Town approves budget

Town Council approved the 2015-2016 budget at Wednesday evening’s meeting with the addition of a $25,000 amendment for maintenance and upkeep for Town Hall. The primary concern for Town Hall maintenance was carpeting in the building that is original from the building’s construction in the late 1980’s.

Mayor Mike Mortimore opened the floor to discussion regarding the amendment, but with no comments from the public the motion passed and the budget with the new amendment passed.

The final budget approved was for 11 million

The 2015-2016 Town of Thermopolis budget will be available to view online later this week on the Independent Record website at http://www.thermopir.com.

Multiple liquor permits for upcoming summer activities were approved including Mac’s Bar during the July 10-11 Ranch Rodeo, Shorty’s during the June 25-27 PRCA Rodeo, Armory Fly-In on the Fourth of July, Brown Wedding on Sept. 5 at the fairgrounds, and Thermopolis Liquors parking lot dance on June 20.

One Eyed Buffalo owner Damien Oliver requested a permit to renovate a portion of the covered parking area in the rear of the building into an enclosed beer garden.

Oliver assured the council this would not obstruct passageway through the alley. He said there would still be plenty of parking for tenants in the building's upstairs apartment. The permit was approved.

Also discussed during the council meeting was the progress of hiring the joint town and county appointment for the Big Horn Basin Nature and Discovery Center.

The position was advertised and one individual, Peter Coggi, applied. The motion to appoint Coggi for the position was approved.

Mayor’s assistant Fred Crosby received word from the state regarding SLIB funding for the Richard’s Street Project.

The application was denied and it was speculated that recent emergency funding for the city sewer project may have been a reason for denial; however the application will be reapplied.

Council updated town maintenance director Ernie Slagle that they were working on new specs for the vac truck and would go through a new bid process for a less expensive truck. Funds for the vac truck will still be available in the new budget.