Dollars and cents at the front of the line

Saratoga Mayor Creed James presented the Childhood Cancer Awareness resolution to the Council and the guests at the Saratoga Town Council meeting on October, 18, 2022. It is a resolution that makes October 23 through October 29 Childhood Cancer Awareness week. It was proclaimed and signed by Mayor James at the meeting.

Lenny Layman, Carbon County Emergency Manager, addressed the Council about a joint funding opportunity to hire a deputy emergency manager. Layman has also presented this option to the Carbon County Council of Governments (CCCOG). Layman has secured a a grant that would cover half of the deputy’s salary and benefits. Rawlins is willing to pay a quarter of the remaining amount. The rest, Layman hopes, can be absorbed by the other municipalities. Layman said that CCCOG discussed an even split, dividing the other quarter up nine ways. Another option would be to split through the fifth penny distribution ranking.

Layman expressed his hope that they could find a candidate that will enhance Emergency Management and add more value. A candidate with a skill set for document writing is needed to help with the gaps in plans–such as sheltering plans, evacuation plans and continuity of government. Layman said that the more robust the plans on each town’s shelf, the more access he has to go for grants to help supplement expenses. Layman also explained this is an opportunity to build something that has not been done in Wyoming. In Layman’s thinking, everything he can do to help the municipalities become more self-sufficient, helps the county. Then they would be able to take on issues before they grow to the point where Carbon County, the state or even the Federal government has to get involved.

It would take approximately 3 months to build a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) for Saratoga. Layman said he is not asking for action at this meeting, just consideration of the program.

Layman suggested, as time goes on, the Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) will be harder to get and become more limited in what the grant can be used for. He is trying to get another person in the Emergency Management office so that if things change or if they decide to freeze additional grant funding, Carbon County will be ready.

Councilmember Hutchins asked Layman if they were eligible for Impact funds for some of the local projects. Layman said he has received Impact funds and used them in the area.

Layman said his goal is to write a clear job description this December and start a national search in January. Then hire mid to end of January. This time frame fits the grant cycle and the needs. Councilmember Nelson said this is something that needs to be revisited between the Council and the Commissioners or the County Attorney. Nelson also said this should be codified in an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Therefore, it isn’t something that is ready to be voted on yet. Layman agreed that having an MOU out to all the municipalities with Emergency Management to initially fund the deputy puts something solid in place. This would help create a tighter network to work within. A deputy would help greatly with preparedness and mitigation, which also helps open up funding.

Saratoga Town Clerk Marie Christen reports that the Town received a letter from the Treasury Department stating that there is a funding shortfall and the ones that will be most impacted are the small towns. Responses for emails and phone calls will take longer. This is basically a warning from Washington, D.C. saying that it will take longer for financial issues, etc… to be resolved if the Town has questions.

Christen also presented the Wyoming Association of Municipalities and Wyoming County Commissioners Association (WAM-WCCA) energy lease program. This organization offers funding for municipal energy saving projects. Christen reported that the furnace and air conditioning units are approximately 15 years old at town hall according to the last service technician’s visit. There have been several service calls and the technician is not sure how long these units will last. The Council will look at the WAM-WCCA program and revisit this issue.

Christen said she had been asked what they did at Town Hall so she put together a list of what they had done in the last two weeks. The old website was cleaned up and documents are being reformatted to transfer to the new website so they can go live. They are also working on getting policies and procedures in place for the new time clock module that was recently installed. Christen also said a review and corrections of all the personnel files to make sure they are in compliance is on her to-do list. The F66, a survey of local government finances, was recently submitted to the state. A self audit for the Town was completed and, because that was submitted, they are now eligible for the Water and Sewer American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant program.

Christen further reported there are delinquent citations, from the early 2000’s, that were never caught–even when the person had been arrested or cited later. With the new procedures in place there have been several people in court and warned that they have prior active citations and/or warrants. If these items aren’t paid, they will be sent to collections.

Mayor James said, since they are still struggling to catch up on bank reconciliations, he had reached out to Stuart Webster, the accountant, to help the Town office.The council approved up to $6,000 for Webster to help with reconciliation. An update at the next meeting will be allowed to reconsider if that is the path they want to keep following.

Lisa Engstrom, Carbon County Senior Center Director, called Christen to ask if they could use the town gas card since they are transporting a resident to Laramie twice a week for dialysis. Engstrom said that she would be open to drawing up a new contract. Christen went back through archives and was not able to find anything in writing. The council was concerned. Where would this stop? Councilmember Nelson suggested they get the gas card back and come up with an operating agreement. The council will talk about how to continue supporting that service. Christen is meeting with Engstrom at the Carbon County Senior Center’s board meeting to have a further discussion. Nelson suggested saying that the Town wants to continue supporting the seniors, but they are going to have to structure it differently, not with a gas card. He asked that Engstrom provide an idea for another form of support.

The next Saratoga Town Council meeting is at 6 pm on November 1, 2022.

Saratoga Town Council

Other business

Leslie Johnson, Carbon County Visitors Council, gave an update on their new logo and other marketing upgrades.

She also reminded the Council to vote to renew the two percent lodging tax will be on the ballot.

Black Hills Energy notified Christen they will be replacing services on the Hickory Street Loop.

November 14 through November 20 was declared National Apprenticeship week in the town of Saratoga.

The State of Wyoming Retirement program can contribute to the part time police officer.

Saratoga Municipal Court received 15 new citations since the launch of the new Spillman system.

A public hearing will be scheduled for November 15 to review the liquor license applications.

A new accounting clerk was hired about 3 weeks ago and is doing well.

The MOU regarding Odd Fellows Park being taken care of by Daniel and McCall Burau was approved. It was made clear, this is not an extension of their business or their liquor license.

Ordinance 865 regulating mobile vending, was approved by council and will be sent to the attorney for review.

Police Department

Sergeant Christen of Saratoga Police Department reported the new DigiTicket and the new Spillman are now being used.

Council approved the money Jansen donated for bullet proof vests be utilized.

Mayor James had added the request for Munson’s raise which was approved.

Recreation Department

The pickle ball court is taped out and ready for use, there will be a pickle ball clinic.

A public survey has been released to help set goals for the recreation departments.

A reimbursement grant from CCVC for the festival was received.

The recreation commission regular meeting on November 7th at 6 pm at Town Hal and a public workshop will follow at 6:30 p.m.

Public Works

The Walnut Avenue tap was completed for Brush Creek Laundromat.

The Spring Avenue project is moving forward.

Jon Winter’s resignation was read. It is effective August 28 was approved by Council.

Game and Fish

The rotenone treatment at Saratoga Lake was successful.

Three sentinel cages with fish in them were put out, after 24 hours, all 30 fish were still alive giving good indication that the product has dissipated.

Signs have been taken down.

Gill net testing will begin to make sure that they got all fish.