TORRINGTON – The Torrington City Council met on March 18 at 5:30 p.m. for its regularly scheduled meeting. In attendance were mayor Herb Doby and council members Wayne Deahl, Dennis Kelly, Shane Viktorin, and Rick Warren. Mayor Doby called the meeting to order, and Viktorin led the Pledge of Allegiance.

During his informational items, mayor Doby highlighted the work of city staff in preparing the city’s outdoor properties for spring and summer use. The city maintains the pool, golf course, cemetery and numerous sports fields. He noted part-time and seasonal staff play a crucial role in completing the necessary work during the busy warm months.

Deahl moved to approve the consent agenda, and Kelly seconded the motion. Before the vote, the mayor opened a discussion regarding the consent agenda. He stated he was “distressed” by the Telegram’s coverage of the previous council meeting, describing it as “just wrong” and “the direct opposite of what was true.” 

The headline of the article in question stated, “City council OKs another $1/2 mil for baler project.” This referred to an action item from the previous meeting where, according to a memo from public works director Jeff Harkins to mayor Doby, “We recommend that Council approve Amendment No. 4 to the Agreement for Professional Services with IME in the not-to-exceed amount of $453,250.00 and authorize the mayor and clerk to sign.” 

The amendment was approved, increasing the city’s obligated project costs for the baler project by approximately half a million dollars. The total project estimate of $5.5 million has not been fully obligated by the council. 

However, after the last meeting’s vote, the city is obligated to pay IME an amount not to exceed $453,250 which were not previously obligated upon completion of contracted engineering services. This amount is in addition to the base contract with IME in furtherance of the baler project. 

While the headline did not provide those details of the amendment, the article’s text stated, “Steele [a representative from IME] noted while the project was estimated at $5.5 million a year ago, inflation and labor costs could impact the final amount.” The mayor asserted the official meeting minutes, written by city staff and submitted to the city council for approval, more accurately represent the city’s position regarding actions taken during council meetings.

The minutes provided by the city, though, are in line with the Telegram’s reporting. The minutes state, “Director of public works (DPW) Harkins presented for approval amendment number four to the agreement for professional services with Inberg-Miller Engineers (IME) in the not-to-exceed amount of $453,250.00 (…) He commented the estimated cost from the study was $5,489,532, which included the engineering and permitting cost.” After no further comments from the council, the consent agenda was approved. The agenda for the night’s meeting was also approved. No comments were made during the public forum.

The council then invited Paul Stille from Leo Riley and Company to review the recent audit of the city’s financial statements for fiscal year 2024. Stille explained his methodology regarding what constituted a “material adjustment,” the review of federal funds received, and the importance of allocating revenue to the appropriate budget category. He also discussed a recommendation to add an unfunded liability to the financial statements relating to the state’s failure to fully fund the defined benefit program. According to Stille, the audit was completed without a material finding. Deahl made a motion to accept the audit, Kelly seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

Next, the council voted to issue a proclamation designating March 18, 2025, as National Service Recognition Day. The proclamation emphasizes the importance of volunteer work in local communities. National Service Recognition Day has been declared in the city for many years. AmeriCorps is the driving force behind the initiative, though the council was not aware of any current local AmeriCorps volunteer projects. Viktorin made a motion to approve the proclamation, Kelly seconded the motion, and the motion passed.

The third action item involved a power cost adjustment. City staff hired a consultant and an attorney who recommended an approximate 5% increase to existing electric rates. The city reviews its electric rates annually and submits them to the Wyoming Public Service Commission (PSC) for approval before applying them to customers’ electric bills. While municipalities typically set their own rates, Torrington provides electric services to approximately 700 customers outside city limits, requiring PSC involvement to protect the interests of those non-city residents. The new rates are proposed to take effect on April 1. City treasurer Lynette Strecker informed the council the wholesale rate for electricity received from the Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska has increased and the proposed rate increase reflects those costs being passed down to users. Viktorin noted the increase was lower than those seen in Casper and expressed his belief the adjustments are necessary for the city to maintain the solvency of its electric fund. Deahl made a motion to approve the rate increase, Kelly seconded the motion, and the council unanimously approved the increase.

The council then reviewed recent bills. Viktorin commented on a recent salt expenditure, explaining the water department has been making its own chlorine from salt, resulting in cost savings compared to previously purchasing chlorine. After a motion from Kelly, the council approved payment of the bills.

The floor was then opened for public comments. Torrington Fire Chief Luis Correa reported the fire department had responded to three calls since the previous council meeting, a relatively low number considering the high-risk conditions. Dennis Estes, buildings and grounds superintendent, informed the council the city had received funding to build pickleball courts. The courts will be constructed near the pool facility in the coming months.

The meeting then entered an executive session to discuss potential litigation.

The next city council meeting is scheduled for April 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers.