Sublette County Commission Summary
Week of July 22, 2026
County adopts $216.7 million budget
County faces 25 percent health insurance hike, adopts international drug sourcing
Split vote recorded on zoning boundary change
County commits $1 million to upgrade bike paths before handover
Commission pressures Forest Service over dangerous road potholes
Stage 1 fire restrictions enacted
Hospital closes $28 million USDA loan, addresses billing snags
County adopts $216.7 million budget
SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — The Sublette County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an appropriations resolution to fund the county's budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The finalized budget is set at $216,782,839. The board formally authorized Chairman Lynn Bernard to sign the final budget document, concluding the county's financial planning sessions for the year.
County faces 25 percent health insurance hike, adopts international drug sourcing
SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — The county faces a $1.03 million, or 24.7 percent, increase in employee health insurance costs due to an unusually high number of catastrophic medical claims over the past year. To help offset the hike, the board approved the implementation of an international pharmacy sourcing program that will import certain specialty medications from the U.K. and Canada. The program will be free for participating employees and is projected to save the county $212,000 annually. The board also voted to renew its stop-loss coverage with Standard Life and update plan deductibles to meet Internal Revenue Service compliance.
Split vote recorded on zoning boundary change
SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — A resolution authorizing a zoning district boundary change and conditional use permit passed on a 3-1 split vote. Commissioner Doug Vickrey was the sole dissenting vote against the measure.
County commits $1 million to upgrade bike paths before handover
SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — The county is moving forward with an estimated $1 million to $1.1 million renovation of local bike pathways before transferring ownership to the town of Pinedale. County staff are currently updating a prior 2024 memorandum of understanding and finalizing engineering plans, which include installing root barriers to prevent future asphalt damage. Once the Pinedale Town Council approves the specifications and agrees to assume all future maintenance, the county plans to put the project out to bid this fall, with construction slated to begin in summer 2027.
Commission pressures Forest Service over dangerous road potholes
SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — The commission plans to pressure the U.S. Forest Service to repair massive potholes on Fremont Lake Road, calling the current conditions a severe safety hazard. Frustrated by the federal agency's lack of maintenance on the route, which also serves local residents, commissioners requested a formal letter of concern be drafted. The board also plans to invite local Forest Service representatives to attend the next board meeting to publicly address the deteriorating infrastructure.
Stage 1 fire restrictions enacted
SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — Sublette County has officially entered Stage 1 fire restrictions. Fire Chief Shad Cooper recommended the move, noting that surrounding counties and federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management and the Bridger-Teton National Forest, implemented similar bans this week due to critical fire indices. The board unanimously approved the restrictions, which limit open fires and the discharge of fireworks, while allowing campfires only within established rings at residences or campsites, charcoal fires in enclosed grills, and the use of portable gas stoves, provided there is a 15-foot cleared radius. The Sublette County Sheriff's Office will be tasked with enforcing the new regulations.
Hospital closes $28 million USDA loan, addresses billing snags
SUBLETTE COUNTY, Wyo. — The Sublette County Hospital District has successfully closed on a $28 million, 40-year U.S. Department of Agriculture loan at a 2.5 percent interest rate. Hospital Chief Executive Officer Rex Walk reported to the board that while May saw significant revenue write-offs due to transition-related billing adjustments surrounding the new facility's status, June's financial and patient volume statistics rebounded significantly. The hospital is now deploying a "surge" of specialized billing contractors to tackle $13 million in accounts receivable and is currently exploring the addition of an on-site surgical procedure room to keep more care local.
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