Joint budget meeting tees up pool repairs, parks staff, and Fire training post

If your summer routine includes the Rec Center pool, pathways, or a bus ride to work, Tuesday’s joint town-county budget meeting is where those everyday things start getting priced out. The May 12 special joint meeting agenda packet outlines the big FY27 joint budget questions still on the table for Town Council and County Commissioners. Here is the packet: Special Joint Meeting Agenda Packet.

Parks and Recreation is a big one. Staff are floating the idea of using Parks and Rec fund balance to cover FY27 capital needs, including a proposed $3 million for capital requests plus another $3 million set aside for “future pool capital needs,” described as repairs intended to buy 7 to 10 more years while leaders figure out the cost and funding source for a full replacement. The packet also flags a proposed Parks Public Engagement Specialist position (1 FTE), with the county recommending it and the town not, plus a note that the division is proposing $220,000 in additional user fees for FY27.

On the public safety side, the packet tees up a Fire/EMS request for a Division Chief of Training/Wildfire (1 FTE). County staff recommend it, town staff do not. The recurring cost is listed at $196,925 a year plus a vehicle and other equipment, with some offset revenue estimates tied to deployments and overtime reductions.

Transit and long-range planning show up too. START’s board requests include a proposed wage adjustment to $30/hour for six operators (not recommended by the town manager, per the packet), plus a proposed new Teton Village Express route via Salt Lake Express (also not recommended). The joint long-range planning line includes $100,000 for a Comprehensive Plan update with a reduced scope. There is no public comment at this meeting, but the packet notes comments will be taken at future town, county, and joint meetings before final approvals.