Jackson town council on Oct. 20 directed staff to develop a permanent water conservation strategy and to prepare alternatives for potential ordinances aimed at reducing irrigation water use.

The unanimous votes came after a staff presentation outlining options that range from education, incentives and revised land-development regulations to restrictions such as odd/even or limited-day watering schedules. Staff framed the topic as a supply-and-demand issue: the town must provide domestic use, fire suppression and irrigation, and this workshop focused on how to limit irrigation demand so the public water supply can meet all three functions.

Tanya Anderson, the town’s ecosystem stewardship administrator, outlined the suite of tools staff recommends considering, noting the tradeoffs between preserving the town’s green landscaping and reducing irrigation demand. "Is that current aesthetic appropriate in Jackson?" Anderson asked the council, adding that staff would return with target reduction goals if the council directs them to pursue an ordinance.

Staff also reminded the council of recent steps: on July 21, 2025, the council adopted a temporary ordinance (Ordinance 1442) regulating lawn watering and is operating under an emergency restriction that expires Oct. 31, 2025. Staff said the town is also building capital — including two new wells for the West Jackson Water Supply Zone — to increase supply but that those projects will take time and should be weighed against conservation measures.

Council members pressed staff on scope and metrics. Councilor Schechter said the central problem is balancing supply and demand and asked how success would be measured; staff replied they would return with measurable targets and monitoring proposals. Councilor Regan and others expressed interest in pursuing multiple tools (education, incentives, pricing and regulations) rather than relying only on an ordinance.

Public commenters largely supported stronger conservation. Amy Kushak of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance said the group "supports efforts to move forward with a permanent water conservation ordinance that will reduce overconsumption of water in the town of Jackson." Civil engineer Laura Monich urged the council to include indoor conservation standards (for example, EPA WaterSense measures) in any long-term strategy.

Council action: Councilor Regan made a motion to direct staff to develop a water conservation strategy using the tools discussed and to present that strategy for discussion at a future council meeting; Councilor Veenan seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Councilor Beeman then moved — and Councilor Regan seconded — a second motion directing staff to evaluate and present alternatives for potential ordinances to reduce water usage for irrigation purposes and to present those alternatives at a future meeting; that motion also passed unanimously.

Staff said the next steps will include drafting options for an amendment to Title 13 of the Jackson Municipal Code (if the council wants an ordinance), preparing measurable targets for reduction, and outlining engagement steps (inform and consult) that would include stakeholder outreach to large irrigators and a public workshop. Staff also said they will return with data-driven options and described that the town’s tiered water rates and an ordinance are the two largest levers available to change consumer behavior.

The council’s direction does not finalize policy. Council members repeatedly emphasized the need for measurable targets, community engagement and for staff to present tradeoffs between ordinance-style restrictions and other tools such as pricing and incentives.

Looking ahead, staff said it will return with a strategy and proposed ordinance alternatives for the council’s consideration at a future meeting; the emergency restriction remains in place through Oct. 31, 2025.