Auditor says city budget healthy

During the annual audit report, James Seckman reported that the City of Worland had a good fiscal year that ended June 30.

“You had a very good year. You have very healthy financial picture,” he said at Tuesday’s regular meeting of the city council.

Clerk Tracy Glanz noted that the health of the general fund and enterprise funds of water, wastewater and sanitation were due to rate increases that went into effect in April 2023.

Seckman said the budget improvement that was seen during the 2024 fiscal year over the 2023 fiscal year will “accelerate when they look at the budget after a full year with the new rates.

“Next year should be brighter,” he said.

He said he offered a “clean opinion” for the city’s financial statements, found no deficiencies in the internal controls and found the city in compliance with all grant programs and state and federal funding.

He said in looking at reserves for the enterprise funds, “rates are probably adequate,” and again noted the difference from the previous year.

This year he said revenues were up and expenses were down and “last year it was the opposite affect.”

OTHER BUSINESS

In other business the council:

•Approved the lone bid for a new solid waste truck from Floyd’s Truck Center in Gillette for $279,222 to be delivered no later than Oct. 31, 2025.

•Heard a report from Green Hills golf pro Donnie Bjorhus of Sagebrush Sports that August was busy with 2,577 rounds of golf played, an increase of 245 rounds from last year.

He said they received a lot of compliments during the state tournament and the Wyoming State Golf Association is considering having Green Hills as the location for next year’s tournament as well.

•Approved a street closure of Pulliam Avenue from 14th to 15th streets for a block party on Sept. 14. The request was made by Justy Honomichl. He said the block party last year when the closure was approved was a huge success. He said it will be open for emergency vehicles and noted as a member of the Worland Fire Department he would receive any pages for the fire department.

Council member Rebecca George said she heard great things about it last year and made the motion to approve the closure from 6 to 9 p.m. The motion was approved unanimously with Kody DeMunbrun and Mike Neufer absent.

Mayor Jim Gill voiced opposition and was opposed last year concerned about precedence for residents seeking street closures.

•Approved a request from Rance Neighbors for Newell Sargent Park to be used for a fundraiser for the Class of 2025. They will be having a duck race in the canal with the intent to sell 350 ducks. He said they have already spoken to the canal board. The event will be on Sept. 28 with a time to be determined.

•Heard a report for Public Works Director Nick Kruger that there have been five leaks in a row on Grace Avenue, noting the water line there is 1954 or older. He said the city will have to be looking at a significant line replacement project.

He also reported that he has spoken with Betty Jo Jacks who is working on starting a dog park and looking at potential locations. He said to start with she is looking for small acreage and just wants a socialization area.

The biggest stumbling block in developing a dog park is funding. He said Jacks is researching funding opportunities.

When asked who would be cleaning up the dog park, regarding poop, Kruger said he did not know.

He noted that in every park the city has dog poop is a problem with owners not cleaning up after their pet.

Kruger said there are some volunteers who do pick up the parks, especially if they know there will be an event coming up.

•Approved on third and final reading a zone change at 201 South Fifth to allow for a Bryant Funeral Home crematory. The zone change is from central business to light industrial.

In earlier meetings, Kendra Ware, funeral director, said the project could take up to a year once final approval was received.

In attendance were Ward 2 two-year seat candidate Sheryl Ley, Ward 3 candidate Tony Wartman and Ward 2 four-year seat candidate Lawrence

Meier.