County and town still split on paying 57% and 43% for recreation costs

The Jackson Town Council and Teton County commissioners are set to decide whether to adopt a 57% county and 43% town cost-share for Recreation Operating and Capital, covering Recreation Center operations, programs, administration, and related capital costs, with the net cost listed as $1,916,770 in the fiscal 2026 budget worksheet Parks and Recreation JPA review packet. Under a 57/43 split, that worksheet shows the county paying about $1.09 million and the town about $824,000.

The packet says the joint agreement set Recreation funding based on census population in 2016 (54% county, 46% town), and a 2024 memorandum of understanding phased in higher county shares in later years Parks and Recreation JPA review packet. At the Oct. 5 joint meeting, a motion that would have directed staff to use a 60/40 split for Recreation Operating and Capital was introduced and then withdrawn, leaving the split unresolved heading into Nov. 2 Regular Joint Meeting Agenda Packet.

If you use the rec center, this matters because the boards are deciding how much of the bill lands on town versus county taxpayers before anyone starts talking about next year’s fees and program budgets.