[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6189195,"mediaKeyId","5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0","parentId",5058373,"title","Park County commissioners adopt resolution opposing proposed federal land sales provision","audioSeconds",1304,"startMs",9501680,"endMs",10806300,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0&start=9501&end=10806","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0/thumbnail_9501680.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6189195/Park-County/Wyoming/Park-County-commissioners-adopt-resolution-opposing-proposed-federal-land-sales-provision","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189195-5d37d01bb931cb6b86d5a1f5028736c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114806&Signature=AcuHxNeXAVFp9V0J3a68k6z8KHk90x3AEi9~2E4U3u-vN451cm-JjIb658~A4Gx-FVNW2uWT7op7Ei9J4mfPpVgVpmbpZPWe3QZDW54w5KaK4Q2VwQ6EieY-lkTDwfuZTdY1gyW43V7EeEthGjd5ZmjlUzkaSftP9Llw5vyiGEC9QvWjl~8F23XC26Z8doowvCSfHdtvid4xA0MafDx6Jwv7skyigjub9qIRgSSHvBsUP0NaoiKAOasA5HMAlwHaxEMrscrzxxTL-BNa-~tvUxbloiJ-KC2qgIlrRKhfQyaDCAv36pPjwvWE96Y7Axd~UtxvSjyXh3Cj9E8Ygpnizw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-25T06:07:32Z","article","Park County’s Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a resolution opposing a provision recently reported in the U.S. Senate that, as drafted publicly, would authorize or require the sale of certain federal public lands.

The resolution — introduced by Commissioner Simone and adopted by voice vote — urged Wyoming’s congressional delegation (Sen. John Barrasso, Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Rep. Harriet Hageman) to oppose the provision and to seek removal of Wyoming from any land‑sale mandates. It called for public lands to remain in public ownership and for any disposal process to include transparent public debate and local consent.

Why it matters: the draft provision has stirred debate because supporters describe it as a way to resolve long‑standing federal land access or management inefficiencies, while critics say it would circumvent existing federal land‑disposal processes and could fragment habitat, restrict public access and advantage large private landowners. The commissioners cited concerns about priority criteria, the provision’s use of the term “interested parties,” and the possibility of wealthy adjacent landowners acquiring multiple tracts.

Text and action: the resolution as approved by the board specifically opposes language reported to have been inserted into the Senate budget package by Senator Mike Lee of Utah (the provision is discussed informally in public reports as part of the “big” Senate budget bill). The resolution asks the state delegation to “vigorously oppose this provision and any similar efforts to reduce public land holdings or restrict public access in the state of Wyoming” and requests transmission of the signed resolution to Wyoming’s congressional delegation, the governor and the Wyoming County Commissioners Association.

Board debate and timing: one commissioner urged postponement to allow county officials to participate in an informational meeting hosted by the Wyoming County Commissioners Association and the legislature’s natural resources committee; other commissioners argued the measure should be sent immediately because the provision could be considered by Congress on an accelerated schedule. After discussion the board moved and approved the resolution that day.

Ending note: staff were directed to prepare a printed copy of the adopted resolution for signature and distribution to the delegation and relevant state officials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Special Meeting Budget 6.24.25","oneSentenceSummary","Park County’s Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday adopted a resolution opposing a provision recently reported in the U.S. Senate that would authorize or require the sale of certain federal public lands.","taxTitle","Park County, Wyoming","taxId",28096,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6189199,"Park County solid‑waste staff report new lined cell, compactor gains and an enterprise fund bounce‑back; rate pressure flagged",3350,5379770,8730360,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0&start=5379&end=8730","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0/thumbnail_5379770.jpg","/articles/6189199/Park-County/Wyoming/Park-County-solidwaste-staff-report-new-lined-cell-compactor-gains-and-an-enterprise-fund-bounceback-rate-pressure-flagged","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189199-f961aad27a926d9139802e1e5aa5492d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114806&Signature=Gj0wxiP1~T9~UgZwZ1pG7AF-DmUewe8M3iaQRKnJhxvBatXdgj-AnVIIgiD9nACcaKnXzaIi4U~wM29oDLsF40iiHX2VRULRsXZMTEclz5xTRtxFJpfzGTRw-iAhU0g82R-PGeO4PB4Zv3tSwk9mnfYDZ~povBUx8qYKyoeK2A6e0WZUuHHvkDXouxHNHOcO2nDC-IswLX7AycX4QLMAzODMqNyaDzE7VENhI1pZpbQ9EUY7QwKwRCf24bnzT7eeWa4d08RaRVfIi2q8axx3GBD5tyKm2QVtT8TtrYyjvS2AJIhCdQbo8Li09M1OZizl3SOaMjFCcZ-b5OfH3VE0Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park County solid‑waste officials on Tuesday summarized capital work at the Cody regional landfill, operational improvements from a new compactor and continuing budget pressure that may require rate increases.

The county’s solid waste presentation described the newly completed Phase 2 lined cell at the Park County Regional Landfill in Cody, noting staff expect the combined cells to provide more than 30 years of capacity. Officials said in‑house construction and quality assurance reduced outside professional costs.

