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www.thermopir.com

COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS
The Thermopolis Town Council met in regular
session October 18, 2016 at 7 pm at Town Hall.
Present were Mayor Mike Mortimore, Council
members Tony Larson, John Dorman Sr., Mark
Nelson and Dusty Lewis. Also, present were Mayor/Codes Administrative Assistant Fred Crosby,
Clerk/Treasurer Tracey Van Heule, Police Chief
Steven Shay, Town Engineer Anthony Barnett,
Public Works Director Ernie Slagle and Town Attorney Mike Messenger.
AGENDA: Nelson made a motion, seconded
by Larson and carried to approve the agenda as
written.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: Nelson made a
motion, seconded by Mortimore and carried to approve the nancial statement for September 2016.
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION: CATERING PERMIT: Dorman made a motion, seconded by Larson and carried to approve a catering permit, for
Shortys, at the Fairgrounds for the FFA Alumni
Harvest Moon Ball on November 12, 2016 from
5 pm to midnight. The Fair Board gave written
approval for the event.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: HOLIDAY
PLANS: MERI ANN RUSH: Mortimore made a
motion, seconded by Dorman and carried to approve closing 5th street from Broadway, east to
the alley on October 27 from 5 pm to 9 pm to allow for the Trunk or Treat event. Nelson made
a motion, seconded by Lewis and carried to approve closing 5th street from Broadway, east to
the alley on November 26 (Shop Small Saturday)
from 8 am to 8 pm. Rush also asked for a council member to attend the solar eclipse planning
meetings. The next meeting is November 15th at
10 am at the Fire Hall.
TOWN ENGINEER: ANTHONY BARNETT:
PROJECT UPDATES: Barnett noted the milliongallon tank painting project is ahead of schedule
and the tank will need minimal welding. WWDC
received the Water Phase 1 request.
TOWN ATTORNEY: MIKE MESSENGER:
FIRST READING OF AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL BURNING: Messenger read the ordinance. Nelson made
a motion and Lewis seconded. Discussion ensued
on amending the ordinance to follow the county
re ban and the different vegetation in town. Motion carried.
ADMINISTRATION: FRED CROSBY: Nelson
made a motion, seconded by Larson and carried
to support awarding the returned County Consensus grant funds (about $97,000) to the Town
of Kirby, the next alternate, for their $150,000
water tank project.
MAYOR & COUNCIL: Mortimore noted the
landll had received nearly 3,000 tires prior to
charging for tires. No more tires will be taken,
until the Ordinance goes into effect. Discussion
ensued on costs of shredding, costs of transporting, using the shreds as temporary cover. Slagle
will contact rms that shred tires. Additional
discussion ensued on likely sewer and sanitation
rate increases after the rst of the year, an upcoming candidate forum in Worland and lights in
Bi-Centennial Park. Mortimore made a motion,
seconded by Dorman and carried to authorize the
purchase of solar lights for the park. The meeting
adjourned at 8:00 pm. The next Council meeting
is November 1, 2016 at 7 pm.
ATTEST:
__________________
Tracey Van Heule,
Clerk/Treasurer

___________________
Mike Mortimore,
Mayor

Pub. Oct. 27, 2016

No. 7906

PUBLIC NOTICE
Pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedure Act and the Wyoming Public Service Commissions (Commission) Procedural Rules, notice
is hereby given of the Application of Wyoming Gas
Company (WGC or the Company) for a general rate
case increase of $473,219 per annum, to amend
its Rules and Regulations, to conform its tariffs

October 27, 2016

Public notices

pursuant to revised Commission Rules effective

March 21, 2016, and upon the Joint Application
of WGC and NG Transmission (NGT) for authority to merge and for NGT to discontinue utility
service currently offered to the public (collectively
Application) as more fully described below.

impaired persons may contact the Commission

through Wyoming Relay at 711. Please mention
Docket Nos. 30009-60-GR-16 and 50051-2-PR16 (Record No. 14566) in your communications.

WGC is a public utility as dened in W.S.

37-1-101(a)(vi)(D), NGT is a public utility as dened by W.S. 37-1-101(a)(vi)(G), as such both
are subject to the Commissions jurisdiction pursuant to W.S. 37-2-112 and provide utility service to the public under Certicates of Public
Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) authorized
by the Commission.

