Jackson town councilors and Teton County commissioners are in the midst of paring some $275 million in requests for specific purpose excise tax, or SPET, down to about $100 million.
Already, the two elected bodies have cut requests for $40 million to relocate the fairgrounds and $8.8 million for the South Park Landing West Development along the Snake River. That still leaves 16 SPET applications to consider. And while the South Park landing proposal was technically cut from full consideration, some aspects of the riverside park proposal could still be funded.
Projects that pass muster with councilors and commissioners will ultimately land on the November ballot when voters will have the final say over what gets funded.
Here’s a rundown of the 16 remaining requests that town councilors and county commissioners will be considering when they meet at 3 p.m. today:
• St. John’s Health Hitching Post Redevelopment Workforce Rental Housing
SPET request: $24 million
St. John’s Health is looking to convert existing Hitching Post units on 1.65 acres across the street from the hospital to housing for additional patients, families and staff.
By creating about 100 apartments of varying sizes and uses, St. John’s said in its request it would “ensure the critical delivery of health care and emergency services” amid hiring difficulties.
Currently, Hitching Post operates as a series of cabins reserved for long-term and traveling employees, on-call staff who need a short-term stay closer to campus, and patients. All told, there are 34 units divided between those uses. The new development would triple existing capacity and look more like a hotel. A rezone to public-semiprivate is in progress.
The hospital intends to pay a third of the $75 million project cost, while philanthropic donations through St. John’s Health Foundation and SPET would each supply the other two thirds.
In an interview with the Jackson Hole Daily, St. John’s CEO David Robertson acknowledged the strengths of other housing SPET requests, but said the hospital proposal gives taxpayers the most bang for their buck.
Because the hospital already owns the land and plans to match SPET dollars 2:1, with the help of its foundation, Robertson said “the value is just extraordinarily compelling.”
“There’s no way St. John’s Health could ever tackle this project on its own,” he said. “It would deplete every resource we have.”
• Teton County Transportation Alternatives
Total cost: $26.3 million
SPET request: $20 million
This project aims to improve biking, walking and riding buses around Teton County, especially near Wilson. The proposed components have partial funding through a 2020 U.S. Department of Transportation Discretionary BUILD Grant and a contribution from the Wyoming Department of Transportation. But local funding is necessary to complete the project.
The money will fund construction of a Stilson transit center, prioritizing buses at 13 traffic signals, creating pathways and sidewalks in Wilson, a grade-separated crossing for walkers and bikers across Highway 22 near the Wilson Elementary School, as well as ADA and cyclist improvements on Scott Lane, Maple Way, Gregory Lane, Willow Street, South Park Loop, and around the high school and middle school. An estimated timeline shows the projects being finished in 2025.
• Teton County Fire Stations
Total cost: $7.5 million each for Wilson and Hoback
SPET request: $7.5 million each for Wilson and Hoback
The Wilson and Hoback fire stations are “well past” their life expectancies, Fire Chief Brady Hansen said in two nearly identical SPET applications. The need and goal with both stations is the same: To replace the old stations with new, earthquake-proof ones that have room for vehicles, firefighting training needs, ADA access and bathrooms. Replacing the stations, both applications said, would cost $7.5 million each and would start as soon as funds become available. The two projects would include employee housing. These projects are the next priority for the fire department following this month’s opening of the newly revamped Jackson Fire Station on Pearl Avenue.
• Teton County Employee Housing
Total cost: $32.9 million
SPET request: $20 million
Teton County already owns the property at 252 and 254 E. Simpson Ave., where they’re hoping to build multi-family rental housing for county government employees in a mixed-use building with office and residential space by 2025. SPET money would be used for the residential portion of the project.
Exit interviews show that increasing numbers of county staff are leaving employment due to housing constraints, the application said. Job offers also are being declined due to housing-related challenges. When staff are not available to perform essential functions, that work is often outsourced at a much higher cost, which increases the expense required to run local government.
The county lists its services in the SPET application as including but not limited to fire prevention; EMS services; public and environmental health services; emergency management; waste management; the provision of housing; code compliance, electrical and building inspections; and infrastructure maintenance.
