Council donates salary

During their March 16 meeting, three members of the Saratoga Town Council and Mayor Creed James stated they would donate the 1st quarter of their governmental salaries to a local fundraising group.

The commitment came while Dan Jones, a Saratoga resident and president of Prairie Dog Fundraising, approached the governing body about a continued financial commitment from the Town of Saratoga. Prairie Dog Fundraising, a non-profit corporation, annually holds the Prairie Dog Open at the Whistle Pig Saloon, just south of Saratoga, with the money going towards athletics and activities at Saratoga Middle High School.

"This year we're going to have a cornhole tournament and all the money we raise, every penny, goes to the high school. We don't take out for paper, gas, nothing," said Jones. "All the money goes up there and we was (sic) wondering if the Town would like to help support it every year." 

Prairie Dog Fundraising is not the first non-profit to request funds from the council. At the beginning of the year, the governing body had received a letter from the Saratoga Historical and Cultural Association (Saratoga Museum) requesting a donation. Similarly, in the past, the Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department, also a non-profit corporation, had requested money from the Town during budget sessions. 

The current council had been advised by their new legal counsel, Jane France of Sundahl, Kapp, Powers and Martin, that such donations would have to be made through a service contract. Such a service contract was discussed by the governing body on March 16.

Jones informed the council that the fundraising from the Prairie Dog Open and the cornhole tournament were especially important this year as the Wyoming Legislature was looking at major budget cuts to school funding. Early in the session, Representative Cyrus Western (R - Big Horn) had introduced House Bill 129 which would have required that school districts provide their own funding for extracurricular activities. 

That bill, however, was not considered for introduction into the House of Representatives. As the 2021 session of the Wyoming Legislature continues to move forward, it was recently reported by WyoFile that the Wyoming Senate has proposed nearly $130 million in education cuts while the Wyoming House of Representatives has proposed just under $40 million. Relief, however, may come in the form of the recently passed $1.9 trillion federal relief bill passed by Congress.

"We're just trying to raise money to help," Jones said. "To get the buses going, food, and whatever else." 

In addition to raising money to help with travel and activities, Jones informed the governing body that Prairie Dog Fundraising was also considering purchase of a 12 foot by 18 foot American flag to be placed at the west end of the Saratoga Middle High School gym. The flag would be placed on a motorized system. The cost of this was estimated by Jones to be approximately $5,500.

Councilmember Ben Spaulding, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, was the first to offer his 1st quarter salary to the purchase of the flag and motorized system. Councilmember Jon Nelson and Councilmember D'Ron Cambpell followed suit, as did James. Councilmember Bob Keel was not in attendance.

Under Saratoga Municipal Code 02.04.080, town council member salaries are not to be less than $10 or more than $50. Current council members are paid $50 per meeting. Additionally, the salary of the mayor is set at $4,800 per meeting or $400 per month.

While the Town of Saratoga would need a service agreement to donate directly to Prairie Dog Fundraising, Nelson stated he believed such an agreement would not be needed if the council members were donating their own salary.

"I think if we're taking our stipend or whatever you want to call it and donating it, not through the town checking account, I don't think there's a need for a service agreement or anything like that," said Nelson.

James stated that they would still consult with France to ensure that the donation was made properly.

The next meeting of the Saratoga Town Council will be at 6 p.m. on April 6 at Saratoga Town Hall.