Welcome to the Wyoming Association of Special Districts e-Newsletter!
UPCOMING DATES
Don't miss these important upcoming dates!
  • April 8, 2022 -- Wyoming Association of Special Districts Statewide Meeting, Casper and on Zoom. Information below, with details to follow.
Inside this Newsletter
  • President's Message
  • Membership Drive
  • District Spotlight: Teton Village Resort District
  • Important Dates
  • Quick Info
  • Statewide Meeting
Hello,

The Wyoming Association of Special Districts continues to grow in 2022, seeking to support its members in their activities and to provide a united voice for special districts in the State of Wyoming. This newsletter provides up-to-date information on the current and upcoming activities of WASD.

Have an item for the newsletter? Email wyspecialdistricts@gmail.com to submit information.
Message from the President
Craig Haslam
It’s hard to believe that it was over 5 years ago that while I was in Casper attending a Corporations Committee meeting on Special Districts. I later met with Reg Phillips and Bobbie Frank, and Bobbie introduced the idea of forming a special districts association. At that time, there were a lot of misperceptions about special districts and their ungoverned operations and reserves. The concept of forming an association came from all of the misinformation out there and the need to provide an avenue and a multi-faceted approach for education, information, and clarity of/for special districts and their purposes. Others joined the conversation and soon the birth of the Wyoming Association of Special Districts (WASD) was inevitable. There were many people involved in many conversations as the concept began to grow. A few months later a group of interested people met to discuss what we needed to do and the rest is history.

For the meeting, the word was spread and special district representatives were invited to participate in the discussion of potentially forming WASD. An interim board of Directors were appointed, with the understanding that a Board of Directors would be elected once the association was formed to oversee the work of WASD. Work began on the By-Laws and governance for the Association - all the while continuing the effort to protect special districts from the onslaught of legislation and misinformation that was out there. As the WASD continued to grow, we garnered the interest and support of those being affected with negative information and potential impacts of negative legislation. 

It became apparent as we moved forward there was a continued need for support from one another. The only way we were going to continue to be a positive voice for all special districts in Wyoming was to push forward and provide the resources for training and information required for the successful operation of all special districts. With the impact of COVID, it was apparent that, since we couldn’t meet together that the interim, officers would need to continue forward with the forming of the website and training. With the support of those who joined the WASD, we were able to continue to move forward.

Last year, we were able to join the National Special District Coalition, thanks to their generosity for waiving our dues for the first year. We now not only have a voice in our Great State but on a national level. Through their efforts we have met (virtually) with our Congressmen in D.C. to express our concerns about the federal funding that does not include special districts. 
There isn’t room to add all we have accomplished in what seems like such a short time. There are so many people who have helped to get us to where we are today, but we are nowhere near where we need to be. It will take all of us continuing to push forward, to speak as one voice for all special districts. We have learned in the past that we need to stick together. There is no way I can explain what it means when you walk into a meeting (even virtually) representing WASD supporting one type of special district. It can make such a difference. If there is nothing else that being part of this great endeavor has shown me, it has strengthened my belief in synergy. Synergy is the resolve that the strength of those that come together is so much greater than the sum of their strength individually. 

We need every Special District to become part of the Wyoming Association of Special Districts. Yes, we need financial support, but we need your voice even more. The money stuff we can work around, but we need everyone to understand how important each and every special district is and what they provide for their local communities.  That we need local control over local issues and to continue to provide services that otherwise would not be available. So much more to say but not enough time or space. 

Get involved. Be part of the solution. Join us. 

Thank you,
Craig Haslam
Become a Member Today!
WASD seeks to expand membership, impact
As the challenges facing Special Districts across Wyoming continue to grow and change, the Wyoming Association of Special Districts encourages ALL special districts across the state to become a member of the Association.

Why is growing WASD membership important? Many of you showed up in Cheyenne in 2019 to head off a legislative attempt to diminish authority of Special District Boards. YOU SAW FIRSTHAND THAT THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. 
 
The Board of WASD is extremely grateful to the founding Member Districts whose financial support enabled us to provide the Association’s  infrastructure, online and in person training, information dissemination and legislative advocacy.
The dues schedule on WASD's membership form shows a low financial threshold for membership. WASD's Board serves without compensation. Dues are used exclusively to support communication to and among special districts, develop and provide training, travel reimbursement for statewide meetings or to monitor and provide testimony on legislation impacting special districts and advocate for special district interests. In addition, WASD has officially joined the  National Special Districts Coalition, the only national organization representing and advocating for all special districts at a federal level. Last year, the Coalition expanded its mission to provide direct federal advocacy for special districts to receive the same equitable access to critical federal programs and funding available to other local and state governments.
 
