[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6475234,"mediaKeyId","5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54","parentId",5736141,"title","Commissioners ask Teton County Travel Board for advice on potential lodging‑tax revenue uses; public hearing suggested","audioSeconds",287,"startMs",1354000,"endMs",1641000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54&start=1354&end=1641","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54/thumbnail_1354000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475234/Teton-County/Wyoming/Commissioners-ask-Teton-County-Travel-Board-for-advice-on-potential-lodgingtax-revenue-uses-public-hearing-suggested","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475234-c2ac8151e8e0d45141f162a8ebae0156/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870492&Signature=f9YbbIpeQ2lRgT-O7PA7PguHVUJLGbs1O9FiEuL0v3fT4i2EXy7sPN~BgQO8RNHU4H76qaiI21guLRiTBW~l9-X~zpS9SpMPTqoCuC5ibrVWRc~DnI4KdEaZco0X0NDYTx~TeCRQ-g9gES0nI~9Ut9~DF7JKaajMoQR-jCDK6zJnicndfwUsfdW8Yet6ulQpZu48h-sG~ZKuTy3byyEjuKJuMmXnhYg2U3kU~CDSky~Vn5CWV9lxivlzfHlENoCw0NsewIb8qFpq8aZcOiF7xEc3CZJofvjfDNAGFQOF2ER3QJUoCGZ1RBMTPNBiyr8rt9W8lHm56oeY14ZAGTBVGA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Teton County","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","Commissioner Gardner asked the board on Sept. 8 to ask the Teton County Travel Board (TTB) to outline how additional lodging‑tax revenue would be used and to return advice to the county, a step several commissioners supported.

Gardner said the County has asked in previous discussions how additional lodging tax revenue would be allocated and requested a similar assessment from the TTB. “Not necessarily like, okay, this would be our proposed 2027 budget, but some kind of outline, I think, would be helpful,” Gardner said.

Why it matters: lodging tax changes typically require voter approval and have implications for tourism promotion, events and capital projects; commissioners said an informed public process and outreach are important before pursuing ballot action.

Commissioners discussed outreach and next steps: Commissioner Probst and Commissioner Carmen said they supported requesting advice from the TTB and suggested a public hearing to gather community views if the county pursues placing a lodging‑tax question before voters. Commissioner Post specifically said she wants “a well publicized public hearing and hear from the community” before making decisions.

Chair Newcomb offered to send information and draft a short letter or outreach to the TTB, and commissioners said they would consider placing the matter on a future workshop agenda, with the board’s calendar showing a potential workshop on lodging tax on Oct. 6 and a joint meeting with the town in early October.

Ending: Staff will circulate background materials and the chair said he will reach out to the TTB; commissioners indicated they want to coordinate any outreach with the town and consider a public hearing if the county seeks voter approval for a lodging‑tax change.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Teton County - Voucher Mtg","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed asking the Teton County Travel Board for guidance on how additional lodging‑tax revenue would be used and expressed support for a public hearing before any voter action; staff will reach out and may place the topic on an upcoming agenda.","taxTitle","Teton County, Wyoming","taxId",63785,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475238,"Teton County commissioners approve $1.52 million voucher run; consent agenda includes liquor permit and human‑service contracts",84,61000,145000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54&start=61&end=145","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54/thumbnail_61000.jpg","/articles/6475238/Teton-County/Wyoming/Teton-County-commissioners-approve-152-million-voucher-run-consent-agenda-includes-liquor-permit-and-humanservice-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475238-d3f9fbbe7b383eabe72c53c9a8d1998e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870492&Signature=dUtRw8wh1bYSCSJ94MbMcSwOqhvj-O1ArZQNgEB3mIk5QAx3jJJB6AIdL-PnclcfLLJUpanhC7KhJzObH1vCspWbMWvqHx29CAWupAVqUfg1hf9b8ZQLgzKGxZ7TCteZQRULlJgbIuS2-C1Aoo8Jru8K5Vjj4P47BWBvz88OllKSHbAIp~O51ykY72yb5fgGdXocA5NfcBFHoK8XvBv1kybnJTdxfkuuL8WK6SzZSwzvGjCaF0V1TUoO0oMr1-UhnrvRGcJaHEtKEHjgJ0EyMOjJzCK1tTW5ahRaBxjdgTTEYDz6N8SR72ICnfyLNmM53eNJ2-fueJdSSBfJXx8HqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Teton County commissioners on Sept. 8 approved the county voucher run totaling $1,522,773.44 and signed the consent agenda, which included a 24‑hour liquor permit for a Teton Gravity Research fundraiser and human‑service contracts for Energy Conservation Works, Wyoming Immigrant Advocacy Project and the Senior Center.

“Mr. Chair, I move to approve the 09/08/2025 county voucher run in the amount of $1,522,773.44,” a commissioner said during the voucher meeting; the motion was recorded as coming from Commissioner Coats with a second from Commissioner Gardner and carried unanimously.

