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JULY 23, 2025 |

Photo – Seal of Carbon County – Bigfoot99 file photo

County officials have released the 2025 through 2026 budget, showing how much property tax relief measures have affected the county’s finances.

In March, the Wyoming State Legislature approved a series of relief bills designed to help residents offset their rising property taxes, which were mainly driven by population growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, every Wyoming homeowner will see a 25% reduction on their property tax bills for the first $1 million of assessed value on residential properties. Additionally, seniors aged 65 and older who have lived in their homes for the past 25 years are also eligible for a 50% reduction in assessed property value.

Speaking at the June 17th Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones criticized the state legislature for voting to reduce residential property taxes. Commissioner Jones said without that tax revenue, local governments will struggle to fund necessary services, such as libraries and senior centers.

Despite the objections of the Carbon County Commissioners, the state tax relief measures passed. Altogether, the programs have cost Carbon County an estimated $500,000 in lost property tax revenue. The shortfall has forced the Board of County Commissioners to scale back funding for outside services.

The Carbon County Library System’s budget was cut by more than half. At the July 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Carbon County Library System Board of Directors member Adelaide Myers explained that the library’s budget was reduced signifyingly more than anticipated.

The Carbon County Library System saw a 53% reduction in revenue this fiscal year, dropping from $350,964 in 2024 to $164,452. Under Wyoming law, each county is only required to fund a single public library in its county seat, such as Rawlins. Facing a $186,512 budget shortfall, Library Board members are warning residents to expect shorter hours and potential branch closures.

Nearly all outside agencies faced substantial budget cuts this fiscal year. For example, the Carbon County Museum Board saw a 56% cut, going from $227,940 in 2024 to $100,000. This fiscal year, the Rawlins Frontier Prison experienced the steepest budget cut among all county agencies, with a 69% drop from $32,550 to $10,000.

The Board of Carbon County Commissioners has directed all outside agencies to do more with fewer resources. Additionally, residents are being encouraged to donate their property tax savings to the public services they value, such as their local libraries.

The post County Officials Release 2025/2026 Budget first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 23, 2025 |

Photo – A backflow prevention valve – Courtesy citizeneffect.org

Rawlins officials continue to debate how to best help residents impacted by recurring sewer backups on the city’s west side.

At the June 17th Rawlins City Council meeting, resident Kendra Sisneros addressed the governing body about sewer issues on La Paloma Drive, located behind Memorial Hospital of Carbon County. Sisneros said a sewer backup in 2020 forced her to pay for costly repairs to her home’s sewer system. However, the problem persisted, with Sisneros reporting that sewer water from other residents has backed up into her basement at least 13 times over the past five years.

Sisneros said the repeated floods have begun to damage her home.

Public Works Director Cody Dill explained that the sewer pipes in the La Paloma neighborhood have settled over time, forming low spots known as bellies. When improperly disposed items, such as wet wipes, accumulate in those areas, they obstruct the flow of sewage and back up the entire system. Dill said that permanently fixing the issue will require a large-scale sewer line replacement project, which would cost roughly $3 million.

Instead, the City Council discussed installing sewer backflow preventers in the affected homes. A sewer backflow preventer is a plumbing device that automatically seals shut when it detects reverse pressure from the municipal system but allows sewage to flow normally out of a person’s house. Public Works Director Dill offered to obtain an estimate to purchase and install sewer backflow preventors in the neighborhood.

During the July 15th Rawlins City Council meeting. Councilman Derek Elliott asked when the city will fix the sewer issues on La Paloma Drive. Councilman Elliot explained that he reached out to a local plumbing contractor and received an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000 to reroute the sewer lines from La Paloma south to West Elm Street.

Councilman Elliot added that the project would be cheaper if handled by city employees rather than an outside contractor.

Public Works Director Dill said the plan has been considered in the past. However, rerouting hundreds of feet of sewer line through Tully Park would require special consideration.

Instead, Dill recommended installing backflow preventors. The Public Works Director added that nearly all sewer backups in the area are caused by improperly flushed items.

Again, Dill recommended installing backflow preventors in the affected homes. However, city ordinances prohibit offering the devices to only one household. Dill said that if the city paid to install backflow preventors at the Sisneros residence, it would be obligated to provide the same for all residents.

