf fields at an estimated cost of $29.5 million. West acknowledged the high cost and current revenue challenges but emphasized the importance of long-term planning, suggesting a partnership between the county, local cities and school districts could make the project viable.

Commissioner appointed to Governor's Migration Corridor Task Force

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Commissioner Island Richards announced he has been appointed by Gov. Mark Gordon to a work-study group focused on the Sublette Antelope Migration Corridor. The group is tasked with reviewing the biological risk assessment and providing recommendations to the governor regarding the corridor's designation. Richards, who also serves as the liaison to the land use department, will represent Sweetwater County's interests as the state determines the future management of the wildlife area.

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