Council adopts new city flag following heated debate

Mayor explores 'first offense' possession ordinance

Splash pad bids rejected due to budget overrun

Building maintenance funding issues highlighted

Councilor raises concerns over data center energy consumption

New grocery store slated for April opening

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

Council adopts new city flag following heated debate

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - The city council voted 8-1 to adopt Resolution 2026-06, officially establishing a new city flag designed by local high school student Brandon Swigart. The vote followed a contentious discussion in which Mayor Max Mickelson issued a public apology to the student artist, condemning online criticism and a video released by Councilor Rick Milonas that described the design as "butt ugly." Mickelson argued that adult leadership should not denigrate a child's effort to participate in civic life, while Milonas, the sole dissenting vote, maintained his criticism was directed at the flag's aesthetic rather than the student and questioned how the design represented the city's industrial roots.

Mayor explores 'first offense' possession ordinance

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - Mayor Max Mickelson reported on a preliminary meeting with Municipal Judge Scott Nelson and City Attorney Richard Beckwith regarding the creation of a "first offense possession ordinance" to address low-level drug possession. The officials discussed the potential benefits and legal pitfalls of implementing such a policy locally, though no legislation was formally presented. Mickelson indicated that the administration is reviewing the matter as a potential future agenda item, signaling an early-stage exploration of decriminalization or diversion tactics for first-time offenders within the city.

Splash pad bids rejected due to budget overrun

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - The city council voted unanimously to reject a bid for the Century West Park splash pad project after costs exceeded the awarded grant amount by approximately $700,000. Parks and Recreation Director John "J.J." Syvrud accepted responsibility for the budget discrepancy, citing a lack of upfront engineering and a rushed timeline to secure grant funding. Syvrud addressed public concerns regarding the early demolition of the existing pool, explaining that he utilized the streets department for demolition to save costs in anticipation of a summer construction start, and noted the project will be re-bid with a refined scope.

Building maintenance funding issues highlighted

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - Councilor Larry Hickerson reported that the building committee is facing difficult decisions regarding deferred maintenance on city facilities, noting that years of underfunding have left the city "playing catch-up" on physical upkeep. Hickerson highlighted specific concerns regarding the Civic Center and indicated that these financial challenges will be a focal point during budget discussions scheduled for mid-January. The councilor emphasized the necessity of addressing these infrastructure needs to prevent further deterioration of public assets.

Councilor raises concerns over data center energy consumption

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - In his report to the city council, Councilor Rick Milonas detailed his research into the energy demands of data centers, specifically referencing a facility being built south of Cheyenne that will utilize natural gas turbines. Milonas stated that the center would require 2,700 megawatts of power—exceeding the output of the Jim Bridger Power Plant—and expressed concern regarding the massive consumption of Wyoming's natural gas and electricity resources. While acknowledging the potential tax base benefits, Milonas questioned the long-term sustainability of dedicating such vast energy resources to these facilities.

New grocery store slated for April opening

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - During council updates, Councilor Randy Hanson announced that Natural Grocers is scheduled to open a new location in Rock Springs tentatively around April 8, 2026. Hanson noted he attended a meet-and-greet with the company on Dec. 13, describing the business as community-oriented and expressing hope that the new store will provide diversified options for residents. The store, which specializes in organic and natural foods, is expected to bring new retail jobs to the area upon its spring debut.

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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