Training reboot: Boards will need to complete fiscal training to receive city funds

At its July 1 meeting, the Newcastle City Council voted to require the members of any board that receives city funds to undergo an eight-hour fiscal training. This was inspired by state legislation passed in 2022 that requires elected officials to participate in the same training.

According to City Clerk Stacy Haggerty, to receive funding from the city, local boards will need to have the training completed by Sept. 1. Letters stating this requirement will be sent soon.

Haggerty clarified that the requirement does apply to boards that were granted funds in the city’s recently passed budget for fiscal year 2025, which began July 1. Board members will need to complete the training before the city will release the allotted funds.

Earlier this spring, council members attended a local one-day training to meet the state requirement. Members of various boards also attended.

The training was led by Mary Martin, a community vitality and health educator from the University of Wyoming.

“I thought it was very informative, especially for people who are new to serving on a board,” council member Ann McColley said. The training involved more than just the management of public funds, she said, and covered such topics as “how to conduct a proper meeting, dos and don’ts, (and) when you can or cannot go into executive session,” among others.

Mayor Pam Gualtieri also spoke highly of the training.

“I think (undergoing the training) is in the best interest of any individual who is on a board. It helps them understand their responsibilities,” she said. “There were things I learned, and I’ve been on a council for six years.”

“If a board is asking for money, it would be okay to require (the training),” council member Tyrel Owens said. Owens also expressed a concern that many local boards are very under trained. Like McColley and Gualtieri, he found the spring training session beneficial.

During the council’s discussion on extending the required training to boards that receive city funds, some voiced hesitation. Council Member Tom Voss was initially against the idea, disagreeing with mandating beyond state requirements. Police Chief Derek Thompson also cautioned against the idea for fear that it might dissuade volunteers from serving.

However, after discussion, Voss decided to join with the rest of the council. He made the motion for the new requirement, and a unanimous vote in favor of the motion followed.

Voss was unable to attend the spring training and instead opted for an online version.

“I was really pleased with it,” he said. “I don’t know if I needed it to be a good city councilman, but I am still pleased with (the material) that we went through,” he added.

The online training is available free of charge.