JACKSON, Wyo. — A new sewer district encompassing the Flat Creek Inn and the Elk Refuge Inn on North Highway 89 was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 13.
The Elk Refuge Sewer District’s goal is to build a system that connects the two Inns to the Town of Jackson’s sewer system and was one of the potential future sewer districts identified in the recently approved Water Quality Management Plan to combat water quality issues in the region.
The Commission opted to waive the requirements for a detailed description of how the new system would operate, allowing the applicant more time to explore planning and funding possibilities, especially because the district only includes two properties.
Chief Deputy County Attorney Keith Gingery explained that Wyoming statute allows for the waiver, so long as no construction of the system occurs before the detailed description is brought before the commissioners for approval.
The next step for the sewer district formation is a board of directors election. Because the district covers just two properties, the owners of the Elk Refuge Inn and the Flat Creek Inn will be sent ballots by mail to vote for the Sewer District Board. The petition submitted to the county included four candidates willing to serve a three-year term.
State statute says that written objections can be filed with the County Clerk within 30 days of the petition hearing and if signed by owners of at least 35% of the assessed valuation of a property within the district the formation will fail, like in the case of the foiled Hog Island water and sewer district in 2018. In this case, there are only two property owners within the district, and both signed the petition for formation.
“I’m delighted to see this moving forward,” Commission Chair Luther Propst said during the meeting. “This is a great step for water quality in the valley,”
Protect Our Water Jackson Hole Interim Executive Director Dan Heilig spoke during public comment to share his support for the project. Heilig has also been involved with the ongoing efforts by the Hoback Water and Sewer District to build a water system for Hoback Junction residents.
“This action has been identified as a priority in the water quality management plan,” Heilig said. “We are looking forward to the day, hopefully not in the too-distant future when there is actually a sewer line extending north from town out to these two busy motels.”
