Sheridan City Council Meeting - April 20, 2026
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Sheridan City Council Regular Meeting - April 20, 2026
The Sheridan City Council met on April 20, 2026, for a regular meeting. The agenda included a third-quarter budget update, approval of a consent agenda, a bid award for the landfill building project, and adoption of the Sheridan County Emergency Operations Plan. Council members also provided committee reports and discussed future agenda items. The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session for firefighter negotiations.
Consent Calendar
- Final acceptance of public infrastructure for River Strome Park Phase 2 subdivision.
- Resolution 07-2.6 designating Midland Road between West Bist Street and Hill Pond Drive as a school zone.
- Approval of the minutes from the regular council meeting held on April 6, 2026.
- Approval of claims.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Maggie Wisneski, a local Sheridan resident, expressed concern that the city may be overtaxing residents based on a preliminary review of the budget presentation. She requested time to review the materials further and asked if she could bring questions to the next council meeting. Council members indicated she was welcome to do so and suggested she contact staff in advance for accurate information.
Staff Updates
- Third Quarter Budget Update: City Treasurer Darla Hawkins presented the budget update for January through March 2026. Revenue and expenditure slides showed trends across major funds. Sales and use tax revenue for fiscal year 2026 is well above historical averages. The solid waste fund shows 59% of revenue not yet received, largely due to slip loans for projects like the Cell 9 landfill cell, which was recently awarded. Federal revenue of $17.9 million remains unspent, tied to grant reimbursements. Councilmember Whiteson asked about salaries and benefits, and Hawkins confirmed they are on track. Councilmember Patzig inquired about police vehicle costs: the budget was $77,000, vehicles were purchased for $40,000, and the remaining funds cover outfitting.
Discussion Items
- Bid Award – Landfill Building Project: Dan Roberts, Utility Director, presented a bid award for the new administration and shop building at the landfill. The project is part of the landfill remediation effort. Two bids were received; Axe Build submitted the low bid of $3,016,909, which exceeded the architect's estimate of $2.7 million. Funding includes $580,000 from the Department of Environmental Quality (via deferred remediation costs) and the remainder from Clean Water SRF loans. The project is expected to be completed within one year. Council approved the bid award unanimously.
- Sheridan County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP): Jesse Ludicus, Emergency Management Coordinator, presented the updated EOP, which replaces the 2022 plan. The plan is required by Wyoming Statute 19-13-108 and is necessary for federal assistance and grant eligibility. It outlines roles and responsibilities for natural and man-made disasters, but does not replace incident command. Councilmember Lumen raised concerns about the legal basis for forced evacuation, stating that Wyoming statutes do not clearly authorize such actions and that the plan could risk constitutional overreach, referencing COVID-era government actions. He proposed adding language to nullify actions that violate constitutional rights. Despite his objections, the motion to adopt the plan passed with a majority vote.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Approved: Unanimous approval.
- Bid Award Approved: Motion to award the landfill building contract to Axe Build for $3,016,909 passed unanimously.
- Emergency Operations Plan Adopted: Motion passed despite opposition from Councilmember Lumen. The plan is adopted for the city, with other towns and the county already having adopted or pending adoption.
- Committee Reports: No formal votes, but council noted ongoing work on CEDA (job description for director, business park phase 2), Sheridan Area Water System (updated operating agreement), SPAC Public Arts Committee (purchased a cat sculpture, repairing bases), and DSA (Main Street America conference, preparation for Third Thursday and Winefest events).
- Future Agenda Items: Council requested a representative from the hospital to discuss the transition to a critical care hospital, and an update on the Story House project. The city administrator announced a public meeting on April 28, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers regarding the overlay service on Laux and Works streets.
- Executive Session: The council voted unanimously to enter executive session under Wyoming Statute 16-4-405 to discuss wages, salaries, benefits, and terms of employment for firefighter negotiations. No motions or actions were expected to result from the closed session.
Meeting Transcript
Now we can stand for the pledge. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you all for coming again. And our indication tonight is from Mr. Bowling here, Bowling. Thank you so much for showing up. Appreciate it. Yep. Thank you. I'm Harry Bowling. I'm the chaplain for Sheridan Memorial Hospice. And I have a little brief story to color my prayer. I like science fiction. My wife doesn't care so much. And I went and saw the Hail Mary project. And when I got home, she said, what was it about? And I said, I've got just the answer to get her. I said it's about someone that finds something worth laying their life down for. They're not building career. They're laying their life down in public service. And I pray for each and every one of them for their families, for everything that they touch, their finances, their health. God, that you would bless them, that you would keep them from all evil, that you would make your face shine upon them. And as they serve this city, you would prosper, Sheridan. You would keep us safe from evil, from crime, from drugs, from trafficking. God, that you would anoint our officers in the streets and our fire department and our first responders that you would watch over this group as they diligently look after our best interests, and we thank you for them in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Thank you very much. And thank the Cornerstone Church. So appreciate it. Ashley, have the honors. Councilmember Lumen. Here. Councilmember Brands is absent. Councilmember Wood. Councilmember Lightnum. Present. Councilmember Whiteson? President. Councilmember Patzig? Here. And Mayor Bridger. Here. Thank you. Now I would take a motion to uh approve the agenda as presented. Do I have a motion? So moved. I was doing a second. Second. I have a motion and a second. Any further discussion regarding the agenda.
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