Pub. Oct. 27, 2016

On October 3, 2016, WGC led its general rate

application with supporting preled testimony
and exhibits. In its Application, WGC requests
the following: [i] an order authorizing an increase
in the distribution rates and charges for natural
gas service rendered in Wyoming in the annual
amount of $473,219, which total is made up of an
increase of $449,484 in general gas revenues, and
an increase of $23,735 in other service charges
and fees; [ii] approval of an overall rate of return
on rate base of 9.837%; [iii] approval of amendments to its Rules and Regulations; [iv] approval
of tariffs in conformance with revised Commission Rules effective March 21, 2016. WGC and
NGT also jointly request: [v] authority to merge;
and [vi] authority for NGT to discontinue utility
service currently offered to the public and relinquish its CPCN, all as itemized in the testimony
and exhibits led with the Application.
In its Application, WGC requests changes to
the distribution portion of the Companys rates
and proposes a Return on Equity (ROE) of 12.73%
and the corresponding overall rate of return on
rate base of 9.837%, to make up the current annual deciency of $473,219. WGC bases its request on an adjusted test-year for the 12 months
ending May 31, 2016.
The effect of the proposed general rate increase
on the typical WGC customer in three rate classes
will be: Residential $92/year with projected average usage of 954 Ccf/year; Small Commercial
$162/year with projected average usage of 1,811
Ccf/year; and, Large Commercial $86/year with
projected average usage of 12,028 Ccf/year. Actual
bills will vary with usage. Customers served under other service schedules should contact WGC
for details on how the changes will affect them.
WGC also proposes to amend its Rules and Regulations to amend its descriptions and increase
certain service charges and fees, and includes
amendments to otherwise conform with the recently adopted Commission Rules.
WGC and NGT further jointly propose to merge
and reorganize the utilities as a single verticallyintegrated gas utility, and for NGT to discontinue
utility service currently offered to the public and
relinquish its CPCN.
This is not a complete description of the Application. Interested persons may inspect the Application at WGCs and NGTs ofces in Worland,
Wyoming, and at the Commissions ofces in Cheyenne, Wyoming, during regular business hours.
Anyone desiring to le a public comment, statement, intervention petition, protest or request
for a public hearing in this matter must le with
the Commission in writing on or before November 23, 2016. Any intervention request led with
the Commission shall set forth the grounds of the
proposed intervention or request for hearing as
well as the position and the interest of the petitioner in this proceeding.
If you wish to intervene in this matter or request
a public hearing which you will attend and you require reasonable accommodation for a disability,
call the Commission at (307) 777-7427 or write
the Commission, 2515 Warren Avenue, Suite 300,
Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002. Communications-

Dated: October 24, 2016.

STATE OF
WYOMING
COUNTY OF
HOT SPRINGS

No. 7904
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OFFICE OF THE
BOARD OF
COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
THERMOPOLIS
WYOMING
October 18, 2016

The Hot Springs Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at 4:00 p.m. in the Public Meeting
Room at the Government Annex. Present were
Commissioners John Lumley, Brad Basse and
Tom Ryan. Also present were County Attorney
Jerry Williams, County Clerk Nina Webber and
Administrative Assistant to the Commissioners
Penny Herdt. Chairman Lumley led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda
Tom Ryan moved to approve the agenda as
presented. Brad Basse seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Road & Bridge Blade Buyback Agreement
Road & Bridge Superintendent Dave Schlager
presented the buyback/purchase agreement with
Honnen Equipment Company for trade in of the
old blade and purchase of a new one for the Commissioners consideration. Tom Ryan moved to
approve the agreement with Honnen Equipment
Company for purchase of a new John Deere 770G
Motor Grader in the amount of $17,488.87 after
trade-in of the old blade. Brad Basse seconded
the motion. Motion carried.
Tax Rebate
Assessor Shelley Deromedi presented the following tax rebate for the Commissioners approval:
1. Rebate #3-16 Parcel #2182 for tax year
2016 (District 152) D J & M Properties,
c/o DRCR, LLC Land and Improvements
described as Lots 17-20, Block 3, Original Townsite of Thermopolis, Hot Springs
County, Wyoming. When parcels #2182
and #1530 were combined for tax year
2016, parcel #1530 was not deleted in the
CAMA system, resulting in overassessment
of 6264 on this parcel. This necessitates a
rebate of taxes in the amount of $436.14.
Brad Basse moved to approve Rebate #3-16
to DJ&M Properties, c/o DRCR, LLC for parcel
#1530 in the amount of $436.14. Tom Ryan seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Youth Alternatives Program Funding Review
Youth Alternatives Director Barb Rice reported that, as ofcial notication of federal funding
has not yet been received, the reimbursement
deadline for last years funding has been extended from September 30, 2016 to March 31, 2017.
There is some money left in the grant, but not
enough to get through next March. The Commissioners agreed that the program has enough value
to County residents to cover whatever shortfall
may occur through March. Ms. Rice presented the
amended amendment to the VOA/OJJDP grant
contract for the Commissioners signature. Tom
Ryan moved to approve the amended amendment
extending the VOA/OJJDP 2014/2015 Nonparticipating State Award Subgrant from December 31,
2016 to March 31, 2017. Brad Basse seconded the
motion. Motion carried.
Sage Grouse Study Cooperator Letter to
BLM
Per a request from the NRPC, a draft letter to
the BLM regarding ongoing sage grouse studies
and the Countys desire to be more involved and

informed as bets the Countys cooperator status

in this matter was presented for the Commissioners review and signature. Brad Basse moved to
approve the chairmans signature on the letter
to Mary Jo Rugwell, BLM State Director, asking
for more involvement in the ongoing sage grouse
studies and stating Hot Springs Countys concern
that predator impacts on Sage Grouse populations
are not being adequately addressed. Tom Ryan
seconded the motion. Motion carried.

