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June 25, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
At Monday’s meeting, the Town Council completed third and final reading and adopted the FY 2027 budget. I recognize that budgets may not be exciting, but they are really plans for how the Town maintains services, invests in infrastructure, and prepares for future needs. This year’s budget also includes several steps intended to make our finances clearer and more disciplined, including separate tracking for newly revised state Direct Distribution funds and reserves for future street needs.
Council also continued taking steps related to long-term planning. The newly created drought contingency reserve sets aside $100,000 within the Water Fund for possible emergency water-supply or water-system needs. While the Town has good storage rights in Fremont Lake, changing reservoir conditions or Colorado River Compact-related water administration could create practical challenges if water levels fall low enough to require temporary pumping or other measures. The new chip seal reserve will help the Town preserve funds for future pavement preservation projects, especially after this year’s chip seal bids showed how expensive smaller stand-alone projects can become. Water, streets, parks, and public spaces all require steady planning long before there is an emergency or a visible failure.
Council also approved the mayoral appointment of Katherine Tolley to the Park & Tree Board and the reappointment of Tesa Manning to the Planning & Zoning Commission, where Tesa has done a great job. These volunteer boards do important, often unseen work that helps shape the community. I appreciate those who willingly give their time in monthly service to Pinedale, and I would encourage residents who may be interested in serving on a board or commission in the future to contact Town Hall.
Council also adopted clearer rules for Town parks and 210 W. Pine Street. Most of these rules are common sense: clean up after yourself, respect nearby property, protect grass and irrigation, and leave public spaces ready for the next family or event. Unfortunately, we continue to see littering, misuse, and occasional vandalism in our parks. These spaces belong to all of us, and damage or cleanup costs are ultimately paid by the public. A little care from everyone helps keep our parks welcoming, clean, and safe. If you see litter and can safely pick it up, please do. If you see misuse or vandalism, a respectful word may sometimes help, but serious or ongoing problems should be reported to Town staff or law enforcement.
Council also updated the Town’s water and sewer late-fee structure. Previously, late fees were set as fixed charges that increased the longer an account remained unpaid. The updated approach moves to a simpler percentage-based late fee on past-due balances. The purpose is to make the policy clearer, easier to administer, and fairer across accounts of different sizes, while helping keep the utility funds healthy.
The Pinedale Travel and Tourism Commission also reported another strong year, with lodging-tax revenue representing approximately $8.7 million in local lodging receipts, up from about $6.5 million in 2019. These funds are restricted for promoting travel and tourism, especially overnight stays in our hotels and short-term rentals — or, as we say, “heads in beds.” Lodging-tax dollars help support events such as Rocky Mountain STOL, Rendezvous, Brew Fest, Race to Raise, Stage Stop, youth sports tournaments, and arts programming. These events benefit residents and bring visitors to Pinedale. Statewide tourism data shows that visitor spending extends well beyond lodging, because travelers also buy meals, fuel, supplies, entertainment, and services. That is the goal: bring people to Pinedale, support local businesses, and help visitor dollars circulate through the local economy.
Finally, as more of us head into the mountains for hiking, camping, and summer recreation, please be especially fire aware. A new Kinky Creek Fire has started in the Gros Ventre Wilderness, and regional fire danger is already high. Pinedale Airport is expected to support firefighting operations as helicopters stage here to assist with the response. Please be careful with campfires, vehicles, trailers, and anything that could spark a fire. One careless moment can put firefighters, public lands, and private property at risk.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, July 13 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
June 18, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
The Town’s FY 2027 budget has now passed second reading and continues to move toward final adoption on June 22. The updated budget maintains balanced day-to-day operations while responsibly setting aside funds for major infrastructure, equipment, airport, street, pathway, and utility needs. It also creates a clearer separate fund for state Direct Distribution dollars provided through 2026 legislation, helping show how those funds will be used for practical maintenance priorities like equipment, building repairs, and crosswalk striping. Overall, this budget reflects careful planning: maintaining core services today while preparing for the needs Pinedale will face in the years ahead.
With the budget moving forward, it is worth remembering that municipal budgets are not just spreadsheets. They support the parks, streets, equipment, public spaces, public safety coordination, utilities, and staff work that make community life possible. That becomes especially visible in summer, when Pinedale is full of activity and many organizations are working together to welcome residents and visitors.
As part of the budget, the Town is also continuing practical safety improvements such as crosswalk striping. With more children, bicyclists, pedestrians, and visitors moving around town in the summer, consider this a friendly reminder from someone who is nearly missed in crosswalks more often than I would like: drivers, please slow down and watch carefully at crossings. For bicyclists, the safest and clearest practice is to hop off and walk your bike across the crosswalk. If you ride through a crosswalk, you may not be treated the same as a pedestrian; if you walk your bike across, you are clearly acting as one. A little extra caution from everyone can make a busy summer safer.
