News Flash

Teton County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Action Report – February 17, 2026

A summary of actions taken at regular Teton County Board of Commission meetings

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The Teton County Board of Commissioners approved items 1,2,4,5,6,7,9,10,11,15,16,17,18, and 19 as their consent agenda as well as the following items that were discussed at the meeting. 

APPROVED 3. Consideration of Approval of Historic Preservation Board 2025 Annual Report

APPROVED  8. Consideration of Approval of Teton Pass Trail Construction Manager at Risk Notice of Award

APPROVED 12. Consideration of Approval of Justice Center Traffic Study 

APPROVED 13. Consideration of Approval of Justice Center GMP - DPR/GE Johnson

APPROVED 14. Consideration of Approval of a DPR Justice Center Credit Change Order 4 & 5

APPROVED 20. Consideration of Approval of Northern South Park Area 1 East-West Connector Road Easement

Matters from Planning and Development: 

Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order:

APPROVED

APPROVED

Permit: DEV2025-0004

Property Owner: TRC Development Corp. et al

Application: George Putnam, Cirque Consulting, LLC

Presenter: Chandler Windom

Request: A Development Plan pursuant to Section 8.3.2 of the Teton County Land Development Regulations for additions to the Condominium Units #3 & #4 of The Residence Club at Teton Pines Condominium. 

Location: 3466 Clubhouse Drive, Units #3 & #4 of the Residence Club at Teton Pines Condominium, are located within Teton Pines Commercial Area. These condos are adjacent to the Teton Pines Clubhouse and Golf Course. The zoning of the property is Planned Unit Development Neighborhood Conservation (PUD-NC) and within the Mid-Tier of the Natural Resource Overlay (NRO).

             Staff Report                      Application

APPROVED

Permit: MSC2025-0052

Property Owner: Snake River Associates, LLC

Application: Susan Johnson, SJ Planning Solutions

Presenter: Chandler Windom

Request: A Miscellaneous Planning Request, pursuant to Section 8.2.15. of the Teton County Land Development Regulations for review of the annual monitoring report for the Giltner Outdoor Event Site (CUP2015-0001).

Location: The Giltner Outdoor Event Site is located on the Snake River Ranch parcel PIDN 22-41-17-01-1- 00-002. The property is on the west side of Moose-Wilson Road (Highway 390) approximately 2.5 miles south of Teton Village. The parcel is zoned Rural-1, partially in the Scenic Resources Overlay, and in both Mid & High-tiers of the Natural Resources Overlay.

            Staff Report                       Application

Workshop

Known Matters for Discussion/Updates

CONTINUED

Matters from Commissioners 

ADJOURN 

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Warm daytime and nighttime temperatures have forced Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation to close its ice rinks due to safety concerns. Based on the current forecast, staff do not expect rinks to reopen in the near future.

Under typical winter conditions, outdoor rinks remain usable through early March. Staff will continue to monitor temperatures and will attempt to restore the rinks if conditions improve. If significantly colder weather does not arrive in the next couple of weeks, the ice rinks may remain closed for the rest of the season. 

Teton County Board of Commissioners Meeting

Action Report – February 3, 2026

A summary of actions taken at regular Teton County Board of Commission meetings

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The Teton County Board of Commissioners approved items 2,3,4,6,7,911,12,13,14 and 15 as their consent agenda as well as the following items that were discussed at the meeting. 

APPROVED 1. Consideration of Approval of 6-month Budget Amendment

APPROVED  5. Consideration of Approval of Munger Mountain MOU

CONTINUED 8. Consideration of Approval of Contract with Plan One/Architects Coroner Office Design  

Matters from Planning and Development: 

PERMIT DENIED

Permit: AMD2025-0001

Property Owner: MT-WY Capital, LLC

Application: Alex Norton, OPS Strategies

Presenter: Erin Monroe

Request: A text amendment to the Teton County Land Development Regulations to allow Light and Heavy Industry contractor businesses as Conditional Uses on Workforce Home Business (WHB) zoned sites that are within 500 feet of S. Highway 89.

Location: Applies within portions of the Workforce Home Business Zone (Hog Island Area)

Application           Staff Report                     

 APPROVED

(SEE APPROVED MOTION BELOW)

Permit: MSC2025-0032

Property Owner: Teton Village Association

Presenter: Chandler Windom

Request: A Miscellaneous Planning Request, per Section 8.2.15 of the Land Development Regulations, for review and amendment of the Teton Village Area 1 Transportation Demand Management Plan, per Section VI.D.2.b. of the Teton Village Resort Master Plan for Area 1.

Location: Teton Village Area 1

          Application           Staff Report

MOTION: I move to APPROVE the following changes to programs/strategies of the Transportation Demand Management Program required by Section VI. Transportation, of the Teton Village Area 1 Resort Master Plan. 

ADJOURN 

At 4:36 p.m. on Monday, February 2, Jackson Hole Fire/EMS and the Teton County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to The Sylvan Lodge at the Snake River Sporting Club near Hoback. Sheriff’s Deputies arrived first, confirmed the fire, and began evacuating hotel guests and staff. 

