Town considers water rate hike

The Thermopolis Town Council approved a contract Tuesday to have Carr Coatings of Lovell do painting repairs to the Cedar Ridge tank at a cost of $98,925.

Town engineer Heath Overfield recommended the company following their in-state bid rate being lower than the competition.

“I’ve never worked with them, but based on their resume they can do it,” Overfield said.

Carl Leyba was appointed to the Travel and Tourism Board following a discussion about four applicants for the position.

The applicants were Angie Guyon, Rick Tudor, Carl Leyba and Bob Spain.

John Dorman Sr. voted for Rick Tudor; Tony Larson voted for Angie Guyon; Mike Mortimore voted for Carl Leyba.

The tiebreaker vote was left on the shoulders of Dusty Lewis, who thought Carl Leyba was the best candidate.

However, the council is expecting a possible Travel and Tourism resignation from Ross Rhodes, and Angie Guyon was selected for that position if Rhodes resigns.

The council also discussed possibly raising the base water rate next year due to being in the red this year.

“By law we have to be in the black,” Mortimore said.

The rate is currently at $13.20 a month before usage, and the council discussed possibly adding another $6.80 charge to bring the base rate up to an even $20. But council members decided to table further discussion to a later meeting.

Also, the council approved a parade route for the Fourth of July parade. The route will run from Senior Ave., west on Arapahoe Street, turn left at 5th Street, then head West on Broadway where the parade will turn around at the stop light and head back.

Additionally, Overfield said the emergency sewer project taking place on Second Street has been delayed due to rain. When the weather gets better, Wilson Brothers Construction should be finishing up the project.