I am especially looking forward to this year’s Town of Pinedale Fourth of July Celebration at American Legion Park. The day will include our community picnic and potluck, with the Town providing hamburgers and hot dogs, the Pinedale Farmers Market continuing until 1:00 p.m., live music from the Pinedale Fine Arts Council beginning later in the afternoon, and fireworks at sundown from the Dudley Key Ballfields. As our country marks 250 years, it seems fitting to gather in a simple, local way: sharing food, listening to music, seeing neighbors, and remembering that self-government is lived most directly in communities like ours.
The following week, Pinedale will welcome Green River Rendezvous, July 9–12. Rendezvous remains one of our defining community traditions, drawing together the parade, pageant, vendors, Museum of the Mountain Man events, local businesses, volunteers, residents, and visitors. It is a good reminder that Pinedale’s history is not only something we look back on, but something we continue to steward and share.
The Town is also continuing to accept applications to fill the Council seat vacated by Scott Kosiba. Service on the Council requires time, preparation, and a willingness to listen, learn, and work through difficult issues. If you have considered becoming involved in local government, I would encourage you to submit an application before the June 25 deadline.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our next meeting is Monday, June 22 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
June 11, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
Much of local government involves balancing today's needs with tomorrow's responsibilities. Several items from Monday's Council meeting reflect exactly that challenge.
This week the Town will begin accepting applications to fill the Town Council seat being vacated by Scott Kosiba. Scott was first elected in 2022 and has served the community thoughtfully and faithfully during his time on Council. I want to thank him for his service and willingness to dedicate his time and energy to the Town. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him and his family all the best in whatever comes next. Applications will be accepted by close of business June 25th, with interviews and appointment anticipated at the July 13 Town Council meeting.
For those who may be interested in applying, serving on the Town Council is a meaningful but real commitment. In addition to two regular Council meetings each month, Council members are typically expected to attend at least one board or commission meeting, review agenda materials, respond to citizen questions and concerns, and participate in budget and planning discussions. Realistically, prospective Council members should expect to dedicate twenty or more hours each month to the position. If you care about the future of Pinedale and are willing to invest the time, I would encourage you to consider applying.
Council will also hold a budget workshop on June 15 as we begin development of the FY27 budget. Communities across Wyoming continue to face rising infrastructure and maintenance costs, and Pinedale is no exception. Earlier this spring, Council reviewed a proposed chip-seal program totaling roughly $830,000 for the Lincoln Street and Fox Willow areas. In an effort to reduce costs, Council asked staff to separate the projects and rebid only the Fox Willow portion. Even then, the revised bid came back with mobilization costs representing more than half of the approximately $255,000 project cost. Mobilization refers to the cost of bringing equipment, crews, traffic control, and materials into place before the actual work begins. On a larger project, those fixed costs are usually spread across more work; on a smaller project, they can become a much larger percentage of the total. After discussion, Council determined it was not prudent to proceed under the current bid structure and instead will explore incorporating the work into a larger future project where those costs can be spread more efficiently.
This illustrates one of the challenges facing communities across Wyoming. Routine maintenance remains essential, but the cost of performing that maintenance has increased dramatically in recent years. At the same time, postponing maintenance is rarely free. Infrastructure does not usually fail all at once. It deteriorates gradually until repairs become significantly more expensive. Engineers often estimate that a dollar spent on preventive maintenance can avoid four to ten dollars in future rehabilitation or reconstruction costs. That reality makes infrastructure planning one of the most important - and challenging - responsibilities of local government.
The Town's digital portal through Blueblade is now live and will help streamline permitting, licensing, and other interactions with Town administration. What began in Pinedale through a National League of Cities’ grant is now expanding through the Wyoming Association of Municipalities as part of a broader statewide effort to modernize local government services and improve access for residents and businesses alike.
Last week I had the opportunity to attend the Wyoming Association of Municipalities Summer Convention in Laramie, where municipal leaders from across the state gathered to discuss issues facing Wyoming communities. While every community is different, many are grappling with the same issues we see here in Pinedale involving infrastructure costs, housing, economic development, permitting, and local government finance. I also had the opportunity to moderate a gubernatorial forum featuring the three announced candidates for Governor, discussing issues ranging from local control and municipal finance to housing, infrastructure, and economic development.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Our special budget workshop is Monday, June 15th at 10:30 a.m., which is open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend.
May 12, 2026
Hello Pinedale, some weeks remind us more directly that a town is really built through people, traditions, volunteerism, and the long-term work of caring for a community. This time of year brings many of those things together at once — schools preparing for graduation, crews preparing for summer work, organizations planning events, and neighbors beginning to gather outdoors again.
