Town approves budget

At the June 18 Thermopolis Town Council meeting, Mayor Adam Estenson held a public hearing for the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget and the Third Reading of Fiscal Year, Ordinance 876. There were no public comments given and the council unanimously voted and passed the approval of them.

Assistant to the Mayor Jim Jeunehomme presented a fence permit in the 700 block of Richards Street. The resident wants to put up a four foot see through fence to prevent animals entering their property. The council voted and passed the approval of the request.

Jeunehomme presented the Joint Law Enforcement Agreement to the council, which was drafted by Hot Springs County Attorney Jill Logan. Town Attorney Marshall Keller said that he had no issues with the document. Council member Rachel Hughes questioned one line item about K-9 software since the K-9 unit was under the Hot Springs County Sheriff’s Office and asked for it to be taken out. The council voted and passed the approval of the Joint Law Enforcement Agreement with the removal of the K-9 line item.

Also, the council voted and passed the approval to have a special meeting on June 27 for the end of the fiscal year to pay the bills. There will be no action items at this meeting.

Jeunehomme presented a request for an emergency purchase for a track loader for the landfill because there are only two track loaders with only one in operation. If that working track loader fails even for one day, the town’s landfill falls out of compliance with the DEQ and the EPA and they could fine the town. 

Jeunehomme said there are some options for purchasing the used equipment in Texas and would cost about $330,000 to $390,000. The equipment also comes with a 24 month warranty or 2,000 hours, whichever comes first. By the town having an emergency purchase, they do not have to spend time requesting bids. The council voted and passed the approval of the emergency purchase.

The Glade Edwards Foundation donated $10,250 for the Glade Edwards Park, 226 S. 3rd St. This is on top of a 2023 donation for $9,750, which now totals $20,000. The donated funds will be spent on new playground equipment.