SWEETWATER COUNTY – Sweetwater County and the cities of Rock Springs and Green River received a little bit of good news on the shared revenue agreement with SkyWest. On Tuesday, the Sweetwater County Commissioners unanimously approved a decrease in the air service revenue guarantee.

This year’s agreement has a decrease of approximately $125,000. The revenue guarantee contract is between the State of Wyoming, SkyWest and Sweetwater County. From there, the county enters into a memorandum of understanding with Rock Springs and Green River to divide the remaining costs of the agreement the state does not pick up.

Airport Manager Devon Brubaker reported while the state’s funding will remain the same, the decrease in costs will be passed down to the county and the cities. Commissioner John Kolb wanted to stress the state of Wyoming is negotiating the contract with SkyWest and not the county.

Brubaker explained even if the costs of fuel skyrockets this year, SkyWest cannot come back and change the terms of contract once it is approved. The state has to have the contract finalized by July 1 or Sweetwater County and the two cities would be responsible for the entire cost of the revenue agreement with SkyWest.

While the MOU with the county and the cities is separate from the agreement approved on Tuesday, Brubaker gave a brief update on his discussions with the cities. He said they will be discussing the agreement at the Green River City Council Meeting Tuesday night. Brubaker added he has also talked to the city of Rock Springs and informed the commission he has  verbal support from Rock Springs Mayor Carl Demshar about moving forward with the new contract and this year’s MOU.