Teton commissioners set direction on $6.897M remaining Water Quality SPET

Teton County’s Board of County Commissioners (BCC) reviewed how to allocate the remaining $6.897 million from the voter-approved 2022 Water Quality SPET at a March 2 workshop. Staff said earlier allocations totaled $3.103 million, leaving the balance for a new package of projects spanning sewer infrastructure, stormwater treatment, and monitoring/studies. See the staff report and recommendation table in the Water Quality SPET Funding Proposals workshop packet.

Staff’s recommendation (which generally tracks the Water Quality Advisory Board’s work) included $2,000,000 for Wilson Sewer District Phase 4 sewer work and $1,500,000 for the Town of Jackson stormwater program. The proposal also includes $317,000 for county monitoring/feasibility work and a larger county “infrastructure” line item spread over multiple years, with the packet showing a preliminary schedule for when SPET collections would make funds available (with major disbursements projected 2028–2030). Water Quality SPET Funding Proposals workshop packet.

A key policy question flagged in the packet is whether to attach conditions to sewer funding aimed at increasing connections: for example, requiring Wilson Sewer District rule changes to compel connections consistent with state statute, including language stating septic systems within the district that are within 400 feet of an existing public sewer must connect. Another highlighted issue is whether the Elk Refuge Sewer District North Highway 89 sewer proposal should be funded as a long-term loan instead of an SPET grant (with staff and WQAB recommending $1,000,000 via a loan approach rather than a full grant request). Water Quality SPET Funding Proposals workshop packet.