Half a million dollars will be added to the city’s budget to provide seed funding for economic development.
Tuesday night, the Green River City Council approved a mid-year budget amendment to provide additional funding to city budgets, with the $500,000 earmarked for economic development taking up the lion’s share of the $725,000 approved. According to finance manager Chris Meats, sales-tax revenue received by the city was larger than anticipated, allowing the city to provide additional funding to several city departments. Outside of economic development, expenditures listed include $150,000 from the city’s risk management fund to pay for repairs to the solid waste transfer station and $25,000 to the city’s streets department for more ice slicer, as the department has used most of their supply.
Meats said the fund would be used to provide funding for initiatives aimed towards economic development in Green River. Examples he gave include providing extra funding to the Sweetwater Economic Development Coalition or other projects which could help bring businesses to Green River. City Administrator Reed Clevenger said economic development isn’t just focused on SEDC, but also the chambers of commerce in Sweetwater County and the city’s main street organization.
Discussion amongst the Council focused on how much money could be spent from the account without consent from the Council, with the group deciding upon a $5,000 threshold.
Mayor Pete Rust also addressed rumors circulating throughout Green River that the Council has turned away businesses from establishing in the city. Councilwoman Lisa Maes said she was told directly the Council had prevented a Fred Meyer from moving into Green River. Rust said the Council has not turned away any businesses from Green River. Rust said city representatives have actively worked to recruit businesses, but Green River’s population, as well as its close proximity to Rock Springs and its Wal-Mart have worked against them.
“If you don’t have 15,000 people, they’re not going to talk to you,” Rust said.
Other business
While Wyoming Waste Systems admits the last year had its bumps, the private solid waste management company has completed its first year of service in Green River.
According to Valerie McCoy, office manager for Wyoming Waste Systems, the company acknowledges there were problems with its phone lines, including dropped calls, and service as it expanded into the city, but has worked hard to alleviate those issues.
McCoy spoke to the Council Tuesday night, presenting a 2018 overview and update.
Overall, the company has accepted 1,212 gallons of oil and antifreeze, 65 batteries, 66.65 tons of cardboard, 75 car and truck tires, 1,155.82 tons of green waste, 274 gallons of paint, 230 televisions and computer monitors and 4,392.8 tons of standard solid waste, of which 3,866 tons were sent to the landfill before its closure.
During the year, 1,926 people used the transfer station, with 87 people exceeding the 1,800-pound limit.
McCoy said the company is still working on a pricing model for a senior discount requested by members of the Council and requested a workshop meeting with the Council in March to discuss options.
Reader Comments(0)