• Community Housing Fund
Total cost: Estimated $250,000 per unit for a minimum of 75 units
SPET request: $20 million
In the only SPET request for funding to build housing not directly connected to employment, the Teton County Housing Department is seeking funds to streamline existing public-private efforts to create as much housing as possible for the least public investment, said the application from the town and county. This includes working with Habitat for Humanity, the Jackson Hole Community Housing Trust, private for-profit developers, and others “as opportunities arise,” the application said. Specific project sites and timelines aren’t listed, rather, the application said priorities would be based on the Housing Department’s Housing Supply Plan portfolio.
• Water Quality Master Plan Implementation
SPET request: $10 million
Water quality advocates and public works officials are looking for funds to plan, design, engineer and build water quality infrastructure in Teton County.
The requested $10 million in SPET funding would support projects identified in the ongoing water quality master planning effort, which will wrap up in early 2024 and will lay out a 20-year plan for managing and improving water quality in Teton County. The application is supported by Teton County Public Works, Town of Jackson, Teton Conservation District and Protect Our Water Jackson Hole.
SPET funds wouldn’t start being collected until 2024. Officials are considering taking out loans against those funds before 2024 to secure millions in state and federal funding for nearer term projects. The $10 million is expected to be a small fraction of the total needed to build water quality infrastructure.
“We know there’s more than $10 million worth of need,” said Chris Colligan, the Teton County project manager overseeing the water quality plan. “We see it as more of a starting place.”
Possible nearer term projects could include connecting about 30 homes to the public Wilson sewer district — a $2 million project that already has $1.5 million in state grant dollars — and a $700,000 town project to treat stormwater near Mad River Boat Trips before it flows into Flat Creek. Other possible near-term projects include building water quality infrastructure in Hoback, which could cost nearly $20 million, and setting up a $700,000 septic system replacement fund.
• Town of Jackson Housing
SPET request: $20 million
The town is looking to develop three town-owned properties as a mix of employee-owned and employee rental housing.
The three properties are 55 Karns Meadow Drive, 485 Flat Creek Drive and two lots at 675 and 685 E. Hansen Ave. The Karns Meadow proposal is a 22,530 square foot, three-story residential building with 24 apartments providing 36 bedrooms to create homes for 67 people.
“The mix of rental apartments would be 12 two-bedroom units, 6 one-bedroom units, and five studio units to maximize the use of the space while providing adequate square footage,” the application stated.
The Flat Creek Drive development would construct multiple employee-owned homes, while the East Hansen Avenue development would maximize the residential use of the lots, the application said.
• Town of Jackson Walkable Community
This project aims to improve the walkability and accessibility of town to create a safer, healthier community, the application said. The project would improve access for residents and visitors throughout town by filling in missing sections of sidewalks, installing new sidewalks consistent with the Community Streets Plan, improving ADA accessibility, replacing existing boardwalks and sidewalks, improving pedestrian safety and mobility, and improving wayfinding, according to the application.
• Good Samaritan Mission: Transitional Housing for Families
SPET request: $10 million
The Good Samaritan Mission, which provides aid to those who may be homeless or hurting, plans to build a 30-unit transitional housing facility at a cost of $23 million.
The units will be primarily two- and three-bedroom homes for families and single women, according to the application.
“We will provide these families more than a safe place to sleep,” the application said. “We will make sure the families have adequate food and clothing, as well as other necessities of life, including physical and mental health evaluations and training.”
The facility also would include office space, community space and employee housing.
• Teton Youth and Family Services: Building Brighter Futures
Teton Youth and Family Services has operated in the valley for the last 45 years, providing services to improve the lives of suffering children and families throughout the area, according to the nonprofit.
“Over the years TYFS facilities have aged and need upgrading. Additionally, in recent years, best practices for housing troubled youth have advanced significantly to ensure child safety. Hirschfield Center for Children, Van Vleck Group Home, and Red Top Meadows are known throughout the community and state for their comprehensive programming to heal cycles of abuse, neglect, behavioral, emotional, and mental health issues. This project includes enhancements to programming,” stated the TYFS application.