SO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME -- JOIN TODAY to support our statewide efforts to assist the 676 Special Districts with training, timely information, membership interaction/peer assistance and legislative advocacy. Be part of the united voice. 
District Spotlight: Teton Village Resort District
An interview with Executive Director Melissa Turley
With only two resort districts in the state of Wyoming, Teton Village Resort District serves an important role in not only the local economy in Teton County but also in the economy of the state of Wyoming. Executive Director Melissa Turley comments, "Jackson Hole Mountain Resort can host as many as 7,600 skiers, and there are about 2,000 hotel beds in Teton Village. We are the major economic driver in this area for the winter months." 

Turley notes that without Teton Village, the winter economy in Teton County would be much more limited, and the resort district goes a long way in helping to ensure that Teton Village has a thriving infrastructure. "The primary focus of the resort district is to fund capital projects that enhance the guest experience," Turley explains. "Our infrastructure ranges from construction and maintenance of parking lots and road to storm water systems and the Teton Village Commons." About 12 years ago, Teton Village Resort District undertook a major improvement project to build the plaza, which includes an ice rink, playground, pop jet fountain in the summer, and a stream for both viewing and playing. The district also maintains the landscaping in Teton Village, as well as pedestrian way finding, lighting, walkways, and sidewalks. "We have quite a broad range of projects. Some of them are big, shiny projects, but a lot of what we do is maintenance to keep Teton Village in top condition." 

Teton Village Resort District was formed in 2004, after community members worked with members of the Wyoming Legislature to create enabling legislation for resort districts. "Teton Village is not a municipality, so prior to 2004, we had to go to the county to ask for funding for all of our activities. A commercial improvement and service district was formed in 1999, which received some assessments on properties within the district, but we largely had to ask County Commissioners for funding for infrastructure costs." Realizing that Teton Village adds significant sales tax revenues to county and town coffers, continually asking for funds for routine maintenance and capital projects was not only frustrating, but it was cumbersome. Today, the district is funded by a 2% sales tax, which allows them to conduct normal activities without seeking county funding.

Teton Village Resort District has been a member of the Wyoming Association of Special Districts since the association was formed. "I always believe we're stronger together," says Turley on why the district joined WASD. "WASD is a great opportunity to connect with other special districts to look for aligned interests and see what we can accomplish together." She notes that her prior experience on the Jackson Town Council and Teton County Commission have shown her the strength of districts when they work together. "Every special district in the state should join WASD. It's a good opportunity to connect with other organizations. The training opportunities provided are valuable, as are legislative updates and the ability to coordinate our activities."

Turley notes that special districts in Wyoming serve a role that is unique and vital to the people they serve. "Special districts are the government that is closest to the people. They are formed by their constituents to fill needs identified by those they serve. Special districts are so valuable."
The summer at Teton Village is jam-packed with events, including fireworks and community gatherings.
Photo courtesy of Teton Village Resort District
TVRD maintains the infrastructure in Teton Village to provide for both community and tourist enjoyment.
Photo courtesy of Teton Village Resort District.
Click here to enter the Special District Online Training Course. This is a free, comprehensive online special district training program developed by WASD, launched December 2020. The program is self-guided, and you are able to learn and complete coursework at your own pace. Registration is free to special districts! 

This program is designed to help special districts and their board members become familiar with the laws and procedures involved in managing a special district.
Lindsey Woodward, WASD Secretary

"Being on the WASD board is not something I would have chosen for myself. By the time the sign-up sheet got to me at the back of the room, my Weed & Pest colleagues were all turned around pointing at me, grinning.

However, having been not so gently shoved, I am very proud to be involved with this association. Special districts seem to perennially have a big, fat, collective target on them, so even for districts that have a well organized association of their own, it’s important to band together with as many districts as possible. 

It has been gratifying to see this organization continue to come into its own."
Important Dates
All forms can be found at https://publicfunds.wyo.gov/forms.

  • April 8
  • Statewide All-Districts Meeting, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., on Zoom and in Casper, WY

Additional dates available on Department of Audit website.
Statewide Meeting set for April 8
With a number of important deadline coming up, as well as topics of importance emerging, the Wyoming Association of Special Districts will host a statewide meeting for ALL SPECIAL DISTRICTS.

The meeting will be held in Casper, WY and on Zoom from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Registration is FREE for all attendees.

Topics include:
• Special District electronic budget form
• Impact of ad valorem tax distribution
• Legislative advocacy efforts
Coming in the Next Issue....
• Telling Our Story: Why telling the story of special districts to local and state lawmakers and the residents in our Districts is so critical.
• Craft Your Story: We are working on a template to help you craft your elevator speech when you are at civic meetings, luncheons, etc.
The Wyoming Association of Special Districts is a member of the National Special Districts Coalition.