Sheridan City Council Meeting – June 15, 2026

The Sheridan City Council met on Monday, June 15, 2026, in a regular meeting. The agenda included a community update from Sheridan Memorial Hospital, public hearings on the FY26 budget amendment and the FY27 budget, final plats for two subdivisions, second readings of two ordinances, and several new business items.

Community Update: Sheridan Memorial Hospital Critical Access

Mike McCafferty presented on the hospital's consideration of a federal 'critical access' designation. He said Sheridan County's average age is 42.9, and 23.9% of residents are over 65 (up from 15.6% in 2010). Under the current prospective payment system, Medicare pays about 75 cents per dollar of cost, while commercial payers pay about $1.46. In 2025, top-line revenue was $360 million, with 65% outpatient care and deductions from revenue of 59%. He noted the hospital would have exceeded a 25-inpatient-bed cap only 3.8% of the time in 2025 (1.4% in 2024). Changing to cost reimbursement would likely generate a 10% or greater annual improvement in operating margin. He answered questions about the 25-bed federal limit, the Affordable Care Act, behavioral health beds, and the hospital's status as a county memorial hospital.

Consent Calendar

The council approved the consent agenda, including:

• Appointment of Justin Stripp to the Sheridan Travel and Tourism Board (term expiring July 1, 2029).
• Reappointment of Karen Schumacher to the Sheridan Travel and Tourism Board (term expiring July 1, 2029).
• Appointment of Adam Benson to the Planning Commission (term expiring June 30, 2029).
• Appointment of Rio Franzman to the Planning Commission (term expiring June 30, 2029).
• Minutes of the regular council meeting held June 1, 2026.
• Claims, with a councilmember recusing from items 116 and 117.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ron Patterson, a local developer, spoke on the parks budget and Holly Ponds Park. He said the park was turned over to the city 11 years ago with a $600,000 donation to the city. He expressed support for more park maintenance and offered a $20,000 donation for a high school student cleanup effort, asking the city to match by doing infrastructure work.

• Stephanie Bluer, a county-side property owner adjacent to the proposed West Haven Estates, requested that the subdivider be required to construct a perimeter fence along the south boundary, citing Wyoming statute 18-53-19, which places the burden on the subdivider. She also raised concerns about drainage and irrigation easements and requested consideration of a larger setback to allow free water flow.

• Salvador, a property owner near the West Haven development, expressed concerns about growth, traffic, water, and the existing ecosystem around the drainage; he asked that the city be responsible in development.

• Maggie Wisnewski, a Sheridan resident, said the city's current eight mills plus two potential mills requested for a senior district (The Hub) would be 'double dipping' on top of the city's $80,000 GPET allocation to The Hub.

• Amber Horsley, a Sheridan resident, said the Riverstone Village trash collection plan would result in 'massive trash cans everywhere' and urged the council not to approve the plat.

• Drew Davis, a Gateway district resident, opposed the Riverstone density, stating that townhouses are less desirable for families than detached single-family homes and the development does not align with Sheridan's values.

• Trevor Norris, a local contractor, supported Riverstone, saying the high-density design lowers construction costs and provides needed affordable housing.

• Barbara Hill gave positive feedback on the parade chair resolution and suggested the city tell the public to put identification on their chairs if collected.

Public Hearing: Resolution 11-26 – FY26 Budget Amendment #2

City Treasurer Darla Hawkins presented the second FY26 budget amendment, reducing the overall budget from $155,046,742 to approximately $136,325,000. The amendment ties out the end of the year, cleans up contingencies, rebudgets encumbered purchases, and adds newly received grants. The resolution passed by voice vote.

Public Hearing: Resolution 12-26 – FY27 Budget Adoption

City Administrator Stuart McRae presented the FY27 budget, calling it 'a day of reckoning.' The budget includes a 3% cost-of-living increase, four new positions, and full use of the city's eight mills of property tax. He explained that reducing the mill levy could hurt the city's eligibility for state grants and low-interest loans. Councilmember Andy spoke against the budget, citing concerns about nonprofit funding, non-maintenance art projects, and membership in the Wyoming Association of Municipalities; he voted no. The budget passed with one dissenting vote.

Public Hearing: West Haven Estates Final Plat (Resolution 09-26)

City Planner Kelly Schroeder and City Engineer Tom presented the final plat for the 91-lot subdivision on Midland Road. The proposal includes 60-foot rights-of-way, sidewalks, and a school zone. Traffic signal warrant analysis for Fifth and Midland and Fifth and Long showed no criteria met by 2031 projections. Drainage plans show detention ponds that release at or below pre-developed flow rates. The engineer confirmed that a barbed wire fence along the north boundary would be replaced and realigned. The final plat and requested depth-to-front-ratio variance for lots 71–91 were approved by voice vote.

Public Hearing: Riverstone Village Final Plat (Resolution 10-26)

City Planner Kelly Schroeder presented the final plat for the 139-unit townhouse subdivision on Dovetail Lane. The applicant requested the affordable housing density of 10 units per acre provided in the Villages Master Plan. The plan includes public and private streets, a solid waste plan with centralized collection on Stillwater Loop, and a pathway to a future city park. Public comments raised concerns about density and trash management. Developer Swain Redinger responded that the design provides multiple off-street parking spaces per unit and fills a need for attainable housing. The final plat and variance passed by voice vote.

Old Business: Second Readings

• Ordinance 2301-26 (updating fees in city code) passed by roll call vote, 7-0.
• Ordinance 2302-26 (revising chapters 4, 8, and 18 on alcohol permits, mobile vending, and special events) passed by roll call vote, 7-0.

New Business

• Right-of-Way Purchase: The council approved the purchase of 127 square feet from Crobo LLC for $8,500 to improve the turn radius for large trucks at Fifth and Main. Funding will come from the city's one-cent optional sales tax.
• Joint Land Use Plan Consultant: The council awarded a contract to Interstate Engineering for the joint land use plan update in the amount of $200,000, with the city paying two-thirds ($133,333) and the county one-third. The project will include extensive public engagement and an implementation strategy.
• Wyoming Rodeo Parade Chairs: The council passed Resolution 13-26, prohibiting placement of parade chairs before 5 p.m. on the Thursday before the parade and requiring a five-foot ADA pathway. Early-placed chairs will be removed and stored by the police department.

Council Comments & Reports

• A councilmember noted concerns from downtown business owners about bikes and skateboards on Main Street sidewalks.
• City Administrator Stuart McRae reported that sales and use tax revenue is 7.6% above last year, Park Reservoir is full, and the Citizen Academy is accepting applications.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 11-26 (FY26 budget amendment) passed by voice vote.
• Resolution 12-26 (FY27 budget) passed with one dissenting vote.
• Resolution 09-26 (West Haven Estates final plat) passed by voice vote.
• Resolution 10-26 (Riverstone Village final plat) passed by voice vote.
• Ordinance 2301-26 passed second reading (7-0).
• Ordinance 2302-26 passed second reading (7-0).
• Right-of-way purchase approved.
• Joint land use plan award approved.
• Resolution 13-26 (parade chairs) approved.