Upgrades included in the project would take place at the Hirschfield Center for Children and Van Vleck Group Home, both at 510 S. Cache St. Additionally, Red Top Meadows at 7905 S. Fall Creek Road in Wilson would see upgrades.
• Central Wyoming College: Jackson Outreach College
Total cost: $25.5 million
SPET request: $10 million
Central Wyoming College is building a 21,000-square-foot facility on High School Road that would house a permanent location for the college in Teton County.
The new campus would be on a 2-acre lot that is currently under a signed purchase contract.
“Establishing this campus in Teton County is essential to continue to address the educational needs of a diverse community,” according to the application. “From health care, early childhood education certification, hospitality, English as a Second Language, concurrent courses, and more — CWC works hard to provide exceptional higher education opportunities and classes for many. This educational center will continue our established relationships with businesses, community organizations, and provide advanced classes to TCSD students.”
• Friends of Munger Mountain: Teton County Conservation Leasing Fund
SPET request: $10 million
The Friends of Munger Mountain project would establish a fund to support conservation of Teton County state- or privately-owned lands. The fund would protect “the natural, recreational or wildlife values of a property while generating revenue for private or state landowners,” according to the application.
Friends of Munger Mountain expect the fund to complement private donations of money or land interests.
“Properties with high-priority conservation values (e.g. lands that are identified in Teton County’s critical habitat maps or other properties identified by Wyoming Game & Fish as critical in nature) will be prioritized. Conservation opportunities will likely include continuation of, and enhancements to, public benefits such as recreational access and amenities,” the application said.
• Assisted Living and Adult Day Care
SPET request: $20 million
The goal of this project would be to establish a senior assisted-living and adult day care facility in Teton County, with the application noting the void created when “Legacy Lodge closed one year ago and moved residents out of the county and out of state.”
The project would either use a vacant existing structure or require the purchase of land and construction of a new building, the application said.
Kevin Cochary, who spoke as the applicant’s representative before town councilors and county commissioners at their May 9 joint meeting, acknowledged there was some ambiguity to the request but stressed the need for such services in Teton County, particularly after Legacy Lodge’s closure.
Electeds expressed understanding, but it’s unclear where this project application stands versus other more shovel-ready projects.
• Energy Conservation Works: Community Energy Leverage Fund
SPET request: $10 million
Energy Conservation Works is seeking $10 million to help fund community solar and/or local renewable energy generation projects.
The SPET money could be used as local matching funds to secure local, state and federal funding. In addition to renewable projects, the money could support alternative fuel transportation projects, energy audits, planning, design, and construction, of energy conservation and emissions reductions projects benefiting Teton County, according to the application.
There are no specific locations cited for the request, though the application said that community solar and electric vehicle charging station projects “may require the acquisition or leasing of private property or an agreement for the use of the public property.”
• Teton County School District: Housing and Facilities
Total cost: $52.5 million
SPET request: $32.5 million
Teton County School District Superintendent Gillian Chapman explained to town councilors and country commissioners that the SPET ask would cover one-third of the cost of building the Bronc Achievement Center and pay for building 24 units of employee housing on district-owned property.
Chapman told councilors and commissioners at their last SPET meeting that the district has difficulty recruiting and retaining teachers and staff because of the tight housing market. She also described a crisis of space for students within existing facilities, which creates the need for the Bronc Achievement Center. The achievement center would at least partially alleviate that problem for certain school functions.
Outside of SPET funding, options for the projects are few, she said.
“We are shovel-ready, and we’ve been working on these, this long-range strategic plan, for more than a year,” Chapman said. “As the school district, we have no other option.
“We can’t go into debt. We can’t borrow money. So this is our only shot, and for housing in particular, the state school funding does not provide any funding for housing.”
— Reporters Evan Robinson-Johnson, Sophia Boyd-Fliegel, Billy Arnold and Timothy J. Woods contributed to this report.