Why it matters: the county presented a multi‑year plan for the enterprise fund that showed large prior capital expenditures — including the cell construction and shop — had drawn reserves down but left the county with decades of landfill life and improved operational control. Staff said the enterprise fund is carrying roughly $1.3 million in cash, but about $1.2 million of that is required by state rules for post‑closure care and therefore unavailable for discretionary spending.

Operational detail and efficiency gains: staff said the new compactor has materially increased density in the lined cell; one month of monitoring showed effective density rising from roughly 800–850 pounds per cubic yard to about 1,500 pounds per cubic yard after compactor deployment. That change, staff said, meaningfully extends usable airspace and improves the cost per ton of disposal.

Revenue, rates and contracts: solid‑waste staff presented revenue sources and contracts — the largest customers named were City of Cody, City of Powell and private haulers — and showed the county’s current effective disposal rate at about $65 per ton under existing contracts. The county’s modeling indicated an effective rate closer to $75 per ton would be required to sustain the fund long term if current expense trends continue; staff recommended discussion of rate adjustments and further emphasis on recycling and reuse to offset costs.

Operational choices presented: staff suggested several options to improve financial results or reduce expense, including modest increases to tire handling fees, shifting to a five‑day operating model (the presenter estimated roughly $140,000 in potential savings but said that change could be unpopular and may affect staffing), renting or trialing a tire shredder to lower tire‑management costs, and additional emphasis on re‑use/recycling programs and household‑hazardous‑waste handling. Staff also proposed selling one older track loader and not buying major equipment this year other than essential replacements.

Grants and capital: the sewer‑lagoon project with the City of Cody is underway and funded partly by ARPA and state funds; staff said the county had previously repaid SLIB loans early and that prior investments left the system debt‑free after heavy capital spending.

Commissioners asked about staffing levels, gate‑attendant coverage at smaller transfer sites, the financial impact of routes or contract changes, and next steps for rate negotiation. No formal rate change or budget adoption occurred at the meeting; staff said they will continue to refine projections and bring recommended budget language to the July 1 session.

","Park County described completion of a new lined landfill cell at the Cody regional facility with 30+ years of life, said a new compactor has raised in‑place density, and warned the enterprise fund — while recovering from recent capital spending — will likely need rate adjustments to remain sustainable.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6189204,"Park County road and bridge leaders outline steep material and equipment cost increases; commissioners weigh cuts",3659,1531170,5190630,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0&start=1531&end=5190","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0/thumbnail_1531170.jpg","/articles/6189204/Park-County/Wyoming/Park-County-road-and-bridge-leaders-outline-steep-material-and-equipment-cost-increases-commissioners-weigh-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189204-c3f0bc93cb780162265ee628cc470500/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114806&Signature=NLPztuimeZiFq550Vt3Ls0QlI7AwQ9bJGugMhE5z8B5iFRkXrPAA3rhCrzzdU106M4L3rUcPATBgrF36aMZVBUo1oL5QE1YgmM1~Iessx7sfUcBmqGS-QBha7dKwjOmEjuBLm0YiBVg4W9rACxrI9nHRnmJUCMlElb5kya1qU3PDTHoI5dqpdpK6BsPyIA8j00dI8eCnMYGE7vLVKsrIf8GoReYN3d~ubMZzOAvxypp9kIVBVkc5cKYvZCWVTRixDCtr3XjDUBb2PfjjlGKbjt7TtIZ3EvJUGcn1diLZsmCvWQ5dYGeER9gdlGvSTyGCNrrEk1H4oOvc0mcAZMsFrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park County public works staff told the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday that rising material and equipment costs have squeezed the Road & Bridge budget and that cutting maintenance long‑term would degrade roads and bridges the public uses every day.

The presentation, led by the county’s public works road and bridge county engineer, said the road system covers roughly 636 miles, about half of them paved, and includes 69 bridges and 175 cattle guards. “We can survive two years. But if long term to operate that way, you’re going to get in trouble,” the county engineer said about potential sustained cuts.

The nut graf: officials laid out where costs have risen, what programs and outside grants help pay for big projects, and a menu of possible cuts commissioners could adopt as they finalize the county budget in July.

Most important points first: staff said basic fund receipts that support routine maintenance — state gas and severance tax distributions and the County Road Fund — are volatile and that one large project can quickly reduce reserves. Fiscal year 2024–25 receipts into the county road account were presented at roughly $960,000, down from a $6‑plus million peak after prior spending. Road materials (aggregates and paving supplies) have risen dramatically in recent years; staff reported a 91% increase in road materials and a 134% jump in equipment renewals since the county engineer joined Park County.

Staff gave specific examples of budget pressure. The chip‑seal program (chip oil and hauling) is budgeted at about $1.3 million for the coming season; hot‑mix patching is budgeted at about $1.2 million; a planned supply of chips was shown at $600,000. Culvert prices nearly doubled from roughly $900 to more than $1,000 for an 18‑inch pipe since the presenter’s earlier years. On bridges, staff said 14 of the county’s 69 bridges are rated for replacement or rehabilitation; one high‑priority bridge (Lane 9 over Bitter Creek) was reported at about $1.9 million to replace and other bridge projects can reach $2–2.5 million.

