Dear editor:

For more than 50 years, the Powell Recreation District has served our community. Since 1974, families have relied on recreation programs that strengthen health, youth development, and community connection.

House Bill 127, now before the Wyoming Legislature, would change how recreation districts are funded statewide. HB 127 would require voters to reauthorize this mill levy every four years. While procedural in appearance, the bill would introduce significant instability into systems that have operated responsibly for decades.

Under current law, many Wyoming school districts designate a 1 mill levy to support local recreation districts. In Park County School District 1, that designation represents about 60% of our operating budget, which has already declined approximately 8%-9% year over year due to reduced property tax revenues. Across Wyoming, recreation districts depend on stable and predictable revenue to manage public programs responsibly.

These funds support youth sports, adult sports, summer academy, youth rec programs, shooting range, summer day camps, etc., as well as the trained staff required to coordinate and operate programs safely. Recreation districts operate within public infrastructure that communities use every day.

Stable funding allows for long term planning, preventative maintenance and workforce stability. Deferred maintenance increases future costs and liability exposure. Unpredictable revenue introduces risk statewide.

Local accountability is already built in. If the goal is taxpayer voice, the current system already provides it through locally elected officials. The rec mill is approved by our local school board — an elected board that reviews and passes the mill levy on an annual basis. This elected board gives voters a recourse if they are dissatisfied with the mill levy.

HB 127 would replace this representative decision-making process with a recurring statewide mandate. Instead of trusting local leaders to manage local priorities, it imposes uniform requirements on every community, regardless of size or need.

Recurring ballot measures also require administrative preparation by county clerk offices, including ballot printing, notices and election administration. These costs are funded through county budgets.

For perspective, on an average Wyoming home, 1 mill equates to less than $32 per year, or about $2.50 per month. In Powell alone, that modest investment supported over 1,000 youth sports participations last year, along with hundreds of other residents participating in recreation programs.

A single failed reauthorization could force program reductions, fee increases, staff cuts, or even the total elimination of a recreation district. 

Wyoming communities have built their recreation systems through decades of fiscal discipline and voter accountability. HB 127 risks replacing that stability with recurring uncertainty. We urge lawmakers to preserve true local control by allowing locally elected officials to continue managing these decisions close to home. The strength of recreation across Wyoming depends on predictable governance and responsible stewardship.

Respectfully submitted, 

Powell Recreation District Board 

Danny Shorb, chairman

Myron Heny, vice chairman

West Hernandez, secretary, NWC rep

Tracy Gates, treasurer

Steve Lensegrav, City of Powell rep

Holly Cole

Mike Heny

Kyle Rohrer, PCSD1 rep