On the consent agenda, the county approved a contract for Energy Conservation Works set at $35,000. Commissioner Karlman noted that the $35,000 amount has been steady for several years and observed that support staff had not received raises over multiple cycles; Commissioner Macker said that the contractor had not asked for an increase. The consent‑agenda motion to approve the 24‑hour liquor permit and the human‑service contracts was moved by Commissioner Macker and seconded by Commissioner Karlman and carried unanimously.

Commissioners also noted a $128 fuel reimbursement line item in the voucher run for chainsaw fuel for the Dollar Lake Fire.

Ending: With no public comment on items off the agenda, the board moved from the consent agenda into scheduled matters for discussion.","The Board approved a $1,522,773.44 county voucher run and the consent agenda covering a 24‑hour liquor permit and human services contracts, including a $35,000 contract with Energy Conservation Works.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475243,"Teton County emergency manager urges layered alerting, more sirens and clearer evacuation authority",2964,1992000,4956000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54&start=1992&end=4956","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54/thumbnail_1992000.jpg","/articles/6475243/Teton-County/Wyoming/Teton-County-emergency-manager-urges-layered-alerting-more-sirens-and-clearer-evacuation-authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475243-1a65d23bb24ac102024b06d21f90cab2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870492&Signature=DuwuGbo7OW12gam226PMHzlrF0DuMYv5ZHnlP4bYHMgtIElJQEXCwtkt4EAl3vKXU-18n4hFaACXiap4pzGy569HZn-7iZ-xF9A2tEvRNgiQrk4uccEL150wPoghH-DZa7EhNfoGt6YZLWRCBcS-TtXeajwz641nq5ffe8LjmCptOgKG5NrvA0RLFrxIJFWdw~ZLujN26lBUhPxfXuUD6DMehUrnkWxfsi764OwjMyaMtayCOkZZz-rCM3IhtT4p2mF1Oi60I5bl0d~GZrIeTGTwPzOHfYyISvvv1d6Nm06x8Goc6T88DTSwG-fMP6M~VEtkFLoRKAXrFqTLhMQDLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Teton County’s emergency management coordinator told commissioners on Sept. 8 that the county should prioritize layered alerting systems, add outdoor warning sirens in four locations and clarify legal authority for protective actions and evacuations after reviewing national lessons from a July flood in Texas that killed more than 100 people.

“Sirens are important, but they’re not the only thing,” Rich Oakes said in a Sept. 8 briefing that noted delays in alerts and failures to evacuate vulnerable populations in the Texas incident. Oakes told the board Teton County maintains multiple notification platforms — Everbridge, NOAA weather radio, wireless emergency alerts and a seven‑siren outdoor network — but that siren coverage has gaps and the county has identified a need for four more sirens in Alta, Grand Targhee, central Jackson and east Jackson.

Why it matters: commissioners were told that layered alerts raise the likelihood residents will respond and that the county’s limited staff capacity for sending mass alerts, unclear state evacuation authority and inconsistent special‑event planning are potential failure points during a major incident.

Oakes described local capabilities and gaps: the county’s sirens cover population centers but not the entire county; each siren’s effective audible range varies with weather and terrain; the county’s outdoor siren hardware was upgraded to two‑way communications in the past year; and tests of systems are performed monthly and twice‑yearly for audible tests. He said the county has “a need that’s been identified for several years, of four additional outdoor warning sirens.”

On costs and procurement, Oakes said the county should expect roughly $80,000 per siren, including installation and necessary utility work, and that doing multiple installations together is typically cheaper than single, ad hoc purchases. He told the board the county is planning an RFP for annual siren maintenance and installation services to reduce the high cost of one‑off repairs and installations.

Oakes also raised legal and procedural questions about evacuations and protective actions in Wyoming, telling commissioners that Wyoming lacks a clear statutory framework for issuing large‑scale evacuations and that “the governor really is the only one that has the authority to really evacuate anybody, in Wyoming,” a point he said required more legal review with the county attorney and the state.

Commissioners and staff discussed other recommendations Oakes presented: clearer and enforceable special‑event plan review standards, more outreach to encourage public sign‑up for Everbridge, coordination with school district messaging and media‑relations preparation for events that attract outside or national attention. Jody Pond, county administrator, said a staff report will come to the board on staffing in the Emergency Operations Center that would create a manager and an exempt coordinator as a backup to improve 24/7 coverage.

Pond told commissioners, “You will see a staff report for next week related to staffing at the EOC,” and said the county plans to change the emergency coordinator title to manager and propose an exempt coordinator position as second‑in‑command; two additional specialist positions would be budgeted but unfilled pending future funding.

The board expressed support for prioritizing the recommendations. Commissioner Probst offered to help pursue legislative clarification of protective‑action authority. Commissioner Patricia Carlman said she believed commissioners generally supported moving the recommendations forward and suggested staff prioritize the items and return with discrete steps and funding options.

