Jo Co Commission Declines to Vote on Wyoming Downs Request

Johnson County’s Commissioners have opted not to vote on a request from Wyoming Downs, LLC to allow a paramutual horse race betting facility in Buffalo, essentially saying “no,” but leaving the door open for a future application.

The decision was tabed at the last commission meeting on April 5 to allow local law enforcement to give their opinions in the matter.

Buffalo Police Chief Sean Bissett and County Sheriff Rod Odenbach were both opposed to the idea, saying that based on the amount of tax revenue generated, as reported by Jill Jarrard with Wyoming Downs, they did not think the amount would cover added expenses of additional patrols to cover the new gambling facility.

Jarrard and the commissioners further discussed tax revenues, expenses for additional law enforcement patrols, and crime statistics from other facilities around the state, which were all concerns.

Jarrard said she could get the information compiled and present it to the commission.

The commissioners opted not to vote on the matter, but recommended Jarrard continue discussions with them to possibly re-apply in the future.