Jackson council reviews FY26 change log, debates one-time support for Central Wyoming College

Jackson — The Jackson Town Council on June 9 reviewed the FY26 budget change log, discussed several fee and reserve updates and debated a one-time funding request from Central Wyoming College (CWC).

Town manager Tyler Sinclair presented staff edits and the change log, which reflected modest staff corrections that reduced the proposed budget by about $13,000, updated insurance and property-tax estimates, and incorporated joint department adjustments made with Teton County for fire/EMS, affordable housing, parks and emergency management. Sinclair said the change log compiles edits between now and final adoption on June 16 and will be folded into the recommended budget for council review at that meeting.

CWC public comment and council debate Jessica Dobert, representing Central Wyoming College, asked the council to consider a bridge contribution while the college pursues a change in state law to adjust annexation rules and expand its taxing district. “This is really a bridge request, for the next year or 2 as we work through the state process to change the annexation statute,” Dobert said.

Council members debated whether the town should provide one-time general-fund support or pursue a property-tax–based mechanism that would align with the college’s longer-term plan. Several council members said they were reluctant to commit ongoing general-fund revenue without an offsetting revenue source; others said a limited, temporary contribution could help the college bridge to its legislative effort.

After extended discussion, council members directed staff to incorporate a reduced, one-time contribution into the change log for the council’s adopted budget on June 16. The amount discussed and incorporated was roughly half of the college’s initial request — about $118,500 — to be drawn from the town’s general fund as a one-year bridge; council members emphasized they were not binding future councils to the same commitment and that county action could affect the total support available.

Liquor-license fee changes and reserves Staff noted direction earlier in the budget process to increase “bar and grill” liquor-license fees by 20 percent, moving that fee from $3,105 to $3,726. The council also directed that the limited retail/club license be adjusted by the consumer price index (shown in the change log as an increase from $517 to $529). Council members discussed the pace and predictability of future fee increases; some favored a faster path to the state-allowed maximum over multiple years.

General fund and capital reserves Sinclair reviewed the town’s general fund and five-year model: the council’s policy reserve of 25 percent remains intact, staff reported, and discretionary general-fund balance was described at about $4.8 million with an additional assigned 12 percent noted on presentation slides. Council discussion included moving $500,000 into a capital account as an unassigned reserve for depreciation, repairs and potential projects; staff said the change would shift that money from unrestricted general-fund balance to an assigned capital-projects reserve.

Next steps and timing Sinclair and staff said the change-log edits will be incorporated into the recommended budget for formal adoption on the June 16 meeting agenda. The council will hold a public hearing and then vote on a resolution to adopt the budget; staff noted that setting the property-mill level and adopting the budget are related actions and may be handled in a single motion or divided if a council member requests separate votes.

Ending — The council did not adopt the budget on June 9; staff will update the recommended budget for the June 16 meeting to reflect the change log and the council’s direction on CWC and other items.