Rock Springs local news summary
Week of October 10 2025
Proposed pay raise for city council tabled after opposition
Ordinance mandating alcohol server training advances, concerns raised over capacity
City awards $1.1 million concrete contract to lone bidder
Out-of-state firm wins pavement contract as low bidder
Employee Christmas bonus fails in 3-2 vote
Commission approves over $2.7 million for hospital lab project
Specific purpose tax collections surge, talk of new ballot initiative begins
Proposed pay raise for city council tabled after opposition
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - An ordinance that would have increased the monthly salary for city council members was tabled Tuesday night following a motion from Councilor Jeannie Demas. Demas argued that considering a pay raise for the council would be in “poor taste,” especially after the council had just approved changes to the health insurance plan that included premium increases for city employees. The motion to table the ordinance for future consideration passed 8-1.
Ordinance mandating alcohol server training advances, concerns raised over capacity
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - A proposed city ordinance that would require training for all individuals serving alcohol, including volunteers at special events, passed its second of three readings Tuesday. While the council discussed the intent to reduce overserving, Police Chief Bill Erspamer raised concerns about his department’s limited capacity to provide the required training for a larger pool of servers. Council members noted that online training options are available but acknowledged the potential burden on volunteers and small businesses. The ordinance will face a final vote at a future meeting.
City awards $1.1 million concrete contract to lone bidder
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - The city council unanimously approved a contract worth $1,125,800 with DeBernardi Construction Company, Inc. for the 2025 concrete replacement program. City officials noted that DeBernardi was the only company to submit a bid for the project. Despite the lack of competing bids, the offered price was considered reasonable as it was close to the city engineer’s estimate. The program will fund concrete repairs and replacements throughout Rock Springs.
Out-of-state firm wins pavement contract as low bidder
ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. - Meadowlark Asphalt Maintenance, LLC, an out-of-state company, was awarded a $67,571.75 contract for the city’s 2025 crack seal project. City staff informed the council that four bids were received for the road maintenance work. Even after applying the legally mandated 5 percent preference for local bidders, Meadowlark’s bid remained the lowest and was under the engineer’s estimate, prompting staff to recommend approval.
Employee Christmas bonus fails in 3-2 vote
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — A motion to provide a $250 Christmas bonus to county employees failed in a 3-2 vote at the Sweetwater County Commission meeting Tuesday, following a debate over fiscal responsibility. Commissioner Island Richards proposed the bonus, estimated to cost about $60,500, arguing it was a way to show appreciation for employees. He was supported by Commissioner Mary Thoman. However, Chairman Keaton West, along with Commissioners Taylor Jones and Robb Slaughter, voted against the measure. They cited the recent and difficult budget cuts made to outside agencies, stating that awarding a bonus would send the wrong message. The commission did unanimously approve giving employees a paid holiday on Dec. 24.
Commission approves over $2.7 million for hospital lab project
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — Commissioners unanimously approved a budget amendment Tuesday to authorize the use of $2,744,950 for the ongoing Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County lab project. The funds, which were previously awarded in 2023 and held in reserves, were moved into the hospital’s operational budget to allow for project expenditures. Commissioner Taylor Jones noted that he had confirmed the project remains on budget, a fact he called “good to hear and definitely rare.”
Specific purpose tax collections surge, talk of new ballot initiative begins
SWEETWATER COUNTY, Wyo. — The county’s specific purpose tax collected $1,973,275 in the last month, a significant increase of over $700,000 from the prior month. Commissioner Robb Slaughter, reporting from the tax’s joint powers board meeting, said collections have now reached $42.8 million, or 53.1 percent of the total goal. With collections ahead of schedule, the board has begun discussions about preparing a list of projects for a potential new specific purpose tax initiative. The board is exploring placing a new initiative on the ballot before the current one is fully collected to avoid a lapse in the tax.
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