Gooseberry Road Discussion

Ray DeVries and TJ Owsley appeared before the
Commissioners to discuss the status of a four-mile
section of Gooseberry road leading from Highway
120 to the LU ranch headquarters. The road is
used by several residents and oil companies and
is currently in very bad shape. The Commissioners noted that this section of road is not a county
road, and therefore, no County money could be
used for improvement or maintenance of the road
section at this time. Mr. DeVries received permission to work with Road & Bridge Superintendent
Dave Schlager regarding an exchange of material
from the Brown pit for material from one of Mr.
Devries pits for private work on this road section.

Other Business
T-Hangar Status Discussion GDA representative Jeremy Gilb joined the meeting by phone to
discuss the current status of the T-Hangar relocation. Plan approval has been received from the
State Fire Marshall for the relocation of seven of
the eight t-hangars from THP to HSG. Tom Ryan
moved to approve the chairmans signature on the
DFPES General Plan Correction List Plan Review #16046 NEW (2) dated October 5, 2016 and
signed by Pat Westerholm on October 13, 2016.
Brad Basse seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Mr. Gilb outlined the permit requirement for a
six-inch curbing separating each t-hangar and discussed various options for constructing the curbing. The County will install and pay for the curbing. Mr. Gilb recommended that the curbing be
installed after the dirtwork is done and the oors
are poured, but prior to construction of the hangars. FBO Nate Messenger will be asked to inform the t-hangar owners of the permit approval
and the construction requirements. Dr. Willson
has sold his plane and no longer wishes to have
a hangar at the new airport. Tom Ryan moved
to cancel the Willsons lease/purchase agreement
subject to approval by Dr. and Belinda Willson,
and refund all monies paid for the t-hangar and
the ground lot lease. Brad Basse seconded the
motion. Motion carried. Clerk Webber and Nate
Messenger will work with the Willsons regarding this plan. The site plan for the Kerstetters
t-hangar is still under review. Tom Ryan moved
to modify the Kerstetters current lot lease from
Block C, Lot 3 to Block B, Lot 1, if the Kerstetters are in agreement with this modication. Brad
Basse seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mr.
Gilb was asked to continue to follow up on the site
plan review for the eighth hangar site.

Correspondence
Department of Audit Non-Compliant Special Districts Notice Darcy Axtell appeared before the Commissioners to note that the Conservation District has led their report since this
notice was generated.
Fair Board Minutes August, 2016
The Commissioners reviewed the foregoing
correspondence items. No additional action was
required.

Adjourn
There being no further business to come before
the board, Brad Basse moved to adjourn. John
Lumley declared the meeting adjourned at 5:20
p.m.
_________________
John P. Lumley,
Chairman

Attest:
________________
Nina Webber,
Clerk to the Board

Pub. Oct. 27, 2016

No. 7905

POT LUCK
Haunted Patio
Shot Specials
FREE Taco Bar
Come see what we
are brewing up!!

Friday, Oct. 28
9 p.m.
Designated Driver Available

RTY'

SALOON &
LIQUOR STORE

103 East Broadway 864-3641

MEDICARE OPEN
ENROLLMENT
Now through December 7

Call Vicki Powell

for all your healthcare needs

800-298-9810

BRIDGE

Friday, Oct. 28 6-8:30 PM

at HSC Senior Center

Pot Luck dinner and a fun

game of party style bridge
Players are encouraged to
bring a side dish but not required

ATTENTION HOT SPRINGS

COUNTY TAXPAYERS!
The first installment of the 2016
taxes is due by November 10, 2016.

If you choose not to pay in installments, you have until December 31, 2016
to pay the total without interest. Please contact Hot Springs County
Treasurers Office if you have any questions at 864-3616.

Pay online at http://www.hscounty.com/Departments/Treasurer/Default.aspx

Pay by phone: call (877)690-3729 and use jurisdiction code 5990

GriefShare is a weekly seminar (13 sessions) and support group for people who are
grieving the death of someone close to them. It will help promote healing after the
death of someone in your life. It is a Biblically based program that delivers hope
and support for those going through the grief process.

Thursday, Oct. 27 7 p.m.

(13 Sessions every Thursday - through Dec. 8, 2016)

The program is free to anyone that would like to come. All sessions will be held at 141
Pioneer Home Dr., Thermopolis at 7 p.m. The program is facilitated by Miranda Nelson, coleaders are Chris and Pat Volser. For more info please call Miranda Nelson (307)277-7731.
Sponsored by HS Hospice & First Baptist Church

Cold Weather is Coming!

Warm up at

White Horse County Store

Insulated Flannel
Shirt Jackets

Driving
Mocs

Jeans & Flannel Shirts

Kenetrek

Hunting & Hiking

Boots

180 Hwy. 20 South 864-3047