Ending: County staff said they will return with a prioritized implementation plan, a staff report on EOC staffing next week and options for funding or phasing additional sirens and maintenance contracts.","Emergency management coordinator Rich Oakes briefed commissioners on lessons from a fatal Texas flood and recommended layered alerts, four additional sirens, improved special‑event plan enforcement and clarified evacuation authority; staff will return with prioritized steps and a staffing proposal.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475249,"Teton County staff report design, bid and permit timeline for Justice Center; demolition, historic review discussed",954,255000,1209000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54&start=255&end=1209","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736141-6bbb1e855a3b1422c1b7b9a19332ff54/thumbnail_255000.jpg","/articles/6475249/Teton-County/Wyoming/Teton-County-staff-report-design-bid-and-permit-timeline-for-Justice-Center-demolition-historic-review-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475249-e3095e1d8b5ab926283dcdea9dc0d006/orig.mp4?Expires=1770870492&Signature=b6KPjjK5nbOh1A6g8V0CX7RyxlGpiGI~2yitIWmQrjl~95fg~St7cuS0SwBowLF6L8Xfygfy9IIYZpIwYdG6DPwxdZ2KvfubNJguPxTx~kPY98gvfWGV3h4Eje6reqaAkLHw-5tMoQzij43UiIEVHeRuXqQWiHMjGQvTZeUjyqZeNpFN75ZSExa3joJ8XDID6NjkJSjtj5GroHVKSkHp1m9CM6yXeEJU2O-mrlbTrNJD~Ws5OmNcpgwzp8MzdD6itbqXsKpvznWb6CVF1SnXFSqJy~RXQUfsBrh78D7wxlOR8pcuQ~jt0kM81D-lQbOer6aB8qQakWodgtx3tTT9tQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Teton County project managers told commissioners on Sept. 8 that the Justice Center, courthouse and detention center project is moving into design development, that early bid packages have been released and that a phased permitting approach is intended to keep construction on a planned schedule.

The county’s consultant team said the contractor is preparing a design-development cost estimate to be presented Sept. 12, and that the team has submitted a development-plan package and a building-permit application for modular buildings adjacent to the site. Jason Berning, with BPM, said the final development plan will be submitted “next Friday” and that the town’s review process is expected to take “about 120 to 150 days” before design-review committees, planning and zoning and town council consideration.

Why it matters: the schedule the team described sets a path where demolition would begin in February while the building permit and full construction drawings proceed; the county’s ability to start long‑lead purchases and award a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) depends on those milestones.

The county’s construction manager reported that bid openings were held Sept. 2 for selected early packages — demolition, shoring, earthwork, the detention prefabricated cell package, and some electrical and mechanical work — and that those bidders are under review. The team said the earliest contractors could be under contract by early October, which would allow long‑lead items to be ordered after Oct. 1 and give the county time to negotiate value‑engineering opportunities.

Commissioners pressed the team about the demolition-permit schedule and a possible 90‑day historic‑preservation stay. The county noted that demolition permits normally go to the town’s historic preservation review and that the town’s board can impose a 90‑day stay to determine historic significance. County staff and commissioners discussed options to accelerate that review; County Attorney Keith said the county’s Historic Preservation Board (a county board) ultimately participates in that process and could be asked to meet on an expedited timeline.

Commissioner Carlman said he did not want the preservation process to delay a project that voters approved, saying in part, “The 1968 courthouse was the best our community could do in 1968. It’s not historic. Voters have ordered us to build a new courthouse.” County staff said the project team had planned schedule time for a possible 90‑day review and will request expedited review where feasible.

Project schedule details presented by staff included:
- Submittal of modular building permit application (staff expects an 8–10 week town review window for that permit).
- Final development‑plan submission with an estimated 120–150 day town review cycle; staff said the final development plan is the key milestone before the full building permit.
- An anticipated path where demolition work could start in February, with a target of a building permit in May; the GMP and full construction drawings were expected to be priced in February to allow a contract award to proceed.

The team also told commissioners it had prepared early demolition and grading packages to help keep the overall schedule on track and to allow early contractor onboarding to address long‑lead procurement and shoring design (the shoring subcontract will be delegated design).

No formal action beyond discussion was taken on design or contracting at the Sept. 8 meeting. Commissioners agreed staff should pursue options to expedite the historic‑preservation review and return with any recommended steps.

Ending: Staff said a cost‑estimate update will be on the next monthly project report after the Sept. 12 meeting with the contractor and that commissioners will receive a presentation on bids and value‑engineering items at an upcoming meeting.","County project team reported design development, early bid packages and a phased permitting schedule for the Justice Center, courthouse and detention center. Commissioners discussed potential 90-day historic-preservation review for demolition and options to expedite it.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners ask Teton County Travel Board for advice on potential lodging‑tax revenue uses; public hearing suggested

Teton County commissioners approve $1.52 million voucher run; consent agenda includes liquor permit and human‑service contracts

Teton County emergency manager urges layered alerting, more sirens and clearer evacuation authority

Teton County staff report design, bid and permit timeline for Justice Center; demolition, historic review discussed