Merger possible? 1 director will lead 2 Wyoming agencies

The governor of Wyoming is putting one man in charge of two state agencies to save money while the state struggles with declining revenue.

The change announced Monday could eventually lead to a merger between the Health Department and Department of Family Services.

Health Department Director Tom Forslund says Gov. Matt Mead has asked him for recommendations to improve efficiency through closer coordination between the agencies. Forslund says his recommendations could include merging agencies.

Family Services Director Steve Corsi is resigning to take a job in another state effective June 1. Mead has named Forslund to direct both the Health Department and the Department of Family Services for the rest of Mead’s term, which ends in 2019.

Mead already has made steep cuts to address falling revenue from fossil-fuel extraction.