Basin anticipates rate increases from water and power suppliers

On Feb. 26 the Basin Town Council held their regular second meeting of the month. Mayor CJ Duncan discussed possible rate increases to water during his Big Horn Regional Joint Powers update. He explained they are still working on some projects. One project in Lucerne has been put on hold because there is no funding at this point. All the legwork and most of the engineering has been done for this project. Those have been prepaid for, so it is project ready when funding becomes available.  

Because of the other projects of the Joint Powers Board, “there will be an anticipated price increase and then discussion of an additional price increase just because of inflation. When those numbers are finalized, they will be pushed out to the communities. That will increase water rates from Lucerne to Kirby to Worland, two districts around Worland, Manderson, Basin. It will also go to South Big Horn Joint Powers Board,” Duncan reported. The town rents space on their water line so there could be a fairly big increase to the town of Basin, Greybull, Burlington and the rural areas. 

Audience member and town resident Peggy Danna asked if the increase was for water usage and/or the meters as well. Duncan replied that it will be an Equivalent Dwelling Usage increase. It will increase the base fee, and usage may or may not. 

Later in the meeting, Duncan informed the council that the town had been notified by their power supplier there was a rate increase forthcoming for the town. The town does not know yet what the increase will be. He continued that some of the increases are out of the town’s control. 

“While we should do everything we can possibly do to keep the rates as low as we possibly can, the town of Basin also has to progress. We’re all in Basin too and don’t want to pay more than we absolutely have to. Back to the same conversation we had two weeks ago about taxes. What do you want to give up? It is extremely frustrating for us as well,” Duncan said.  

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Councilwoman Linda Weeks noted the town beautification committee will be meeting soon to plan for spring and summer. 

“We did get a partial grant for the mural,” she reported.

The committee will be seeking donations to help with the match. She has met with the company that is doing the vinyl of the artist’s rendering of the mural. The original work on canvas will be auctioned off later on. Prints may also be available.  She is hopeful the mural will be up by summer. Weeks is also working on two grants; one for the walking path and one for the dog park. 

Weeks discussed the activities committee. One topic was about the annual town clean up in April.  She proposed that instead of doing the traditional clean-up day with dumpsters at the fairgrounds, instead the town give out free vouchers for the landfill.  Both Mayor CJ Duncan and Councilman Mike Dellos liked the idea. Weeks said she would work on it more with the committee. 

 For the Rec District update, Weeks explained that new membership forms/fees will soon be distributed. The board is working on getting another part-time person. There is also work on the pool happening. 

Dellos said there was nothing to report from the P & Z board. Town Foreman Tony Harrison gave an update from the South Big Horn County Joint Powers Board. He noted that Manderson has two seats open on the board. One of the board members passed away so the mayor of Manderson will have to appoint a new member. He believes the board will have to do some budget amendments. 

SALE OF FORMER TOWN HALL 

Duncan added a topic to the agenda: The appraisal of the former town hall building was $230,000 for replacement and $190,000 as a sale price. He asked for discussion among the council. Town Attorney Ken Richins explained, “There are two ways we can sell it. One would be the bidding process, which is what we usually do. We could also go through the economic development exception. Which means if we have a business that can say they can come in and create a business. They need to have a plan, employees, purchase materials, boom on the economy…we could possibly sell it that way.” 

Weeks said she would prefer the second way. Dellos stated he thought it was a good idea to have the entire council as a part of the discussion. (Councilmen Chuck Hopkin and Brent Godfrey were not in attendance for this meeting.) Dellos continue that there needs to be discussion about where to house the equipment that is currently stored in the shop attached to the building. The discussion was tabled until their meeting March 12. 

ADDITIONAL BUSINESS 

• A representative from U.S. Representative Hageman’s office stopped by to encourage the town of Basin to fill out an application packet for Community Project Funding. Town Administrator Deaun Tigner said she thought it might be a good fit for the sewer project. Audience member Bill Everheart said that would be a good idea because the State Revolving Loan Fund is going away. Tigner said she didn’t believe it was. 

A phone call was made to Shawn King, State Revolving Fund Financial Manager, by the paper to verify this information. King said the fund is not going away, they have substantial funds available and encourage qualified entities to apply. 

A motion was made and approved for Tigner to pursue the Community Project Funding grant. 

• Budget meeting dates were established. Those dates are March 12, 7 p.m., March 17, 5 p.m., April 7, 5 p.m. and April 21, 5 p.m. The regular council meeting scheduled for April 26 will be April 21 at 7 p.m. 

• James Riley, CPA, who the town has contracted to do the audits, is retiring. The town is in search of a new auditor. 

• No sewer update at this meeting. Everheart asked the council why the sewer is red. He asked if it was an algae bloom. Duncan replied that it must be due to temperature change. (Harrison noted on a follow up that the pond is not red). 

• The budget amendment Resolution 2026-1 was read by Duncan. The authorization is for transferring funds from the original community center fund back to the street project fund. The motion died and was tabled for further discussion at the March 12 meeting. 

• An executive session was called for to discuss potential litigation.