Council debates whether to fund Lucky’s Place; constitutional questions raised

During the budget-first-reading discussion, council members debated whether to include $7,500 in the fiscal-year appropriation for Lucky's Place — a local animal-services nonprofit that takes stray and impounded dogs. A council member raised concerns the Wyoming Constitution prohibits appropriating public funds "for charitable and benevolent purposes" without a direct, contracted public service.

"The Wyoming State Constitution prohibits appropriation for charitable and benevolent purposes," a council member said, urging that any municipal payment be tied to a defined service contract and a clearly stated, invoiced cost rather than a lump appropriation. That member recommended a smaller contract-level amount — for example $800 (the figure paid last year) or $1,200 — and said the council should require a written service agreement if the town expects Lucky's Place to hold animals for the town's animal-control officer or respond to emergency events.

Supporters of a larger appropriation said Lucky's Place has taken animals for the town and that recent management turnover and rising costs justify increasing support; they argued the town previously paid invoices for specific services. The council asked Lucky's Place either to provide a formal request specifying services and per-dog costs or to appear at a future work session to explain the requested funding and what town services would be covered.

Council did not finalize a funding decision at first reading; members agreed to require a written proposal or appearance from Lucky's Place that details service levels and invoices, and to align any payment with a formal service agreement rather than a general charitable appropriation.