(Riverton, WY) – The Riverton City Council had their regular meeting earlier this week on Tuesday, April 20.
Main points discussed were a Consideration of Ordinance for the adoption of the 2020 National Electric Code (NEC), airport property sub-division logistics, and the potential waiving of fees for the Riverton Medical District (RMD) hospital.
The fee waivers were the most pressing concern for the night, especially in terms of the affects on potential economic development constructing the RMD hospital will bring.
The 5 fees up for possible waivers were: 3rd party review fees, water meter fees, building permit fees, water tap fees, and sewer fees.
The council decided in a 5 to 1 vote that building, water tap, and sewer fees would be waived for the hospital, with the main reason being that not only does it benefit the hospital, it doesn’t cost the city or taxpayers to do so.
According to the council, if 3rd party inspection and water fees were waived, this would end up costing the city of Riverton money.
One of the chief reasons Mayor Richard Gard gave for being in favor of waiving the fees, is the potential for economic growth the hospital will provide, “around 140 new jobs.”
“We are here as an economical development. If I were them, I’d not only ask for a fee waiver, I’d ask for more money,” Mayor Gard stated. “They are also trying to build this without taxpayer support, which is unique.”
“This is a non-profit hospital, the money it makes will go back into the community,” council member Kristy Salisbury reiterated.
The council again wanted to stress the need to clear up the confusion that might be had because of the hospital’s name.
Usually the word ‘district’ implies that an organization is funded through taxpayer money, such as the ‘Fire District.’ But in this case ‘Riverton Medical District’ is simply the name of the hospital itself.
While Mayor Gard appreciates not everyone in the community is in favor the hospital, he stressed the importance of the stakes.
“If we don’t help in the ways that we can, we may not even get the hospital.”
To view the meeting in it’s entirety, click here.
To view the agenda packet in it’s entirety, click here.
To read all of County 10’s previous and future coverage of the Riverton Medical District, click here.