RS City Council prioritizes projects for upcoming Specific Purpose Tax Initiative

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February 17, 2022 — During a special Rock Springs City Council meeting held Wednesday evening, February 16, 2022, council members prioritized projects from most needed to least needed for a Special Projects budget to be presented to the Sweetwater Board of County Commissioners.

After each council member that attended and Mayor Tim Kaumo placed their vote, Councilmember David Halter announced what projects they deemed most important and what should pass during the ballot and the community. Out of the nineteen plus projects that were announced, the council members were able to bring up the top five that would be most beneficial to the community and their needs.

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The top five projects as seen by Rock Springs City Council members:

  • 1. A tie betweeen Odor Control/Northeast Rock Springs Detention Basin and Water Reclamation Facility
  • 3. Killpecker Creek Detention Basin
  • 4. Parks and Recreation Projects with the Gateway Improvement Project
  • 5. Wind River Tank and Transmission Water System

With these five projects, they are looking at about $39 million to go forward with these projects.

After further discussion, the council announced consideration towards other projects such as 1st Security Bank (Phase 2) building renovation and the Bitter Creek Project (Phase 2). Mayor Kaumo talked about how flood control and infrastructure would be top of the list of the four different categories. The other two categories include Parks and Recreation/Beautification and Police/Fire.

Councilmember Tim Robinson brought up in the meeting that, “The Sweetwater County Commissioners are looking at about an $80-90 million cap” while everyone agreed into looking at a 4-5 year limit. Another discussion they are hoping to bring forward is the combination of projects between Green River and Rock Springs. For example, the council brought up road projects. Would that be separate from the two cities or should the projects be combined into one?

While talking about the survey that will be presented to the public, Mayor Kaumo asked, “Is there anyone here from the general public that is not from the media? For the record, not one person other than the press came to this special meeting to have input on the special purpose tax. That being said, we have to rely on the experience from our departments and what they hear from their patrons.”

Mayor Kaumo encourages the community to come to these events and express what they feel the community needs. He also stated he welcomes input on items that the council may have overlooked.

Once the list is finalized, the list will be presented to the Sweetwater County Commissioners.

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