Tagged: Teton

Teton County is the most expensive county in the Wyoming to live in, compared to the statewide average. That’s according to the State Economic Analysis Division.

Amy Bittner is a senior economist with the Economic Analysis Division. The statewide average index number is 100, and Bittner says in Teton County, the index number for consumer goods reached 133 in the fourth quarter of last year.

“That essentially means that Teton counties cost of living is estimated 33% higher than the statewide average and the main driver of that are housing costs,” says Bittner. “Consumers spend a large portion of their budget on housing costs so it has a higher weight in a consumers budget, so that’s what’s driving a higher cost of living in Teton county.”

More than 400 people filled the Center for the Arts in Jackson on Tuesday to remember Teton County Search and Rescue volunteer Ray Shriver. The 63-year-old died after the helicopter he was riding in crashed on a rescue mission last week.

Search and Rescue Director Tim Ciocarlan described Shriver as a quiet hero, who was instrumental in organizing and training the county's volunteer rescue team.

"Ray joined SAR 19 years ago, he was one of the founding members of our team, and after being involved in over 800 rescues he still had passion for search and rescue," Ciocarlan said. "And our team would not be what it is today without Ray.

Teton County lawmakers are balking at a cost-of-living adjustment the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Education Committee has initially approved for school districts across the state.

The hedonic cost-of-living adjustment considers intangible benefits of living in an area, meaning teachers could be paid less if they live near cultural amenities or national parks. If the Legislature adopts the hedonic cost-of-living adjustment instead of the current cost-based model, teachers in Teton County School District One could be paid 11-percent higher than other teachers in the state, instead of 33-percent. Over all, the change could save the state six million dollars per year.