Council makes budget adjustments

Tuesday evening, Thermopolis Town Council approved the 2018-19 fiscal year budget upon second reading with a few adjustments made, mainly to the Reserve Fund of $137,700.

Mayor Mike Mortimore said there were some issues with the parks. While money has been set aside for playground equipment, there are also problems with trees, restrooms and fencing. Council approved moving $20,000 from the reserve and put it into the parks fund.

Another move from the reserve was for an additional $3,500 put toward the fireworks show, bringing the total town contribution to $5,000. John Fish noted the current funds for the show is only about $6,000, compared to usual $15,000. Fish said the fire department is also hitting Worland for donations, noting after the show there is a stream of vehicles heading north that goes on for 45 minutes.

Mortimore pointed out the fireworks show is a big event for the summer that brings a lot of people here and the fire department has also, in recent years, provided service in the area near the skate park where people can set off their personal fireworks prior to the main event.

Another change to the budget was the purchase of a three-quarter ton truck rather than a requested full ton truck, which would reduce the cost by about $5,000. Director of Public Works Ernie Slagle requested that money, as well as an additional $1,000, be moved to the budget for line maintenance.

The budget also shows a reduced amount for chip sealing, and Town Engineer Anthony Barnett plans to get caught up with crack sealing this next year so the chip sealing is more effective. It was noted there are several streets that need completely torn up and replaced, but doing so would be a multi-million dollar project and the budget is already looking at a shortfall of over $1 million.

Mortimore noted when 80-90 percent of the budget goes toward things like salaries, insurance and other benefits it doesn’t provide much wiggle room. The budget will go through a third reading before final approval.

Barnett said the work in the state park continues to drag on, as it was expected to do, but there’s been some further delays going through the buffalo terraces off Buffalo Street but since the weather’s been good it’s hoped that portion will be finished soon. Wilson Brothers has also ordered the pipe for the Canyon Hills bore repair, and that will be done as soon as possible.

Slagle said he was ordered to do some patching in Waldorf Acres on Circle Drive, but instead a large hole was dug because of a massive water leak. Plans were to cut out a 20-foot section of pipe Wednesday and replace it. Ernie noted the pipe was cast iron with lead joints.

In other action, council approved three catering permits for Shorty’s, for the Sounds of Summer concerts on June 10, June 19 and July 4. Council also approved a second pay estimate for the pipeline replacement project.

A lot split application was approved for a three-apartment complex, as the owner wants to take out the center area and make it two separate properties. All of the parameters were met as far a square footage for each lot, Mayor’s Assistant Fred Crosby noted, though at the meeting there were some concerns as to whether the newly-formed properties would retain a shared sewer line and previous work on service lines. The lot split was approved, provided the separation complies with plans provided to council and lines are brought up to code.

Council approved re-appointing Carl Leyba to a three-year position the Travel and Tourism Board. Leyba noted he has been on and off the board since 1982. Jen Fisher also applied for the position, and Mayor Mortimore noted he would like to see her on the board as well.

Though the Hot Springs County Commission intended to appoint Phillip Scheel to fill a position on the board that was open due to Rick Tudor’s term expiring, Travel and Tourism Director Amanda Moeller pointed out the open positions were for those who are involved in the travel and tourism industries rather than general “at large” spots. Moeller further added Scheel would have to show he’s involved in the travel and tourism industries by the board’s bylaws and organizational documents. She plans to discuss the matter further with the commission, and there is the possibility the spot could still be open.

Board members Tony Larson and Dusty Lewis voted “no” on a 3-2 decision to allow a company to contact citizens and inform them their service lines from their homes to the main are their responsibility. The company provides contracts in which they will pay up to $8,500 if such lines need to be replaced. Though a possible franchise agreement with the company was previously discussed, it was not pursued further.