Dissolution delayed — Extension granted as officials seek clarity on hospital district dissolution
Weston County commissioners delayed moving forward with dissolution of the Weston County Hospital District (Weston County Health Services) after receiving confirmation that the district has been granted additional time to complete required audit work, while officials continue to seek legal clarity on the issue.
As previously reported, the board intended to start the dissolution process on April 7 after extensive discussion with the Wyoming Department of Audit.
Following the discussion on March 24, Commissioner Ed Wagoner said he reached out to Gov. Mark Gordon’s office to discuss the dissolution concerns.
“I didn’t like the road that we were headed down,” Wagoner said, noting that he contacted the governor’s office to seek clarification and additional time.
According to Wagoner, that request resulted in an extension of approximately 60 days, with a new compliance deadline expected near the end of June.
That extension was confirmed in an April 6 email from Richard Q. Cummings, administrator of the Wyoming Department of Audit Public Funds.
“I can confirm that we have granted the extension for the 2025 Weston County Health Services District CPA Audit,” Cummings said.
Cummings also clarified that any decision regarding dissolution rests solely with the county.
“Regarding dissolution, that is Weston County’s decision. The Department is not involved in that process,” he said.
Commissioners said they are still working to understand how the extension impacts the timeline for potential dissolution, particularly as questions remain about whether the state’s earlier directive to initiate dissolution is legally required.
In response, commissioners and hospital officials said they support seeking an opinion from the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office to provide additional legal clarity.
As previously reported, the Department of Audit had directed the county to initiate dissolution proceedings after the hospital district failed to meet statutory reporting deadlines, a position that has been challenged by the district’s attorney.
Meanwhile, hospital officials reported continued progress toward compliance.
Commissioners said the district has submitted its 2024 audit and is now primarily working to complete 2025 reporting requirements.
Hospital representatives expressed confidence that the remaining work can be completed within the extended timeline.
“I am quite confident that we will get it done,” Chairwoman Ann Slagle said.
Officials said the delays were largely caused by a combination of leadership turnover and a transition between financial software systems, which disrupted record-keeping and reporting processes.
“There was honestly not anybody left in the building,” Slagle said, describing the staffing challenges that contributed to missed deadlines.
Despite those challenges, both commissioners and hospital officials expressed cautious optimism that the situation is improving.
Commissioners indicated they will continue working with legal counsel and state officials to determine the appropriate next steps while awaiting further guidance, including a potential opinion from the attorney general.