Council considers rate increases, project progress

At last week's regular meeting, the Sundance City Council discussed whether or not the new year will bring an increase in utility rates for citizens. While no increases were implemented last year, said Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz, the staff at City Hall are proposing a 4% increase this year.

The council usually takes action in December for increases to go into effect in January, Lenz said. In the meantime, she presented proposed figures for the council to consider over the coming month.

Mayor Paul Brooks commented that the decision not to increase rates last year may have been a "terrible mistake," considering the financial situation the state has since found itself in.

"I think we should look at it fairly seriously," he said.

Brooks reminded the council that a rate study performed for the city a number of years ago recommended that the council automatically increase rates at the end of each year. However, he said, sometimes the council feels it's not necessary.

Right now, however, Brooks feels the city does need the increase.

At last week's meeting, the council also took time to recognize two long-time contributors to the city. The first was Andrea Humphries, who was not able to attend to receive her plaque.

"She has been involved in our summer rec program for 30 years," said Brooks as he thanked her for her service.

Joking that Fire Chief Gari Gill doesn't look old enough to have been involved with the city for 50 years, "not only as a fireman, but also on city council," Brooks presented him with a plaque to honor his service.

Lenz reported on Sundance Square, telling the council that she and Public Works Director Mac Erickson are working on an ice skating rink, for which the Sundance Chamber of Commerce could sell tickets on a fundraising basis.

The city is working on the contractor on a final punch list for the new park, she said. While it does feel like things are buttoned up for the winter, she stated that there may be a few outstanding details to tackle in the spring, such as replacing a few trees and making sure the sprinkler system works.

Lenz also presented a letter from the Wyoming Business Council asking for Smart Capital Network – a program that helps businesses gather the collateral for a loan to which the city has belonged since it was first launched – be considered to manage a triage of $13 million coming in from the federal government for distribution in Wyoming.

Karla Greaser of Trihydro reported that water line construction is being wrapped up on the Sundance Kid water tank project and there will then be a brief winter shutdown before tank construction begins in the spring.

She presented a change order that includes a deduction in costs for changes to the length of boring, as well as a few additional fittings that were needed. All together, this caused a decrease of $16,000 on project costs.

The change order also moved the substantial completion date for the project to May 15. It was approved by the council.

In departmental reports, Sheriff Jeff Hodge reported that 112 calls for service were received last month from Sundance, out of more than 500 that came in from across the county.

Gill reported nine new members have joined the volunteer fire department this year and are in the process of getting geared and schooled. He told the council that he is investigating potential funding sources to expand the fire hall, as things are getting tight in there; new lights are also needed.

The next regular meeting of the council is scheduled for December 7.