May 16, 2024
Meeting Summary
Presiding: Randi Downham
Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan & Team
Inspiration:
Professor’s Quote: Ollie Walter
Foundation Flash:
Introduction of Guests: Amanda Givan
Guests: Michelle Tilley introduced prospective member, Troy Stentz; Tim Eisenhauer introduced his brother, Jim.
Visiting Rotarians:
Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA/Exchange Students: Mari, Ashlin, Sienna
Rotaract/Interact Students:
Humor: Terry Roark
Foundation Drawing: Keith Downey won $10 with nearly $1,500 in the jackpot.
O’Dwyers Drawing: Doug Faus
Announcements:
- Don’t forget to volunteer to work the greeting table!
- Tom Mangan reminded the club of the MS Walk on June 1 in Cheyenne. There is still time to donate.
- Mari asked the club to consider supporting the relief efforts in Brazil for major flooding. There is a Rotary International relief effort happening.
- Caitlin White told the club to be on the lookout for a host family starting in August for our next exchange student coming from Iceland.
- Board Updates: Membership is at 83, our goal is 84; service project participation is at 19, our goal is 25; new member sponsors is at 5, our goal is 3; District Conference attendance is at 3, our goal is 2; service projects are at 8, our goal is 6; the annual fund contribution is at $5,880, the goal is $4,500.
- Don’t forget the next Rotary social event is May 30.
Special Presentation: The Junior Rotarians received their certificates; Randi Downham and Ron Van Ekeren donated to the club foundation for their birthdays.
Rotarian of the Week: John Bard nominated Rollin Abernethy and Jerry Devin for covering for him.
Rotarian of the Month: Tim Eisenhauer
Songs: This Land is Your Land
Program: Albany County Commissioner, Pete Gosar
Introduction: Murray Schroeder
Commissioner Gosar noted that it was an interesting legislative session in reference to the property tax bills. Several relief bills passed. Gosar noted that when the relief is too high in Albany County, that means a burden on being able to provide services, whereas in mineral-rich counties, this is less of an issue. However, because the bills are statewide, there isn’t any solutions provided for poorer counties.
Before the relief bills were passed, Albany County had already opted to voluntarily be part of a relief program to help residents.
The general fund is 35 percent of the budget. Some bills that didn’t pass would have meant positions and services being cut.
County services cost $382 per taxpayer. Our revenue is mostly property tax, other taxes, and motor vehicle registration.
The County has $16 million in operation costs, and it tries to also save some money each year.
The County is working to better collaborate with the city, state, and fire districts. We have amazing emergency response services in Albany County.
The County is working on financial sustainability, has monthly department head meetings, and is working to better communicate with the public. One upcoming change is a sign outside the courthouse with important information.
Wind farm revenue is expected to be less than 5 percent. The project has been sited, but not developed. Hopefully it will grow into a bigger piece of revenue. There will be an impact on Rock River.
Housing in general is a huge issue in our community, and the County is looking at a long range growth plan with the city to better address this problem.
Response: Tim Sullivan
‘Response: The Rotary Club of Laramie will make a donation to the public library children’s book fund in the speaker’s name.
NOTE: We Do Not Donate a Book!
Upcoming Dates:
- Taste of Laradise: June 8 from 10am – 6pm in Downtown Laramie
Birthdays in May: Jamie Terry, John Evans, John Bard, Tim Stamp, Becky Maddox, Ron Van Ekeren, Randi Downham, Todd Pearson, Dustin Richards, Ollie Walter, Ken Patel, and Mari
Rotary Anniversaries in May: Natalie White (1 year), Neil Theobald (1 year), Tony Hoch (15 years), Terry Roark (25 years), Paul Greaser (38 years), Kerry Greaser (38 years).
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Website: laramierotaryclub.org
Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org