Kristy Fields

It was a year ago that Kristy Fields was appointed to the Powell City Council, and she’s now asking voters to allow her to continue serving for the next two years.

During her time on the council, Fields has learned a lot and built relationships, “and I would like to continue building on that progress,” she said, “so that we can make thoughtful decisions that are going to strengthen our community now and for future generations.”

The past year featured several hot topics — like exotic pets, dog limits and e-bikes — that drew the most public feedback the council had seen in years. Fields said she enjoyed being part of the process, including listening to people on both sides of each issue, then taking those opinions and the facts to try making the best decision.

“It was challenging for sure,” she said, “but I like a good challenge.”

Background

Fields has deep roots in Powell, as she’s the fifth generation of her family to live in the area. She works at First Bank of Wyoming, where she’s been both a personal banker and a consumer lender. Fields has also been involved with FIRST Friends, a group of bank employees who raise funds to help children in the community.

She previously volunteered at the Powell Valley Care Center and has served on the parish council and taught faith formation at St. Barbara’s Catholic Church.

“Throughout my career and volunteer work, I have developed skills in problem solving, budgeting, collaboration, and leadership that are directly applicable to serving our community in this capacity,” she said. “Just as important, I’ve built relationships with residents, local businesses, and community organizations that I feel help me understand the challenges and opportunities that face Powell.”

Supporting the senior center

Fields said she spends a lot of time researching the items that are coming before the council.

“I don't specifically have an agenda coming into this,” she said. “I look at each item being presented and try to make the best decision for the majority of people in our community.”

She said her priority is to listen to residents and make decisions in their best interests.

Since joining the council, Fields has served as the city’s representative on the board of the Yellowstone Country Assistance Network (YCAN), which provides assistance to low-income families in the region. She is also the council’s liaison to the Powell Planning and Zoning Commission and said she’s excited about the upcoming opportunity to help revise the city’s master plan.

Fields is hoping Park County voters will pass an additional, temporary 1% sales tax in November to build a new Powell Senior Center on city-owned land along South Fair Street. The proposed $19.3 million tax package would also upgrade the Cody Auditorium and fund several upgrades in Meeteetse.

The Powell center offers a lot of services, “and the building they have now is not meeting their needs,” Fields said, noting recent estimates that more than 27% of the county’s population is 65 or older.

In the future, she’d also like to see a rec center built in the city.

“I think that’s equally as important,” Fields said.

A crowded field of candidates

There are a perhaps unprecedented number of candidates running for the city council this year, and Fields said she thinks it’s “awesome” that so many people want to serve their community.

She noted that the past year has featured multiple topics that people are passionate about. Fields said she’s “really just tried to listen” to the residents who have spoken at meetings and reached out and then tried to consider how each issue will affect people now and in the future. 

“Hopefully people don’t come in with their own personal agendas,” Fields added, “because that’s … not going to make good decisions for the community if we do that.”

Overall, she believes the council has been making solid choices.

“Not everybody’s going to agree with every decision,” she said, “but I think the people that are on there do a good job of [doing] their due diligence and trying to make the best decisions.”

Fields is facing fellow Ward 2 resident John Sinskie in this year’s election. They both applied to replace the late Councilman Floyd Young last year, and the council picked Fields in August 2025.

Voters in the ward — which includes everything west of Division Street — will make their own decision this year by choosing who finishes Young’s term. However, the primary election will serve as little more than a poll, as both candidates are set to advance to the general election ballot in November.