First, congratulations in advance to the Skyline Academy Class of 2026, which will graduate May 28, and the Pinedale High School Class of 2026, which will graduate May 29 at 6:00 p.m. at Sheppard Auditorium. Since COVID, the Town and SCSD #1 will once again place senior banners on our main street light poles, a tradition that has become a meaningful way for the broader community to recognize and celebrate our graduates as they prepare for what comes next. It is a simple tradition, but a good one. We are proud of these students and grateful for the families, teachers, coaches, mentors, and community members who helped them reach this milestone.
Looking ahead, this year’s Fourth of July will also carry special significance as our nation marks its 250th anniversary. The Town would like to make the annual community barbecue and potluck a fuller community event, with games, vendors, crafts, and information tables for nonprofits, churches, and civic groups. More information will come from Town Hall, but this is a good opportunity for organizations to begin thinking about how they might participate. At its best, July 4th is not only a celebration of independence, but also a reminder of shared citizenship, gratitude, and the work of building community together.
That theme also showed up at this month’s meeting of the Sublette County Resource Network. Across our community, organizations are quietly doing important work: the Backpack Program has completed another successful year and is expanding partnerships; Rendezvous Pointe is looking for volunteer drivers as it explores expanding Meals on Wheels; the Summer Lunch Program begins June 9 and daily serves 35-40 local children during the summer months; and local groups continue to coordinate support for families, seniors, youth, and those facing difficult transitions. Much of this work happens without much attention, but it is part of what makes a small community strong.
At this Monday’s Town Council meeting, one practical infrastructure issue also came before Council in our discussion of this year’s annual chip-seal work. The initial estimate was approximately $827,000 for about 60,000 square yards of street maintenance, compared to roughly $400,000 for 45,000 square yards last year — an increase of roughly 55% per square yard in just one year. Because of the increased cost, Council discussed the likelihood that the Town may only be able to move forward with the Fox Willow neighborhood during FY26, while potentially setting aside funding for the larger Lincoln-area work in FY27. No final decision has been made, and those discussions will continue as Council begins work on the FY26 budget in June. Some of this increase is tied to petroleum-related costs, and some reflects broader construction inflation. Either way, it illustrates a challenge we have discussed before: routine maintenance is getting more expensive, and delaying it usually costs more later. This is the kind of long-term infrastructure pressure many Wyoming communities are currently facing.
As always, the public is welcome at Town Council meetings. Due to Memorial Day, our next meeting is Wednesday, May 20 at 5:00 p.m., and questions are always welcome.
May 5, 2026
Hello Pinedale,
As I write this week’s note, snow falls in Pinedale again, which is still fairly typical for a Pinedale spring, and we begin looking toward summer, there are a few updates and opportunities worth sharing.
Among the multiple reports I receive, the recent data from the University of Wyoming’s monthly CREW reports, along with Pinedale’s travel and tourism trends, continue to reflect gradual shifts in Wyoming’s economy. While energy remains central, communities like Pinedale are seeing more seasonal visitation and a broader mix of activity. That pattern is also being noted outside the state — in fact,* Pinedale was recently mentioned in a national Travel + Leisure article highlighting mountain communities drawing increased interest. Some will welcome that, others will not, but change is part of the reality in front of us.
That shift brings both opportunity and responsibility, and at times tension. Supporting local businesses and jobs matters, but so does making sure that infrastructure, housing, and services keep pace. The question is not whether change comes, but how it is directed and how we preserve what makes this community special and unique. As these trends continue, the Town Council remains focused on thoughtful, locally driven decisions intended to protect the character and quality of life that define Pinedale, even as our community continues to evolve.
I also want to give a personal shout out to my friend Valerie Lee, who recently performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City under composer Eric Whitacre. Val was selected by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) to participate in this performance alongside singers from around the world. Many in our community know her through her long involvement in local arts, including co-founding the Pinedale Theatre Company and directing Voices 8 and the Sisters of the Heart women’s hospice choir. It is great to see someone so invested in this community recognized on such a stage.
And I want to thank Town staff for the steady work they do every day to keep Pinedale running well.
There are also several upcoming opportunities for community involvement. The Town is currently accepting proposals for annual service contracts, with submissions due by May 13 at 4:00 p.m. Pinedale Travel & Tourism is accepting applications for its 2026–27 grant cycle, supporting events that bring visitors to the area, with a deadline of May 14 at noon. In addition, vendor applications for this summer’s Green River Rendezvous are now open. These opportunities are a reminder that many of the events and services in our community depend on local participation and initiative.
Following Tuesday’s municipal election, I also want to thank the residents of Pinedale for the opportunity to continue serving as Mayor for another term. Local government works best when people stay engaged, ask questions, vote, and remain invested in the future of the community. I am grateful for the continued trust and support, and it remains a privilege to serve this town alongside the Town Council, staff, and community.
As always, I encourage you to reach out directly to me or any member of the Town Council. We are always glad to talk in person or by phone and make sure information is clear and understood. The public is always welcome at Town Council meetings, and our next meeting is May 11 at 5:00 p.m. Questions are always welcome.