Laramie County Elected Officials Updates

The quarterly elected officials meeting was held in the Town of Burns, and it was a good opportunity to hear updates from Burns, Albin, Pine Bluffs, Cheyenne, and Laramie County.

These meetings are always valuable because they give each community a chance to share what they are working on, what challenges they are facing, and where we can better support one another as elected officials.

Burns has several local projects moving forward. The town recently completed drilling its first deep well and is continuing to work through water infrastructure needs. They are also making improvements around Town Hall, including additional handicap-accessible parking, gathering quotes to improve the tennis courts, and exploring flooring updates in the community building due to increased use by local groups, church services, and community events.

Burns Day is coming up on June 13, and the community has been working hard to get ready. The gazebo has been updated and will be used as the stage this year, with food trucks, vendors, and family activities planned. They are also continuing work on improvements at the cemetery, including a new road that has required careful planning due to the need to properly identify burial locations.

Albin reported that things have been fairly quiet, with work continuing on the budget and preparations for Albin Day on July 11. They are also staying engaged on the upcoming sixth penny election and the local community's needs.

Cheyenne gave a broad update on city growth, budget increases, housing, data centers, public safety staffing, and downtown development. One important point discussed was the impact data centers are already having on local revenue. Cheyenne’s general fund has grown significantly since 2021, and increases in franchise fees, sales tax, and related revenue show that development is making a real difference.

There was also discussion about the recent pushback on data center projects, including the proposed moratorium that failed at the Cheyenne City Council. The message from that discussion was that Cheyenne and Laramie County remain open for business, but that we also need to keep answering legitimate public questions about impacts, infrastructure, water, power, workforce, and housing.

At the county level, we discussed the ongoing budget process. Oil and gas revenue is down, which affects the county budget, but new development across Laramie County is helping offset some of that pressure. We are also continuing to look at employee compensation, staffing needs, and public safety priorities, including continued support for school resource deputies in our rural schools.

The sixth penny specific-purpose tax was also a major topic. There was a shared understanding that we need to do a better job of explaining how sixth-penny projects benefit every part of Laramie County, not just Cheyenne. Past sixth penny projects have helped fund community centers, public safety buildings, libraries, infrastructure, and other projects that small towns and rural residents rely on.

Pine Bluffs shared updates on industrial development, residential lots, housing, and future library improvements. There is continued interest in bringing more housing and business opportunities to eastern Laramie County, while ensuring development aligns with the community's needs.

Overall, the meeting was a good reminder that every community in Laramie County is facing growth and change in different ways. Whether we are talking about water, roads, housing, public safety, libraries, data centers, or local events, these conversations matter.

I appreciate the Town of Burns for hosting and all of the elected officials who took the time to attend. Staying connected between communities is one of the best ways we can keep Laramie County moving forward together.