The preliminary budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year includes $189,475 in special funding requests. All but $50,000 will come from the city’s general fund. The total dollar amount was a jump of nearly $50,000 over last year. Much of the increases were for the Powell Golf Club and Plaza Diane Community Center for the Arts. 

Mayor John Wetzel pointed out that, while the city isn’t “rolling in cash,” it’s in a lot better financial shape than officials expected. 

Powell Golf Club

The golf course requested $55,000, an increase of $31,000 over the previous year. Pat Day, Powell Golf Club Board President, said the past year has been very profitable for the course. While indoor activities were highly restricted by public health orders, outdoor activities were generally encouraged. 

“We are profitable … We will stay profitable. But in turn, I’m going to ask the city to participate at a higher level,” Day said. 

While the request seems large, Wetzel explained it includes $20,000 of capital already available for allocation to the course. Another $20,000 is money the course will match from membership fees. Day said the course expects higher revenues in the coming year, so it’s hoping for the higher match. 

The last $15,000 of the request, Day said, is for when used equipment from other courses comes available. The course never buys new equipment and relies on resale options. Often it’s highly competitive to grab the equipment when it becomes available. By having the $15,000, they could act quickly on such opportunities, not having to wait for the next council meeting for a budget amendment. 

The golf course has “been a huge asset,” Councilor Lesli Spencer said in support of the request. 

Mayor Wetzel noted the clubhouse’s new patio will also likely bring in some more revenue, which would benefit the city.

Plaza Diane

Shelby Wetzel, president of the Plaza Diane Board of Directors, requested $18,675 for exterior painting, which will extend the life of the downtown building.

The organization also wants to have lighting and a sound system for the stage, for $10,000 of their request, which the group will match. A Community Facilities Grant through the Wyoming Business Council, which originally paid for construction and renovation of the venue, didn’t apparently include money for those items.

So, Shelby Wetzel said, they’ve had to use shop lights and “beg, borrow, and steal” sound systems whenever they’ve had outdoor performances.

The special funding request would make Plaza Diane a more “robust venue,” said Shelby Wetzel, who is the mayor’s wife. The board is planning a return of its Plaza at Five series, which will include live entertainment and food trucks on five Thursday nights in June and July, as well as a Renaissance Fair in August. 

“Coming out of COVID, I think this town needs some activity … downtown,” Mayor Wetzel said.

Additional requests

Other requests included $4,000 for Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwest Wyoming. That was a $1,500 increase over the past couple of years. 

Program Director Sarah Schrickling said there’s been more demand for the nonprofit’s services since the pandemic.  

“We’re seeing a pretty steady increase,” Schrickling said. 

Youth Clubs of Park County requested $10,000, which is the same as the past couple years. Tina Bernard, director of the organization, said the program had to shut down last spring, but was able to reopen in summer. The program received some relief from the Park County Commission, and will be opening their doors for free in June.

“For the first time ever, we can say we’re a little bit sustainable,” Bernard said, whereas previously they “lived day to day.” 

She said to maintain that situation, they will need to continue receiving assistance. 

Caring For Powell Animals, which runs the Powell animal shelter, requested $3,900 to cover its insurance.

Powell Economic Partnership requested $50,000, which comes from the city’s economic development fund. Since 2010, Gluten Free Oats’ East Washington Street property and facility developments have been partly financed with more than $1.7 million in grants from the city and state. The city owns the property and facilities, and the company has been paying back the funding through a lease with the city, which supports the city’s economic development fund. 

The annual Northwest College event Paint the Town Red was granted $5,000, instead of the $5,900 it requested. Crisis Intervention, which provides services for domestic abuse victims, was granted $8,000. The Powell Recreation District was granted $7,000, and Powell Senior Center was granted $20,000.