Hoback Water and Sewer District asked county for $300k to cover bid gap

Hoback Water and Sewer District leaders told Teton County commissioners June 8 they needed the county to commit an additional $300,000 because the district is facing a $495,000 budget shortfall tied to a Wyoming Water Development Commission (WWDC) requirement for a 15% contingency before the project can go out to bid. The district chair said the contingency is a “bureaucratic requirement,” and stressed they do not expect to spend it, but they need the commitment now to keep the schedule moving, get real contractor numbers, and avoid waiting months for another state funding cycle. Details are in the meeting transcript Jun 08, 2026 Voucher Mtg.

For those of us who rent and live with roommates down the canyon, this is the kind of “infrastructure” decision that shows up as a notice on the door when water fails, or a landlord trying to pass along emergency costs. Commissioners did not take action that day, but several pushed to use the county’s general-fund contingency instead of SPET money, because SPET dollars are already spoken for and shifting $300,000 could crowd out other water-quality work. The district also said it would cover roughly $200,000 itself, and a commissioner asked that any county money be tapped only after the district’s share is used.