Green River local news summary
Week of December 7 2025
Sales tax revenue exceeds budget projections
Council considers holiday bonuses and time off for city staff
Flaming Gorge Days nonprofit dissolves, future of event uncertain
Road construction concludes near Smith’s Food and Drug
High school swimmers recognized for state titles
Council honors All-State football player
Commissioners oppose extension of specific purpose tax
County revenue trending down ahead of budget season
County and cities discuss dispatch center costs
Lack of bids stalls youth home and parks projects
Commissioners rally against BLM conservation rule
Simplot land swap issues raise local concerns
State approves enrollment of county roads for trail system
Sales tax revenue exceeds budget projections
GREEN RIVER, Wyo. - Mayor Pete Rust reported that the city’s sales tax distribution for the month totaled $914,198. While the figure did not reach the million-dollar mark, Rust noted that the revenue is still performing above the amount budgeted for the period, indicating a stable financial position for the municipality.
Council considers holiday bonuses and time off for city staff
GREEN RIVER, Wyo. - Council members discussed a proposal to grant city employees the Friday after Christmas as a paid holiday, as well as a potential one-time cash bonus. Another council member suggested the extra day off to align with similar moves by the state and county. One council member added a recommendation to provide a $250 bonus for full-time employees and $125 for part-time staff, citing inflation. City Administrator Chris Meats was directed to review the budget implications and report back to the council.
Flaming Gorge Days nonprofit dissolves, future of event uncertain
GREEN RIVER, Wyo. - A council member announced the immediate dissolution of the Flaming Gorge Days nonprofit status during Tuesday’s council reports. Reading from a prepared press release, the council member stated that the decision was not made lightly but was necessary following delays in collaboration with the city. While the committee has secured pre-scheduled events for 2026, the future of the long-running community festival remains unclear as the board steps down.
Road construction concludes near Smith’s Food and Drug
GREEN RIVER, Wyo. - During council comments, one council member noted that the road construction in front of Smith’s Food and Drug has been completed and the roadway is fully reopened. The council member highlighted the project's completion as a positive development for local traffic flow, noting that the city had received numerous comments regarding the closure.
High school swimmers recognized for state titles
GREEN RIVER, Wyo. - Mayor Rust and the City Council formally recognized members of the Green River High School swim team for their performance at the state level. The council honored standout swimmer Tavia Arnell, a four-time All-State athlete with eight individual state championships, alongside three other swimmers for their collective relay and team championships. The athletes were presented with medals and city-branded gifts.
Council honors All-State football player
GREEN RIVER, Wyo. - The council recognized Green River High School student Dax Taylor for his selection to the "Super 25," a list of the top 25 football players in Wyoming. Dax, a wide receiver, was noted for breaking the school’s all-time receiving record, previously held by his brother. This marks Dax's second year achieving All-State honors.
Commissioners oppose extension of specific purpose tax
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. - The Sweetwater County Commission reached a consensus Tuesday to oppose any immediate renewal or extension of the specific purpose tax. During a discussion led by Commissioner Island Richards and 2023 Specific Purpose Tax Joint Powers Board Chairman Robb Slaughter, the board agreed that the tax should sunset as promised to voters. Slaughter reported that the current tax has collected more than $44 million to date and is expected to conclude around December 2027. Citing economic uncertainty and the need to maintain voter trust, the commissioners directed Slaughter to inform the joint powers board that the county is not in favor of placing a new initiative on the ballot at this time.
County revenue trending down ahead of budget season
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. - Commissioner Island Richards warned of a difficult upcoming budget cycle, noting that county ad valorem tax collections are trending down more than 10 percent year-to-date. Richards emphasized that the revenue decline will likely result in a "painful budget year" for the county and the entities it supports. He indicated he has already begun conveying this message to the various liaison boards he serves on, urging fiscal caution as the commission prepares for 2026 budget discussions.
County and cities discuss dispatch center costs
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. - Commissioners Mary Thoman and Island Richards met with Rock Springs Mayor Max Michelson and members of the Joint Powers Combined Communications Center board to address budgetary concerns regarding the county's emergency dispatch services. Thoman described the current financial arrangement as an "open checkbook" that has led to financial shortages. The county is seeking to establish a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the municipalities to implement cost-cutting measures and improve communication regarding the dispatch budget.
Lack of bids stalls youth home and parks projects
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. - Two county projects are facing delays after the commission received zero proposals for open Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Chairman Keaton West reported that no firms submitted bids for the Rock Springs Youth Home Remodel and Expansion Project feasibility study or the Sweetwater County Parks Master Plan. Public Works Director Gene Legerski has reached out to firms that initially received the RFPs to determine why they did not bid. The lack of interest is considered unusual, and the county is investigating whether timing or other factors contributed to the void.
Commissioners rally against BLM conservation rule
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. - Members of the commission reiterated their opposition to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment and the federal agency's "Conservation and Landscape Health" rule. Commission Chairman Keaton West highlighted recent testimony given to the U.S. Senate regarding the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), arguing that the BLM does not have the statutory authority to create a leasing program exclusively for conservation. The commission ratified a letter of support to rescind the rule and urged the public to attend the BLM’s scoping meeting for the Rock Springs RMP amendment.
Simplot land swap issues raise local concerns
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. - Commissioners Keaton West, Island Richards and Robb Slaughter met recently with a plant manager at Simplot’s Pocatello, Idaho, facility to discuss legal challenges regarding a land exchange there. According to the commissioners, Simplot is facing lawsuits related to the land swap that could have ripple effects on production and employment at the company's Sweetwater County operations. The commission indicated that Simplot representatives will likely appear on a future agenda to request legislative support regarding the federal land exchange process.
State approves enrollment of county roads for trail system
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. - The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) has voted in favor of enrolling specific county roadways into the state trails program, according to Commissioner Taylor Jones. This approval marks a significant step in a multi-year effort to create a connected trail system that allows all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility task vehicles (UTVs) and other off-road vehicles to utilize designated county and state roads with a simple registration sticker. The project now moves to the Wyoming State Trails program for implementation, aiming to boost outdoor recreation connectivity between towns and public lands.
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