Staff emphasized the operational tradeoffs commissioners face. Road Bridge staff said they have identified roughly 20–30% of non‑salary spending that could be cut voluntarily for a one‑year tightening without immediate catastrophic failure of the system; examples included delaying chip sealing for a season, reducing hot‑mix patching and deferring some equipment replacements. A full elimination of the chip‑seal program for a season would save the largest line item but would accelerate pavement deterioration, staff warned. Staff also listed equipment needs they consider essential: two water trucks needing repairs, a broom (street sweeper) likely near end of life, and ongoing renewals for dump trucks and graders.

Grants and outside funding: staff highlighted numerous outside programs that extend the county’s purchasing power, including the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP), CMAQ, TAP (Transportation Alternatives Program), Safe Routes to Schools, and partnerships with Trout Unlimited, Game & Fish and local entities. The presenter said some bridge and culvert projects were fully funded by outside grants and ARPA funds, reducing the county’s local match for selected items.

Commissioner discussion focused on timing and risk. Commissioners asked how long the division could operate with reduced spending (staff said one to two years before quality and safety would be noticeably affected) and pressed staff on the consequences for bridges and routine winter operations. Several commissioners and staff underscored that deferred maintenance becomes more expensive later and that chip and paving programs buy years of pavement life when done on schedule.

Context and next steps: staff said they will return July 1 with a recommended budget and that the board could move some one‑time projects into the County Road Fund if commissioners prefer to preserve maintenance dollars in the operating budget. No formal budget decision was taken at the meeting; commissioners asked staff to refine potential cuts and report back.

Ending note: the Road & Bridge presentation concluded with staff emphasizing the division’s current strengths — active asset tracking, trained crews and relatively young dump trucks on average — while urging commissioners to weigh short‑term budget tightness against longer‑term costs to pavement and bridge health.

","County public works officials told commissioners the road and bridge division can absorb one or two years of budget tightening but warned long-term cuts would harm pavement and bridge condition. Staff detailed rising costs for chip seal, culverts and heavy equipment and offered options to trim roughly 20% of non‑salary spending if needed.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6189191,"Commissioners approve temporary MOU letting county coroner use funeral‑home vehicle while county truck is repaired",240,9253530,9493580,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0&start=9253&end=9493","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5058373-3712086a55cbd37c68dbe8af51721ce0/thumbnail_9253530.jpg","/articles/6189191/Park-County/Wyoming/Commissioners-approve-temporary-MOU-letting-county-coroner-use-funeralhome-vehicle-while-county-truck-is-repaired","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6189191-e9ca2461bf7cc3ee627d217e93c10203/orig.mp4?Expires=1771114806&Signature=iQTvQIHzJwvU3LhLb3Sn7g9m9Psi6R-uqDiTWxmxbzCjwt27yrN1DZt2oyFHdl~yteid7S96~7KfZwgQZ~UeS5jVZFl9pPTupfQmp0wU7Aujence601zZkDklaOQOYIg3KUm7YpShhR6RLnrI06EdNvDashFbVVe6swmps5VUvquSfX6RTsLS7HmJmPunlMHnTmIXgxYp9MvvZIAhQcuylmn-D3zA7x9j466ipagE84INewbx7VyPrMgb1hoHJgawXez3vFmLH~3o7PeTkkRzRf4NZTSBVPYnDcV0LzfxWYqKxt8c7vKi5xeirEdZrJFylmSrN~ZTTDj2SZUbPhuRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of County Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday allowing the county coroner to use a privately owned vehicle for official duties while the county vehicle in Powell is repaired or replaced.

Why it matters: the county had a Powell coroner vehicle fail; with only two coroner vehicles in the county, officials said they need a stopgap solution to keep coroner services available without purchasing or trading for a replacement before budgets are finalized.

Key details: the MOU identifies the vehicle as a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban (VIN recorded in the MOU) and states county insurance will cover the vehicle when it is used for coroner purposes. The MOU was drafted with an initial period from June 24 to Sept. 1 and can be amended if repairs or replacement take longer. Commissioners approved the agreement by voice vote; staff said they will proceed with repairs to the county vehicle and revisit the long‑term replacement question with the July budget process.

Context and next steps: the county’s risk/insurance staff confirmed coverage under the county policy when the vehicle is used for official coroner duties. If the repaired county vehicle returns to service sooner, the coroner may revert to county equipment; if repairs extend past the MOU period the county will return to the board to amend the agreement or consider other options.

","Park County approved an interparty memorandum of understanding permitting the county coroner to use a privately owned 2005 Chevrolet Suburban for coroner duties while the county’s Powell coroner vehicle is repaired. County insurance will cover the vehicle when used for coroner business; the MOU runs through Sept. 1 unless extended.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Park County commissioners adopt resolution opposing proposed federal land sales provision

Park County solid‑waste staff report new lined cell, compactor gains and an enterprise fund bounce‑back; rate pressure flagged

Park County road and bridge leaders outline steep material and equipment cost increases; commissioners weigh cuts

Commissioners approve temporary MOU letting county coroner use funeral‑home vehicle while county truck is repaired