The Laramie City Council has voted to restore the environmental health inspector position. Last year, the council voted to eliminate local funding for that role.
Laramie City Manager Janine Jordan says the plan was to ask the state to fund the position. But councilor Vicki Henry convinced the council to make the inspector position halftime. Prior to the vote, Laramie Mayor Andi Summerville said that a loss of revenue has forced the city to consider dropping programs not required by law. But she noted that many in the community were concerned about the cut.
“Certainly not a popular option with the community I think. There’s a lot of people who see the value of having a health inspector, me included. But when it comes down to dollars and cents I have to have the dollars to be able to pay them.”
The council agreed to fund the half-time position for one year and plans to raise fees to help offset costs. Those fees have yet to be determined. The Laramie City Council is scheduled to have a final vote on the budget June 13.