County budgets for fuel, food increase

WORLAND — The valuation for Washakie County increased by nearly $30 million, amounting to an increase in revenue for the 2022-23 budget of $29,600.

Washakie County Clerk Mary Grace Strauch said the valuation increased from $131,341,140 last year to $160,992,671 this year, which equates to the $29,600.

The increase was good news as expenses increased in several areas in the county budget set for approval next week. The overall budget to be presented at the hearing on Monday is $11,477,352 without grants and $13,949,682.67 with grants.

Strauch said she has increased the gas and diesel line item budget for all departments.

Prisoner food finished the fiscal year June 30 at an all time high of $92,000. “We had to increase the prisoner food budget. That’s the most we’ve ever spent,” she said.

Funding for the Youth Alternatives dropped as grant funding was restored to the program.

Strauch said they have budgeted $15,000 for a walk-in cooler for the coroner’s office.

They are budgeting for a new vehicle for the sheriff’s office.

In non-profit or outside agency funding, the county is allocating $3,000 to the Big Horn Coalition for reprinting maps. She said each county in the coalition – Washakie, Big Horn, Park and Johnson are all contributing funding.

They also allocate $1,500 each toward membership to the Worland-Ten Sleep Chamber of Commerce and Washakie Development Association. They also allocated $4,000 to the Washakie County Historic Preservation Society.

There is $22,000 for cyber security.

The American Rescue Plan Act funding of $1,516,000 is under its own account with funds to be allocated toward a new ambulance station. Strauch said a final decision on the location is expected to be made by the commissioners at next week’s regular meeting, July 19.

Funding from ARPA must be used by December 2024.

Strauch said the budget also reflects at 6% increase in health insurance premiums. The county pay 90% of the premiums.

Property insurance increased by $10,000.

All employees, including part-time employees were granted a raise with an increase on the base of each salary scale. She said raises ranged from 5% to 8%

Elected officials were also granted raises that will go into effect Jan. 1, which is set by statute.

The annual budget hearing will be at the courthouse in the commissioner meeting room at 5:30 p.m. Monday with adoption on Tuesday during the regular meeting.

Strauch also announced that the commissioners have moved the Aug. 16 meeting to Aug. 23 due to the election and the tour of Washakie County with representatives from the congressional offices.