JACKSON, Wyo. — On Monday, Jan. 29 and Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Jackson Town Council met at the Wort Hotel for a two-day retreat to look back on FY2023 numbers, make projections for the FY2024 budget and plan out the rest of the year.
Following the retreat, the Town has shared current sales and lodging tax numbers, regional trends, budget costs and 2024 work plans. The Town of Jackson anticipates a busy year ahead with work projects.
Plans include: a hillside Land Development Regulation (LDR) update, environmental analysis of the Karns Meadow project and creating a long-range work plan and indicator report.
Other town sector goals have been outlined in the retreat minutes. Public Works has committed to the Gregory Lane, Stilston and Stormwater projects, along with providing an update to wastewater policies and improvements to the Snow King Events Center.
Town housing projects will encompass the 90 Virginian Lane ground lease and development selection and accessible housing policy upgrades. Regional transportation 2024 projects include: Modernizing Mobility in west Jackson, researching options for transportation funding, continuing the Safe Streets for All project and conducting a traffic impact study and travel demand management strategy.
START will provide an evaluation of the airport shuttle ridership. Pathways will focus on Safe Streets for All and safety enhancement construction at Garaman Park.
The Town’s administration will work on the rodeo grounds’ lease extension, a five-year staffing plan and a town budget strategy. Ecosystem stewardship will encompass a continuation of the Town’s Sustainability Plan, a Green House Gas Emissions Inventory, a 2024 building code review and adoption and an implementation to the Right to Nature Ordinance and Pay as You Throw Pricing/Alcohol Beverage Container Ordinance.
In 2023, County Commissioners projected a 3% increase in Sales and Lodging. To date the sales tax is $89,147 ahead of projections and the lodging tax is $51,538 behind projections. According to the Joint Funding Committee, the Town’s budget reserve is $716,290 ahead for building permits and rodeo concessionaire fees. Expenditures in 2023 — including costs in professional services, county compensation adjustment and health, human services and 12 unfilled active positions — left the budget $934,254 behind.
Park visitation has increased since 2022. Grand Teton National Park reported a 28% increase in visitors and Yellowstone National Park reported a 49% increase in visitors.
Sales and lodging tax collections and General Fund reports will be provided to the Council on a monthly basis and the next fiscal update will be in April 2024.
The Town Council will convene for its regular scheduled meeting on Monday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m.
