Rock Springs local news summary

Police Chief Voices Concern Over Allowing Minors in Breweries

Council Debates Pay Reduction in Heated Exchange

Council Approves Grant Applications for Park and Trail Improvements

County Consolidates and Extends Wyoming Horse Racing Permits

County Approves Gravel Pit Expansion After Addressing Rancher Concerns

1. Police Chief Voices Concern Over Allowing Minors in Breweries

ROCK SPRINGS – The Rock Springs City Council held a second reading for ordinance 2025-10, a measure that would permit minors inside local microbreweries and taprooms. During the August 19, 2025 meeting, Police Chief Bill Erspamer expressed his opposition, cautioning that it could be a “slippery slope” and contribute to a culture where “alcohol is at the forefront of everything that we do”. While no action was taken, the discussion highlighted a division on the issue. Councilor Hickerson noted that Rock Springs is currently the only municipality in Wyoming that does not allow minors into such establishments, suggesting that less restrictive policies could potentially curb addictive behaviors later in life. The council will consider the ordinance for action at a future meeting.

2. Council Debates Pay Reduction in Heated Exchange

ROCK SPRINGS – A proposal to alter the compensation for Rock Springs City Council members sparked a contentious debate on August 19, 2025. The ordinance, 2025-09, aims to increase transparency by eliminating a supplemental cash payout that councilors could receive on top of their salary. An amendment was passed to ensure life insurance and retirement contributions would continue, but the core of the ordinance removes a $3,000 “Council Cashout” paid annually per member. Councilor Milonas strongly opposed the measure, calling it a pay cut and questioning its timing after the city budget had already been approved. Mayor Max Mickelson defended the change as a way to make council compensation clearer to the public, stating the current practice was “problematic” and “unclear”. The amendment to the ordinance passed with Councilor Milonas voting no.

3. Council Approves Grant Applications for Park and Trail Improvements

ROCK SPRINGS – The Rock Springs City Council unanimously approved requests from the Parks and Recreation Department to seek two separate grants for community improvements during its meeting on August 19, 2025. The first is a $70,000 grant application to the Wyoming Community Foundation (WYCF) to replace dated and vandalized playground equipment at Blairtown Park. The second approval was for a $50,000 grant application to the Wyoming State Trails Program, which would be used to “revitalize and improve recreational trails, trail head, or trail adjacent facilities”. Both motions passed without opposition.

4. County Consolidates and Extends Wyoming Horse Racing Permits

SWEETWATER COUNTY – On August 19, 2025, the Sweetwater County Commission approved a consolidated resolution for Wyoming Horse Racing LLC, allowing the company to move its Rock Springs off-track betting facility to a new, larger location and extending its local operating permits through December 31, 2029. The extension aligns the county’s approval with the company’s state gaming license, providing stability for its investment. The commission used the opportunity to clean up previous resolutions for both the Rock Springs and Green River facilities, adding a standard revocation clause that brings the terms in line with other horse racing operators in the county.

5. County Approves Gravel Pit Expansion After Addressing Rancher Concerns

SWEETWATER COUNTY – The Sweetwater County Commission on August 19, 2025, approved a zoning change to allow the expansion of the gravel pit near Wyoming Highway 372 from 40 acres to 160 acres. The approval came after Commissioner Thoman raised concerns on behalf of four area livestock operators, who have had issues with cattle wandering onto unfenced pits. The applicant, Clyde Companies, explained that the Wyoming Game and Fish Department had recommended against permanent fencing due to the area’s location in a pronghorn migration corridor. In response to the concerns, the company agreed to install electric fencing during the reclamation phase of the project to mitigate conflicts with livestock.

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