Riverton council votes to continue SkyWest commercial air service under state program

Riverton City Council voted unanimously July 1 to adopt Amendment 4 to the memorandum of understanding (MOU) that keeps SkyWest Airlines operating commercial flights between Central Wyoming Regional Airport and Denver under the State of Wyoming's capacity purchase program.

The amendment sets block-hour rates and the projected annual investment for fiscal years 2026 through 2029 and preserves the structure under which the state contributes 60 percent of the minimum revenue guarantee and the community covers the remaining 40 percent, City Administrator Butterfield told the council. The MOU also contains termination clauses that would allow the city to opt out in future years, he said.

City Administrator Butterfield reviewed the MOU history: the state contracted with SkyWest in 2019 under a capacity purchase arrangement, Riverton opted into the program that year, and the MOU has been amended periodically. ‘‘What you have now is Amendment 4 . . . outlining the block-hour rate and the total projected annual investment for commercial air service to Fremont County for fiscal years '26, '27, '28, and '29,’’ Butterfield said.

Councilwoman Karen Johnson pressed staff on long-term affordability. She cited projected increases in the total annual investment between 2026 and 2029 and asked whether fewer daily flights could reduce costs. ‘‘I do have concerns about the rising costs . . . it's like a $500,000 increase,’’ she said, asking staff to model lower-frequency options and alternative funding paths.

Butterfield and other council members said the city has short-term funding available for the coming year but will need to consider broader funding choices later, including possible voter-supported taxes or contributions from Fremont County and regional partners. Council members also discussed the practical difficulty of finding alternative carriers for small Wyoming communities; the state's purchase agreement provides scale and a guaranteed portion of the operating subsidy.

The motion to approve Amendment 4 was made by Councilman Mike Bailey and seconded by Councilman Kyle Larson; all seated members voted in favor, and the motion carried.

Council members and staff said they expect additional community outreach and further budget work in the coming year to determine whether to continue the program beyond the next fiscal year or to pursue other service or funding arrangements.