By Marcus Huff
Staff Writer 

County Commission reviews budget proposals and weighs requests

 

June 21, 2017



WORLAND — Washakie County Commissioners met Tuesday to review budget requests for 2017-2018 from all county agencies, and will meet again today to consider new liquor regulations, and further review of the budget.

With a final 2016-2017 budget of $9,931,810 and revenues totaling $5,547,023.70, the proposed budgets for the county for 2017-2018 come in at $9,116,364, with anticipated revenue of $4,459,598.

Agencies reporting to the commissioners on Tuesday included the Fair Board, which is requesting $65,000 from the county to add to their projected operating budget of $150,016.

The Washakie County Medical Center proposed a budget of $1,091,573, with a request for an additional $90,000, although a discrepancy was found in the budget proposal and asked to be remedied before final approval.

The Library Board predicts a budget of $104,595, down $46,000 from 2016, although with an addition to the Ten Sleep Library and loss of a full-time employee, requested an additional $191,916 in funding.

The Emergency Management /Homeland Security Department requested a budget of $104,599, an increase over the previous budget of $82,842, primarily for vehicle maintenance, fuel, and upgrades to office equipment.

Road and Bridge increased projections to $445,753 (a $5,000 increase), while the sheriff’s office came in at $535,695 (a $300 decrease from 2016.

The county attorney’s office requested an increase of roughly $5,000 to $198,027, while the District Court proposed an increase from $158,945 to $171,079.

The final county budget will be determined after fiscal year expenditures end on June 30.

Due to liquor law changes made by the legislature in January, the county will hear recommendations from current liquor licenses holders, and determine new regulations going forward. The County Attorney’s Office previously briefed the commission of any and all possible changes to local liquor laws.

The commission will consider a resolution restricting hours of operation for businesses currently licensed under the authority of the county.

Legislation passed by the state effectively gives control of liquor licensing requirements to the issuing parties, whether county or municipal, and eased regulations regarding hours of operation, age of occupants and effectively eliminated separate draft areas for establishments that serve alcohol.

Washakie County currently enforces and manages four liquor licenses, for Asian Cuisine, Red Reflet, Ten Sleep Brewery, and Meadowlark Lodge.

The Washakie County Commission will meet at 9 a.m. at the courthouse. All meetings of the County Commission are open to the public for comment.

 
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