According to Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Battalion Chief Brian Carr, who served as the Sylvan Fire Incident Commander, firefighters initially observed heavy smoke coming from the roof and visible flames near the chimney. Fire crews immediately began suppression efforts, applying water to the roof from Fire Engine 31 out of Hoback Fire Station 3. Firefighters quickly accessed the roof and used the building’s standpipe system to gain control of the fire and prevent further spread. A standpipe system is commonly found inside structures and supplies firefighters with pressurized water and hoses.

All guests and staff were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported among the public or responders. Access into the Snake River Sporting Club and lodging areas were affected, but no public roads were closed.

Thirty Jackson Hole Fire/EMS personnel responded to the incident, including two Chief Officers, one medical director, and 27 firefighters. An additional six firefighters and two Chief Officers remained on standby at other stations. Resources deployed to the fire included three engines, one aerial ladder truck, one ambulance, and one unmanned aircraft (drone). Teton County Dispatch supported the response by providing information management and coordination throughout the incident.

The Teton County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was partially activated, utilizing four support functions of the Town and County’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to assess resources, coordinate information, arrange meals, and lodging access. Teton County Emergency Manager Rich Ochs would like to thank The Good Samaritan Mission for providing firefighters with 70 burritos, drinks, coffee, snacks, and more on less than an hour’s notice; and the Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce for confirming that alternative lodging opportunities were available - if needed.  

“This incident highlights Teton County’s coordinated emergency response,” said Battalion Chief Carr. “From early confirmation and evacuation support by the Sheriff’s Office to strong dispatch coordination and early fire control, the response was collaborative and effective. The operational standpipe and fire department connection were integral to early suppression.”

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Jackson Hole Fire/EMS Investigation Team. Damage occurred in the roof and surrounding areas due to fire spread.

Jackson Hole Fire/EMS reminds the public to maintain a practiced fire escape plan, know at least two exits, and identify a meeting place outside the area of the fire.

Teton County will launch a nationwide search for its next Board of County Commissioners’ Administrator following the announcement that current administrator Jodie Pond will retire later this year.

Pond will continue in her role until a new administrator is selected and will work alongside her successor to provide training, support and a smooth transition.

“Jodie has been an invaluable leader for Teton County,” said Mark Newcomb, Chair of the Teton County Board of County Commissioners. “Her leadership as the Director of Health during COVID-19 was instrumental in keeping the community as healthy as possible. As County Administrator she brought us through a period of transition, strengthened County operations and improved internal culture. We are grateful for her service and for her willingness to stay on during the transition.”

Pond’s 13-year tenure with Teton County has been defined by steady leadership, a collaborative, team-oriented approach, and a strong commitment to public service. She served as Teton County’s Director of Health from 2013 to 2024 before being appointed to Interim County Commissioners’ Administrator in March 2024.  She was hired as the County Commissioners’ Administrator in December 2024. 

Pond said her decision to retire comes after thoughtful consideration and with confidence in the county’s future.

“It has been an honor to work for Teton County,” Pond said. “I am committed to supporting the Board and staff throughout the transition and ensuring the next administrator is set up for success from day one.”

Teton County Human Resources Director Justin Kaiser and Pond will begin outlining a comprehensive process for selecting a new administrator and will keep the Commissioners informed as the recruitment process moves forward.

Teton County has selected Patrick McGaugh as its new General Services Director, overseeing the county’s internal service functions including Facilities, Information Technology, the Fair and Fairgrounds, and the Justice Center project. Mr. McGaugh’s first day is today.

Mr. McGaugh offers more than 20 years of public-sector leadership experience in operations, facilities management, procurement, and complex project delivery. He joins Teton County from Grand Teton National Park, where he most recently served as the park’s Commercial Services Lead. 

In that role, Patrick managed one of the largest commercial services programs in the National Park Service, overseeing 26 concession contracts and 175 commercial use authorizations. He directed program staffing and capital planning for more than 600 park-owned, commercially operated assets. Additionally, he implemented the park’s COVID‑19 response for commercial partners operating within the park.

Mr. McGaugh previously worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District, where he managed more than $100 million in construction projects across Germany, Italy, Turkey, Romania, and Poland in support of high priority Department of Defense initiatives.

Mr. McGaugh holds an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and a certified Project Management Professional.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Teton County and contribute to the community I call home,” McGaugh said. “I’m looking forward to supporting the talented employees in General Services so they can continue delivering high‑quality support to the County.”

Teton County Assessor Melissa Shinkle is reminding homeowners that the deadline to apply for the 2026 Homeowner Exemption is quickly approaching.

Homeowners who live full time in a Wyoming residence, including a house, condo, townhouse, manufactured home, or mobile home, may qualify for a 25% exemption on the first $1 million of their property’s fair market value.

Applications must be submitted online by March 1, 2026, at https://ptd.wyo.gov/OWNEROCC/pages/home.  Those without computer access or who need assistance may visit the Teton County Assessor’s Office in the County Administration Building at 200 South Willow Street in Jackson.