Kemmerer local news summary

Old town hall rental rates to be overhauled

City establishes reserve fund with $63,614 in street department savings

City to assert position on TerraPower impact fund distribution

Council explores ‘winter wonderland’ vision for golf course

County outlines plans for nation’s 250th anniversary celebration

Old town hall rental rates to be overhauled

KEMMERER, Wyo. - The City Council has directed staff to move away from its long-standing “business incubator” rental model for the Old Town Hall and establish a single, consistent market rate for all tenants. The decision followed a market analysis showing the city’s current tiered system, which offers lower rates for new businesses, significantly undercuts the local average. Council members agreed the original intent of incubating start-ups has shifted, with most current tenants being well-established businesses. For the four tenants with leases up for renewal in the coming weeks, the council agreed to honor their expected next step in the tiered rate system but will serve notice that all future renewals will be subject to a new, standardized rate to be set by resolution in the coming months.

City establishes reserve fund with $63,614 in street department savings

KEMMERER, Wyo. - The City Council unanimously passed a resolution to create a new dedicated reserve fund for future street maintenance, transferring $63,614 in unspent funds from the Street Department’s fiscal year 2024-25 budget. The move, initiated by Councilmember Brantley Popp, is intended to create a long-term savings plan for tackling large-scale road repair and infrastructure projects that cannot be covered by the annual budget. The funds in the new reserve can only be used for street maintenance, repairs or improvements. Staff will bring back a future resolution to establish more specific guidelines for how the money can be spent.

City to assert position on TerraPower impact fund distribution

KEMMERER, Wyo. - The City Council directed the mayor and staff to formally request its share of TerraPower industrial siting impact funds from Lincoln County without submitting detailed, line-item invoices. The county, which holds the funds, had asked the city to submit specific vouchers for reimbursement. Citing state statute, the council’s motion asserts the city’s right to the funds for “unmitigated impacts” based on the distribution percentage established by the Industrial Siting Council. The move is intended to streamline the city’s access to the funds and reduce the administrative burden of a voucher-based system.

Council explores ‘winter wonderland’ vision for golf course

KEMMERER, Wyo. - The City Council on Monday heard a detailed proposal to transform Fossil Island Golf Club into a year-round “winter sports complex,” an idea that generated both excitement for the community and questions about funding. Resident Adam Calkins, accompanied by youth hockey players, presented a vision that includes a public ice rink on the golf course pond for hockey and free skating, groomed cross-country ski trails and a snowshoeing area. A key component of the proposal involves keeping the clubhouse open through the winter to serve as a warming house and social hub, a move that staff estimated could cost over $14,000 in wages alone for a six-month period, not including heating costs. While the council expressed strong support for the concept, concerns were raised about the budget, the need for additional hockey safety equipment and the condition of the clubhouse.

County outlines plans for nation’s 250th anniversary celebration

KEMMERER, Wyo. - Lincoln County is planning a historical scavenger hunt and commemorative challenge coin as part of its celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, or semi-quincentennial, in 2026. Jon King, representing the county’s planning committee, presented the plans to the council and encouraged the city to apply for a portion of the $2 million in state grant funding available for local celebrations. The county plans to produce 2,000 coins and has invited Kemmerer and other municipalities to design the reverse side for a collaborative coin set. The city has until Dec. 31 to apply for a grant of up to $25,000 to fund its own celebratory events.

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