Saratoga Town Council

Saratoga Town Council - Four Year Term

Michael E. Cooley

PO Box 1833

Saratoga, WY 82331

[email protected]

1. Since 2021, Saratoga has seemed to face a housing crunch due to low inventory, a seeming lack of attainable housing and the rise in short-term rentals. What are you prepared to propose the Town of Saratoga do to address these issues?
2. I feel the town is very concerned about affordable housing. There is only so much that the town can do, I am open to any suggestions. This is not just a Saratoga issue; this is a statewide problem. I personally do not believe the housing situation is due to short term rentals. The high prices on the homes for sale and high rental costs have contributed to this issue. I have a hard time telling people what they can and cannot do on their property - as long as they are staying within the codes and are in compliance with them.
3. For nearly two decades, Never Forget Park has been fundraising towards construction. Now, construction costs have ballooned, seeming to prolong the already prolonged project. What do you think the Town of Saratoga should, or could, do in helping the committee find other stakeholders for the project?
4. In the year and a half that I have been on the Council, we have come up with a plan and design that we are implementing now. We have put forth a lot of effort to get this park moving forward.
5. Saratoga’s tourism industry seems to continue to be growing, meanwhile local businesses which support that industry are struggling to recruit and retain staff. What do you believe the Town of Saratoga can do to aid these local businesses?
6. We are currently working with the Carbon County Tourism Board and have appointed Ellie Dana to be on the board. She is currently looking into how to attract people to our community that are willing to work for our local businesses. There is only so much that a town can do as a governing body, but we are doing what we can to help promote our town. I am very open to suggestions and comments.
7. What would you hope to accomplish for Saratoga during your time on the council?
8. Continue to work on infrastructure, i.e., water lines, sewer lines, roads, and the betterment of the community. We need to continue to work on what our town already has to offer. I support the walking path between the schools and also the area around the Hot Springs, Veterans’ Island, and to the downtown area.

Saratoga Town Council - Four Year Term

Nanette "Chia" Valdez

PO Box 1872

Saratoga, WY 82331

(307) 326-5300

[email protected]

1. Since 2021, Saratoga has seemed to face a housing crunch due to low inventory, a seeming lack of attainable housing and the rise in short-term rentals. What are you prepared to propose the Town of Saratoga do to address these issues?
2. 2021 housing was the beginning of what has become Saratoga’s, as well as the Nations housing crisis. Moreover, our little Valley was discovered by more out of staters than ever before in Saratoga’s history. Our town, needless to say, is not prepared for what is coming at us. Investors have come in and bought up available housing which were turned into STRs. Saratoga is not prepared, in terms of STRs (Short Term Rentals). We don’t even have registration or regulation forms. As a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission, a year ago Saratoga had 47 STRs, then 60….now as of this date we have over 100 STRs with no accountability, some are in RD 7200 Single family residential housing, no commercial business is allowed yet we have STRs in RD 7200.

As a 3rd generation WY gal we live and die by Private Property Rights. Agreed. My concern is when do your neighbors' private property rights infringe on your property rights?

How do we address these issues? Number one, taking the bull by the horns and acknowledging that Saratoga is in the same boat with the same housing challenges as every other small town in rural Wyoming. Sadly, Saratoga has the largest number of STRs in the state with nor registration or accountability in place.

*** Saratoga Comprehensive Master Plan Goals (2016) mandates under:

Residential Neighborhoods- Housing mandates

* Expand range of housing type, including independent seniors housing, assisted living and workforce housing.

* RETENTION of QUALITY neighborhoods.

* Incentive options for development of AFFORDABLE housing.

I reiterate my goals are in alignment with the Saratoga Comprehensive Master Plan 2016. Incentivizing builders to invest in and partner with the town in order to build “Work Force Housing, Affordable Housing and Senior housing”. Communication and collaboration is the key to compliance. A realistic vision, yet honoring Saratoga's heritage and our communities core values.

1. For nearly two decades, Never Forget Park has been fundraising towards construction. Now, construction costs have ballooned, seeming to prolong the already prolonged project. What do you think the Town of Saratoga should, or could, do in helping the committee find other stakeholders for the project?
2. In regards to NFP (formerly Tyler Pickett Park) over the past decade the

‘Public Trust’ has slowly eroded, with what appears to be lack of accountability and transparency. That said, until the public is provided with a line item, detailed accounting of where the money has gone (hundreds of thousands of dollars) perhaps then the Public Trust may be restored, then more folks would be willing to become shareholders?

1. Saratoga’s tourism industry seems to continue to be growing, meanwhile local businesses which support that industry are struggling to recruit and retain staff. What do you believe the Town of Saratoga can do to aid these local businesses?
2. In terms of Saratoga's tourism industry and retaining staff, once again, this challenge goes back to housing, specifically “workforce housing.” Solution: incentivizing construction companies and developers to partner with the town in building “workforce housing.”
3. What would you hope to accomplish for Saratoga during your time on the council?
4. If elected it would be my honor and privilege to serve on the Saratoga Town Council.

Governing with a servant's heart, moreover, with a vision of attainable, realistic goals to create with the other council members some kind of guard rails to deal with the inevitable changes coming our way, yet maintaining Saratoga’s authenticity.

