Gordon requests $87M for Vets’ Home remodel | News

Gov. Mark Gordon has once again included a major renovation for the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming in his budget recommendation.

In his recommendation, Gordon included $87 million for the renovation and update to the facility in Buffalo.

The project is intended to “update and modernize” the facility’s aging domiciliary care unit, which serves residents in the capacity of an assisted living community.

Eventually, this project is expected to be partially funded by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs construction grant monies, though the project sat at 69th of 73 eligible projects and is more expensive than most, the Wyoming Department of Health wrote in an October 2023 memo to the Joint Appropriations Committee. 

The Department of Health anticipates it won’t be next in line for another two to eight years.

The department’s memo lists concerns with the facility based on a 2013 assessment, during which the building received a “fair” rating. The latest additions to the building were constructed in 1973 and 1983. 

The department’s main concerns are with the facility’s shared bathrooms among residents and with the wings constructed in 1941 and 1973, which are not Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

Sen. Barry Crago, R-Buffalo, said the project has been identified as one of the top needs in the state’s capital construction project list.

“And yet, we continue to fail to fund that project at the state level,” Crago said. “The veterans deserve better and we need to do better.”

In a written statement, Gordon said that the Veterans’ Home project was one of two capital construction projects in his recommended budget.

“One of the two new construction proposals I recommended was for the much-needed renovation of the Veterans’ Home of Wyoming assisted living facility,” the statement said. “Those who have visited the facility recently know this is long overdue. Unfortunately, an appropriation for this project was attempted during the last general session but failed to make it to my desk.”

Rep. Marilyn Connolly, R-Buffalo, said that each year that passes, the project gets more expensive, and she believes that when the project reaches the top of the fed’s project list the state will be reimbursed.

“I think they just need to quit stalling on it and allocate the funds,” Connolly said. “I’ve seen the domicile; it needs it really badly. I don’t think we’re doing justice to the veterans living in that domicile area by not getting this done.”

The State Building Commission pitched the project to the Joint Appropriations Committee Dec. 5. The committee took no action, but will begin to mark up the governor’s budget proposal in January.

In the committee meeting earlier this month, Sen. Mike Gierau, D-Jackson, questioned whether the state was moving forward alone due to federal delays.

SDC Director Delbert McOmie said the decision was driven by inflation. He said he anticipates federal reimbursement, but he is unsure when that will be.

“The longer we delay, the higher the inflation,” McOmie said, noting that inflationary costs had already shifted the cost share from 65% federal and 35% state to 47% federal and 53% state.

Sen. Tim French, R-Powell, questioned the cost effectiveness of the current plan.

“I strongly support our veterans,” French said. “Having said that, $87 million for this remodel … sometimes you’re better off tearing that building down and rebuilding it with our modern facilities.”

Gordon included the $69 million for the project in his 2024 budget proposal and then-Rep. Crago ensured funding for the project was included in the House’s budget. However, the project was eliminated from the budget when the House and Senate met in conference committee.

Last year, Gordon included the project in his supplemental budget request and both Connolly and Crago brought mirror bills in their respective bodies. 

However, when the Senate declined to approve a supplemental budget in 2025, the project died along with the other budget requests.

“As I have consistently said in my budget message, now is the time for the legislature to authentically consider what is essential for the health and safety of the people of Wyoming. I emphasize this point particularly for the men and women who served our state and nation by defending the freedoms we hold dear and protecting the safety of our loved ones,” Gordon said in a statement.

Connolly said she has toured the Veterans’ Home with both Rep. John Bear, R-Gillette, and Rep. Ken Pendergraft, R-Sheridan, both of whom are on the Joint Appropriations Committee.

“They are both veterans and they are both aware of the situation up there,” Connolly said. “So I’m hoping for a positive response from the Appropriations Committee. I’ll be paying really close attention to it. I’m hopeful that the committee will see the problem and that the cost is going up, and it has to get done.”