Funding & Budgets

PAC Funding

PAC is primarily funded through a recreation mil levied by Sublette County School District #1. Historically, the rec mil provided approximately 85-88% of PAC’s annual revenue with the remaining 12-15% provided through membership/use fees and program registrations. Since 2018, the rec mil has provided approximately 60-65% of PAC’s total revenue. PAC continues to focus on revenue diversification through membership/use fees, grants, and community partnerships. Friends of PAC, a non-profit supporting organization, plays a vital role in diversifying our funding stream. 

In 2019, PAC received its first financial support from the Town of Pinedale through a contract for services in support of free youth memberships; this contract for service has since moved to focus on support of youth services. In 2020, PAC received its first financial support from the county through the Sublette County Recreation board with a grant to purchase a replacement gym divider curtain. Future partnerships with the Town of Pinedale and Sublette County are an important piece of revenue diversification and the overall efficient sustainability of recreation in the community.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant financial impact on PAC. In response to the global pandemic, PAC closed to the public on March 16, 2020. The facility was closed for 7 weeks before reopening on May 5 with modified operations and only 12 staff. Between April and June, 42 staff were furloughed, consisting of 75% of the total staff. The actual financial impact of COVID-19 is hard to estimate however PAC took significant decreases to revenue during the closure as well as a decline in daily visits, membership sales, and programs after re-opening. Based on annual financial comparisons, PAC estimated an approximately 35% loss of annual revenues ($110,000).  Due to our local government, joint powers board governed status, PAC was ineligible for nearly all COVID relief funds including business interruption and payroll protection. The only funding we were able to receive was approximately $21,000 from WY State Land Investment Board (SLIB) for cleaning supplies and from the CARES grant from Wyoming Kids First for disruptions to a licensed child care facility.

Contributions include funds received from Friends of PAC, Town of Pinedale, Sublette County, and any other grant or sponsorship secured directly by PAC.  In 2023-24 contributions were as follows: Friends of PAC $86,315 | Town of Pinedale $18,000 | Sublette County $22,407 | Grants/Sponsors $10,120

PAC Budget History Highlights

PAC celebrated its grand opening in February of 2008. It began operations with 13 full-time employees and a $2,538,534 budget. Changes to full-time employee positions based on needs and growth of PAC as well as other PAC budget highlights include the following:

FY 2008/2009 Budget: $2,793,575

• A Youth Program Manager was hired full-time in the Recreation Department to oversee the youth programs and summer sport camps (14 full-time staff)

FY 2010/2011 Budget: $3,011,546

• A catwalk system was installed on the roof to allow for more safe access to air handler units, all of which were located on the roof

• A full time Child Care Director was hired to oversee the Department of Family Services licensed on-site child care facility available to patrons (15 full-time staff)

FY 2011/2012 Budget: $3,445,235

• Full-time Administrative Assistant position was hired (16 full-time staff)

FY 2013/2014 Budget: $3,305,646

• Replacement of one FT custodial position with 2 part time positions (15 full-time staff)

FY 2014-2015 Budget: $3,174,485

• In May of 2015, PAC celebrated the grand opening of the new addition that included studio fitness rooms, weight room, office spaces and storage. The building of the new addition was funded by SCSD#1 through their rental fund.

FY 2015/2016: $3,275,636

• The PAC Joint Powers Board approved free admission for all Youth, effective January 2016.

FY 2016/2017: $2,633,258

• A 26% decrease in revenue from FY 2015-16 and a resulting 19% decrease in overall expenditures

• The Free Youth policy was modified to specify Sublette County Youth (including LaBarge residents) in March of 2017

• Non-resident admission rates, applicable for non-county residents, went into effect in March 2017

• Budget reductions included the following:

  • Elimination of five (5) full-time positions (Child Care Director, Recreation Manager (Youth Programs), Aquatic Manager, Administrative Assistant, Maintenance Assistant) (10 full-time positions)

  • Loss of family health and dental benefits for all full-time employees

  • At least a 5% salary reduction for all staff as well as a freezing or elimination of (depending on position) step schedules

  • Adjustment to public hours include closing at 8pm on weekdays (previously 9pm) and closed on Sundays. After the final decision, the board reconsidered and decided to re-open Sundays for part of the year (November-May) with a modified 12pm-5pm schedule (previously 12pm-6pm)

  • Temporary rent forgiveness from $600,000 to $400,000

• Completion of a long-planned LED ($298,664) update to the pool areas, lobby, and gym

FY 2017/2018 Budget: $2,107,085

• Based on recreation staff workload and growing demand from the community for youth programs, the Recreation Manager position eliminated in 2016/17 was reinstated (11 full-time employees)

FY 2018/2019 Budget: $1,778,380

• Revision of Joint Powers Agreement, transfer of reserve funds to SCSD#1 to PAC Asset Preservation Account

• Elimination of free senior times

• Closure of Sundays year-round

• Elimination of position (9 full-time). The fulltime Aquatic Supervisor position was vacated in 2019 and the position has not immediately replaced.

• Funding support from Town of Pinedale through a Contract for Service in support of free youth

FY 2019/2020 Budget: $1,756,576

• COVID-19, PAC closed to the public for 7 weeks before reopening with modified operations

FY 2020/2021 Budget: $1,680,794

• Funding received from Sublette County Rec Board for new gym divider curtain

• Ongoing COVID impact

• Increase in non-resident visit rates

FY 22021/2022 Budget: $1,788,935

• Increase to membership prices, the first since opening in 2008

• Elimination of free youth memberships (transfer of youth membership and program scholarships to Friends of PAC)

FY 22022/2023 Budget: $1,905,449

• Staff received a wage increase, returning wages to pre-2016 rates for the first time

FY2023/24 Budget: $1,996,383

PAC Reserves

During the ‘boom’ years of high tax revenue, PAC was able to build significant reserve funds. As outlined in the revised Joint Powers Agreement signed in 2018, all funds in the reserve account, a total of $7,667,250, were transferred back to Sublette County School District #1 and retained in an account earmarked for building preservation for the Pinedale Aquatic Center. A small $400,000 reserve remained to allow PAC time to work to secure the additional funding needed for sustained public operations. In 2021, an additional $500,000 in reserve funds was transferred back to PAC from the Asset Preservation Fund to help with cashflow challenges. At the start of fiscal year 2022-23, PAC had a reserve account of $764,025.42.