Wrapping up the 2017-2018 budget, considering wind energy land use needs, and learning about updates in the Wyoming Department of Transportation, filled the day for the Goshen County Commissioners on Tuesday.
This item is available in full to subscribers.
To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, below, or purchase a new subscription.
Please log in to continue |
TORRINGTON – Wrapping up the 2017-2018 budget, considering wind energy land use needs, and learning about updates in the Wyoming Department of Transportation, filled the day for the Goshen County Commissioners on Tuesday.
First on the list was approving appropriations of $13.3 million for the 2017-2018 FY Budget. A public hearing had been held the evening of July 17 regarding the document, with no objections from the public.
Prior to approving the budget, County Clerk Cindy Kenyon reviewed the document and its elements. She said county taxable sales decreased 3.7 percent last year. State figures show the southeast region of Wyoming experienced an inflation rate of 3.1 percent, and the county valuation was down more than 2.2 percent.
Legislation passed during the 2017 session made it possible for counties to contract with other states to house prisoners, and Goshen County signed a contract with Scotts Bluff County, Neb. The numbers fluctuate, but as of Wednesday, July 19, Undersheriff Jeremy Wardell said 19 Nebraska inmates are in the Goshen County Detention Center. The county receives $47 a day per inmate.
Employee compensation accounts for almost 51 percent of the budget. In spite of tight revenues, the county still pays all of the employee retirement, at a cost to the county of $539,000, annually.
Kenyon concluded that Goshen County government is financially sound and continues to practice prudent financial management.
Changes at WyDOT
An update on changes at the Wyoming Department of Transportation was presented by WyDOT Director William “Bill” Panos. Panos joined the department in 2015, and began streamlining operations.