Sheridan City Council Regular Meeting - May 18, 2026

The regular council meeting of the Sheridan City Council was called to order at 5:30 p.m. on May 18, 2026, with Mayor Bridger presiding. The meeting included community updates, staff presentations, public comments, a public hearing, and several votes on contracts and resolutions. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the meeting agenda unanimously.
• Approved the consent agenda containing four items: reappointment of Margaret "Maggie" Marnot to the Planning Commission (term expiring June 30, 2029), appointment of Councilmember Bev Lightman to the Police Department Civil Service Commission (term expiring June 30, 2029), minutes of the May 4, 2026 regular council meeting, and claims. All passed without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dennis Fox spoke during public comment, urging the council to vote against placing the one-cent general purpose excise tax (GPET) on the ballot and encouraging citizens to vote for a lower 5% sales tax. He argued that the tax has become a "slush fund" for politicians and violates the Wyoming Constitution by allocating tax dollars to private entities. He quoted Article 16, Section 1, and called for better fiscal management.

Public Hearings

• New Restaurant Liquor License No. 17 for OLAS Market: A public hearing was held at 6:12 p.m. The license includes a fenced patio as part of the approved consumption area. The state confirmed no corrections were needed. Councilmember Wood inquired about whether the fence must be built before outdoor sales; Assistant City Clerk Michael Shapiro clarified that indoor sales can proceed immediately. The license was approved unanimously.

Discussion Items

• Community Update – Sheridan Arts Council (SAC): President Sean Day introduced the SAC board and outlined programs supported, including Concerts in the Park, youth scholarships, and partnerships with the WYO Theater and Sheridan College. He noted increased student participation (from 10 to 16 last year, and from 0 to 20 at Sheridan High School) and requested continued city funding via GPET. Councilmembers expressed strong support for the arts.
• Community Update – Sheridan County Justice Office: Acting Administrator Dane Pearson provided an annual report for FY25, reporting 82 juveniles served (average 35/month), 21 adults in adult treatment court (average 12/month), and 222 adults undergoing random UA/PBT testing (average 80/month). He also presented FY26 year-to-date numbers and a proposed FY27 budget. Mayor Bridger acknowledged the office's sensitive work and thanked the staff.
• Staff Update – Tax Increment Financing (TIF): Public Works Director Hans Mercer presented an overview of TIF, explaining it is a public financing tool used in blighted areas to fund infrastructure improvements. He noted that TIF is only allowed under urban renewal in Wyoming (W.S. 15-9-101) and requires a blight study. Examples from Cheyenne and Casper were provided. Councilmember Brantz clarified that TIF is not intended for greenfield development. Councilmember Wood expressed hope that economically underdeveloped areas could qualify, but Mercer noted the strict blight criteria. No vote was taken; the presentation was informational.
• Resolution 08-26 – GPET Ballot Placement: City Administrator Stu McCray presented financial data showing the average household pays about $240 per year for the fifth penny (one-cent GPET), with residents paying roughly one-third of total collections ($2 million out of $5.4 million received in FY25). He explained that 48% of GPET funds go to community projects, 32% to partner support, 8% to utilities, and 12% to equipment reinvestment. City Attorney Brad Timmish explained the resolution is an endorsement to place the question on the November 2026 ballot. After discussion, the resolution was approved unanimously (yes on all council votes).
• Bid Award – Wastewater Treatment Plant Rehabilitation: Utilities Director Dan Roberts reported that Prospect Construction submitted the low bid of $8,171,540 (engineer's estimate was $9 million). The project includes electrical upgrades, a redundant belt press, pump station upgrades, and HVAC improvements. Funding comes from a $14 million zero-interest Clean Water SRF loan. Councilmember Wood expressed confidence in Prospect after learning of their wastewater expertise. The bid award was approved unanimously.
• Contract with IAFF Local 276: Human Resources Director Heather Dopes presented a two-year contract with the firefighters' union, featuring a schedule change to a "48/96" (48 hours on, 96 hours off) starting January 2027, adjusted vacation accruals, average paycheck elimination, and pay increases of 1.75% for firefighter grade and 2.25% for upper grades for both FY27 and FY28. Councilmember Patzig noted the change will improve work-life balance. The contract was approved unanimously.
• City Administrator Contract: City Attorney Brad Timmish presented a three-year agreement for Stu McCray (May 24, 2026 – June 30, 2029) with a $170,000 annual salary (a 10% increase), the same annual raises as city employees up to 2.5%, and a six-month severance for termination without cause. Councilmember Leckner opposed the severance clause, stating he would vote no. The contract was approved 6-1 (Councilmember Leckner opposed).
• Council Comments & Committee Reports: Councilmembers reported on CEDA (north-end project progressing), NEWUI (Wyoming Association of Municipalities offering treasurer support), CAST (air service exceeding 90% load factor), SAWS (water system improvements), and SPAC (preparing for Third Thursday events). City Administrator Stu McCray announced a public meeting on Sheltered Acres park (May 20, 5:30 p.m.) and a public meeting regarding YDot's Coffeen Avenue proposals (May 27, 5 p.m. at Ramada Inn). McCray also thanked outgoing IT specialist Glenn Manry and noted that Kaylin Herring was selected as his replacement. Finally, McCray highlighted Public Works Director Hans Mercer's heroism: on May 13, while off-duty at Lake DeSmet, Mercer rescued a 21-year-old woman and her dog after she fell from a paddleboard into 48-degree water; the woman was hypothermic but recovered.

Key Outcomes

• Approved consent agenda and OLAS Market liquor license unanimously.
• Approved Resolution 08-26 to place the one-cent GPET on the November 2026 ballot (unanimous).
• Awarded bid for wastewater treatment plant rehabilitation to Prospect Construction for $8,171,540 (unanimous).
• Approved two-year contract with IAFF Local 276 (unanimous).
• Approved city administrator contract for Stu McCray, 6-1, with Councilmember Leckner dissenting due to the severance clause.
• The meeting was adjourned at 7:18 p.m.