Sweetwater County faces $10.5 million projected budget shortfall

New property tax exemptions to cost county $858,000 in revenue

Assessor requests $25,000 to fix major GIS mapping errors

County retains Rock Springs voting precincts, relocates polling site

Commission declares vacancy for clerk of District Court

Ambulance service reduces night shifts amid revenue drop

County approves office shuffle at Health and Human Services building

County claims state sports wagering funds for gambling addiction

Commissioners reject sole $247,000 bid for parks master plan

Federal agencies warn of low water supply as Rep. Hageman visits

Sweetwater County faces $10.5 million projected budget shortfall

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Sweetwater County is bracing for a projected $10.5 million budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, driven by declining tax revenues and a $1 million drop in Payment in Lieu of Taxes funding. During a pre-budget workshop, discussions centered on how to handle statutory requirements to set elected official salaries by June 1 while simultaneously facing the massive deficit. Staff were directed to draft preliminary budget models featuring a 2 percent cost-of-living adjustment for county employees and a 6 percent increase for elected officials, while potential use of up to $2.5 million in remaining federal pandemic relief reserves was also discussed to help close the gap.

New property tax exemptions to cost county $858,000 in revenue

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Recent state legislation establishing new property tax exemptions will cost Sweetwater County's 12-mill fund approximately $858,000 this year, according to the Sweetwater County Assessor's office. The office reported processing over 4,300 long-term homeowner exemptions and more than 1,000 veterans exemptions. Additionally, a new $75,000 market value exemption for business personal property zeroed out the tax bills for over 1,300 small businesses and 31 oil and gas accounts. While the state will reimburse the county for the veterans exemptions, the other tax cuts represent a direct loss of local revenue.

Assessor requests $25,000 to fix major GIS mapping errors

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — A $25,000 budget amendment will be considered to cover unanticipated costs associated with fixing severe inaccuracies in the county's digital mapping system. The Sweetwater County Assessor's office reported that legacy public land survey data in areas like McKinnon and a local subdivision were so inaccurate that digital property lines were showing up directly through the middle of residents' homes. According to the assessor's office, the county's geographic information system map receives roughly 350 individual user hits per day, making the costly boundary corrections essential for realtors, engineers and local taxpayers.

County retains Rock Springs voting precincts, relocates polling site

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — To avoid widespread voter confusion ahead of the 2026 elections, a resolution was approved retaining the current voting precinct boundaries in Rock Springs, despite recent changes the city made to its municipal ward map. The Sweetwater County Clerk's office noted that altering the county precincts to match the new city wards so close to the election would require mailing new voter assignment cards to nearly 7,000 residents, whereas keeping the boundaries static only affects 554 voters. Additionally, a small outlying community's polling location was officially relocated to the Sweetwater County Library after the previous site was deemed non-compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Commission declares vacancy for clerk of District Court

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — A vacancy was formally declared for the office of the Sweetwater County Clerk of District Court following the recent retirement of long-serving clerk Donna Bobak, who officially stepped down on April 3. The declaration initiates the statutory replacement process, directing the Sweetwater County Republican Party Central Committee to select three nominees to temporarily fill the position until the upcoming general election.

Ambulance service reduces night shifts amid revenue drop

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Castle Rock Hospital District leadership reported a 15 percent to 20 percent drop in revenue for the county's ambulance service, prompting a reduction in overnight staffing. Effective early March, the agency reduced its overnight fleet from three ambulances to two — stationing one in Rock Springs and one in Green River — during its historically slowest shift. The Castle Rock Hospital District CEO reported the district still plans to request the maximum $1.8 million county subsidy allowed under its contract this year, citing a significant decrease in long-distance transports and 911 calls, which are currently yielding less than a 50 percent billing collection rate.

County approves office shuffle at Health and Human Services building

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — A major office relocation plan inside the county's Health and Human Services building was unanimously approved to improve public access to high-demand services. Under "Option 2" of the proposal, satellite offices will be established for the county treasurer and county clerk on the main floor to handle high-volume tasks like license plate renewals and vehicle titling. The board of health will also consolidate its confidential testing services on the first floor, while the Women, Infants and Children program will relocate to the second floor.

County claims state sports wagering funds for gambling addiction

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — A $25,650 invoice to the Wyoming Department of Health was authorized to claim the county's annual share of state sports wagering taxes. The funds, generated by a 10 percent tax on online sports betting, are statutorily earmarked for the prevention and treatment of problematic gambling behavior. The latest allocation brings the county's total gambling treatment fund to over $123,000, which local officials have been banking to eventually launch a comprehensive local treatment program.

Commissioners reject sole $247,000 bid for parks master plan

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — The only bid received for a comprehensive needs assessment and strategic plan for the Sweetwater County Parks and Recreation Department was unanimously rejected after the proposal came in at nearly three times the budgeted amount. Public works director Gene Legerski explained that despite scaling back the project's scope, the sole bid from a consulting firm was for $247,000, far exceeding the county's expectations. Legerski said the high cost was largely driven by travel expenses and the wide geographic spread of the county's 13 park facilities, leaving the department to reevaluate how to approach the much-needed master plan.

Federal agencies warn of low water supply as Rep. Hageman visits

SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — A recent visit from U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman highlighted federal directed funding efforts, including $40 million secured for Wyoming projects over the last two years, just as federal land managers warned the county of impending drought conditions. During the annual federal partners update, a Bureau of Reclamation representative reported that the snowpack above Flaming Gorge is in "record low territory," with the spring runoff forecasted at just 51 percent of average. Despite the dry conditions, local fire warden Alan Adams said the Bureau of Land Management is not yet recommending fire restrictions due to the ongoing spring green-up.

Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:

Contact Us