Budget, citizen requests approved

WORLAND — The Worland City Council approved three citizen requests, two ordinances on third reading, two resolutions including one for the new fiscal budget and two loan applications in a meeting that lasted about 30 minutes.

The meeting, held at the Worland Community Center Complex to provide social distancing to follow state COVID-19 guidelines, began with three citizen requests that were approved unanimously:

•Washakie County Library Foundation Board member Laura McDonald said George and Carol Sheaff have generously agreed to donate another Little Free Library for another city park. She said they would like to put the newest library at Kiwanis Park to join the ones at Pioneer Square and Hillcrest Park. She said the libraries have been well used, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

•Washakie Development Association Executive Director LeAnn Baker asked permission for a drive-in movie at Newell Sargent Park on Field 5. The movie, “Frozen II,” will begin at 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. She said the movie is free. Those attending will need to remain in their vehicles. Vehicles will be spaced to follow guidelines from Washakie County Public Health and the Wyoming Department of Health and to allow vehicles to leave at any time.

•Tom Schmeltzer of Crosspoint Baptist requested a road closure of 11th Street from Big Horn to Robertson for a carnival during Vacation Bible School. Bible school will be July 13-16 and the carnival will be on that Thursday, July 16, from 6-8:30 p.m.

The council approved two ordinances on third and final reading.

Ordinance 854 increases the court automation fee at the request of the Wyoming Supreme Court. The fee is increased to $50 with $40 going to the state.

•Ordinance 855 amends the city’s code regarding unattached trailers parked on city streets.

Current city code only allows residents to park unattached trailers on city streets for up to seven days.

Ordinance 855 would allow businesses to be exempt from the trailer parking code for unattached trailers directly associated with and used for business purposes. Businesses would be required to obtain a $50 annual permit and attach it to a trailer to be seen from the street or alley.

The ordinance will be effective July 1.

The council gave final approval to the 2020-2021 budget.

The general fund budget as proposed is $5.1 million; capital project fund (streets and airport) is at $912,957; the expendable trust fund which is the business and sidewalk loan fund is at $80,000; the agency fund, which is Pioneer Square and the Tree Board, is at $31,000; the water fund is budgeted at $2.1 million; sewer fund is at $1.6 million and sanitation fund is at $1.1 million.

The budget has a freeze on overtime and does not include the usual merit raises.

The council also amended the current budget with grant pass-through funds for the Crisis Prevention and Resource Center for $22,995.

The council approved two sidewalk loans, one for Robert Taylor at 804 Obie Sue and one for Ranchito’s at 544 Big Horn.

During reports, Police Chief Gabe Elliott said the push button crosswalk had to be removed while the city replaces a fire hydrant at 15th and Howell.