County to revisit $2,038/month Mercill employee housing lease Aug. 31

Teton County commissioners are set to vote Aug. 31 on an employee housing lease at Mercill Condos (105 Mercill Ave., Unit #203) that would charge $2,038 per month, with the tenant also reimbursing $83 for water, sewer, and trash, all through payroll deduction. The lease would run for 12 months and could renew up to three years, with a $2,038 security deposit. Details are in the county’s staff report.

I watch these leases because they show what “workforce housing” looks like when the landlord is the county. $2,038 might be cheaper than market for a 2-bedroom, but it is still a huge bite out of a paycheck if you are not at the top of the pay scale. A practical question for Monday: how many county employees are actually eligible for units like this, and how many are still stuck commuting or sharing crowded rooms because the county does not have enough doors to offer? See the agenda item in the Aug. 31 meeting agenda.