My code of ethics mirrors that of our States Legislators, where back in March 2010 issued an act declaring “The Code of the West “ as the official state code.

-Do what has to be done.

- Be tough, but fair

- Embracing honesty, integrity and the respect for the land as we strive to ride for the brand.

Doing nothing is negligent.

Saratoga Town Council - Two Year Unexpired Term

Sophia Borg

PO Box 148

Saratoga, WY 82331

1. Since 2021, Saratoga has seemed to face a housing crunch due to low inventory, a seeming lack of attainable housing and the rise in short-term rentals. What are you prepared to propose the Town of Saratoga do to address these issues?
2. First and foremost I think the term “short term rental” needs to be defined by the Town of Saratoga and once defined than the Properties can be addressed. The Town needs to look at the Zoning and the Ordinances that are already in place and enforce these laws for these Properties. Airbnb’s are a great way for tourists to stay in Saratoga, but the amount of Airbnb’s or Vrbo’s do need to be capped off at a certain number. These rental properties are limiting our long-term rentals for people our community needs, as in teachers, medical professionals, and Locals looking for affordable housing, or people coming to Saratoga to work. Also, there should be a Town Sales tax on these Vacation Rentals. These taxes are very common in other tourist towns throughout the State, and would be beneficial to the Town. If the current owners of these “Short Term Vacation Rentals” do not want to pay the Town Sales Tax, then they could have the option to open the Property to long term rentals (at least a year) and forgo the Town Tax. There is a solution for all sides. Another problem is that instead of these luxury Townhomes or Condos, I think we need some affordable workforce housing. Housing that people can afford to live in, while working in Saratoga.
3. For nearly two decades, Never Forget Park has been fundraising towards construction. Now, construction costs have ballooned, seeming to prolong the already prolonged project. What do you think the Town of Saratoga should, or could, do in helping the committee find other stakeholders for the project?
4. Never Forget Park would be a great asset to Saratoga. Since the cost of construction has risen, like everything else, and fundraising alone is not getting this project completed, I believe it is time to investigate some options. The State of Wyoming has a few grants for recreational town purposes. One of these is through Wyo Grant LWCF (Land and Water Conservation Funds), that offer matching grants and 50% reimbursement grants for parks and recreation. Another avenue is look into for funds is a Public Partnership. Through Clubs, Groups or Businesses.
5. Saratoga’s tourism industry seems to continue to be growing, meanwhile local businesses which support that industry are struggling to recruit and retain staff. What do you believe the Town of Saratoga can do to aid these local businesses?
6. This question circles back to question one. Without housing available or without housing people can afford, we can not recruit people to come into Saratoga to work. With more housing, brings more people, and that means work positions being filled. Besides the housing, I think the jobs available should be posted in a central location, where people can go online or in person to find out the information they need about employment.
7. What would you hope to accomplish for Saratoga during your time on the council?
8. What I hope to accomplish for Saratoga during my time on Town Council if elected is simple. Help the People, Business, and Community get their voices heard. Make Saratoga the best it can be, while maintaining the infrastructure to support it. It’s not Saratoga, It’s a lifestyle.

Saratoga Town Council - Two Year Unexpired Term

Bub Barkhurst

P.O. Box 353

Saratoga, WY 82331

(307) 710-7000

[email protected]

1. Since 2021, Saratoga has seemed to face a housing crunch due to low inventory, a seeming lack of attainable housing and the rise in short-term rentals. What are you prepared to propose the Town of Saratoga do to address these issues?
2. To address the housing issue I feel the town needs to continue its efforts to rebuild its infrastructure. The current council has made great strides in replacing old water and sewer lines as well as repairing many of the streets and roadways. I feel that by continuing to do so it will make the town more appealing to developers as well as residents.
3. For nearly two decades, Never Forget Park has been fundraising towards construction. Now, construction costs have ballooned, seeming to prolong the already prolonged project. What do you think the Town of Saratoga should, or could, do in helping the committee find other stakeholders for the project?
4. Unfortunately Never Forget Park is facing the same out of control rising costs as many of us are. All that I can see for now is to continue moving forward in the capacity that can be afforded in the current budget. Hopefully the board can secure grants or other means to help fund the project and get it completed.

I feel that it is a great opportunity for the Town to honor the men and women who have fought and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the community.

1. Saratoga’s tourism industry seems to continue to be growing, meanwhile local businesses which support that industry are struggling to recruit and retain staff. What do you believe the Town of Saratoga can do to aid these local businesses?
2. When it comes to tourism Saratoga has the same challenge as many towns across our state. Inflation is wreaking havoc on every industry—from the cost of goods and services to the cost of wages to the costs of living.

On a municipal level I feel that the only thing that the Town can do is just offer support to the businesses when possible. As far as recruiting new employees a safe and up to date infrastructure may appeal to new residents.

As a business owner myself almost every prospective employee asks what there is to do up here outside of work. My typical answer is outdoors activities and the list of parks and recreation amenities offered by the community.

1. What would you hope to accomplish for Saratoga during your time on the council?
2. I would hope to continue the work already in progress. One of the biggest items for me is to make sure we are using our resources in the best possible war.

The current council as far as I can see has already completed several projects that were long overdue in my opinion. The council from my perspective has been very conservative on the spending as far as the projects that are being approved.