Councilman Derek Elliott said the city must do something to prevent the sewer system from backing into residents’ homes.

Councilman Steve Sanger said the city is unable to offer backflow preventors to a single resident. By law, the city must provide the devices to any residents who request them.

Councilman Elliot said the city should take responsibility for the sewer backups if they’re caused by neglect. Councilman Sanger explained that the problem stems from improperly disposed of items, not inadequate maintenance. Sanger added that the city is legally unable to help only the Sisneros family.

Councilman Terry Patterson asked Public Works Director Dill about the aforementioned bellies in the La Paloma Drive sewer lines. Dill explained that the dips are normal for the clay pipes used in the system. However, debris, such as rags, shirts, and towels, collect in those low spots and cause backups. After the city flushes the blockage out, all the accumulated sewer water quickly flows downhill, into the Sisneros home.

Dill reiterated that the pipes function properly until residents flush debris into the system, even with the low points.

Councilman Steve Sanger asked if the city’s utilities crews could flush the La Paloma sewer lines on a weekly basis, saying that it would prevent blockages from getting too large. Public Works Director Dill said his department does not have enough employees to conduct weekly cleanings and perform their other responsibilities. Dill said city crews are already called to work on the La Paloma system often.

Additionally, Dill said that flushing the sewer line when there is no blockage can cause water to flow into residents’ homes.

Mass Grading LLC owner Kelly Brandt recommended amending the city ordinance to require backflow preventors on all newly installed and repaired sewer lines. Mayor Jacquelin Wells said she would take Brandt’s suggestion into consideration. However, the governing body did not come to a consensus on how to best prevent the recurring sewer problems on La Paloma Drive during their July 15th meeting.

The post Rawlins Council Holds Another Discussion on La Paloma Sewer Problems first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 23, 2025 |

Photo – Secretary of State Chuck Gray – Bigfoot99 file photo

United States District Court Judge Scott Skavdahl, on Tuesday, dismissed a federal lawsuit filed by Equality State Policy Center handing Wyoming a big win in an election fraud case.

Democrat attorney Marc Elias, who operates at the national level, challenged Wyoming House Bill 156 and Secretary of State Chuck Gray over the legislation. The bill, as passed, requires proof of United States citizenship and proof of Wyoming residency to register to vote.

Secretary Gray described the court victory as a huge win for the people of Wyoming.

Grey described the lawsuit as an outrageous attempt by the radical Left to undermine the common-sense election integrity measures that Wyomingites want.

Grey described the court win as a huge victory for the people of Wyoming and for the truth. The Secretary of State also thanked the Trump Administration for its involvement and support in the case.

The law, which was enacted without the signature of Governor Mark Gordon, requires voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. Citizenship and residency to register to vote.

Elias, representing the Equality State Policy Center, argued that the law would impose unnecessary burdens on eligible voters, especially women, Hispanic, young, and low-income voters who may face challenges in obtaining acceptable documentation.

U.S. District Court Judge Skavdahl dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that the Equality State Policy Center lacked Article III standing to challenge HB 156.

The judge noted that even accepting the plaintiff’s allegations as true, they had not adequately demonstrated standing to sue on their own behalf or on behalf of others in the action.

The case was all hypothetical and the court dismissed it without prejudice.

The post Court Dismisses Case Challenging a Wyoming Election Law first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 22, 2025 |

Photo – Sky Crane drops load of Water on Ski Hill Fire – Courtesy US Forest Service

Fire crews have successfully contained the Ski Hill Fire.

On Saturday afternoon, a wildfire was spotted on Highway 130, near Ryan Park, in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. US Forest Service Public Affairs Officer Aaron Voos explained that a variety of federal, state, and local agencies teamed up to battle the blaze, called the Ski Hill Fire due to its proximity to a former ski slope.

Highway 130, between Green Rock and Highway 230, was closed while crews fought the flames.

As of Sunday afternoon, the Ski Hill Fire was fully contained. Located in a heavily wooded area, Voos said the fire could have been much worse.

Voos clarified that contained does not mean the fire is fully extinguished. Fire crews spent Sunday and Monday putting out smaller fires caused by the larger blaze.

Voos said the fire is expected to be fully extinguished before the end of the week. The U.S. Forest Service Public Affairs Officer added that the fire’s location near Highway 130, combined with the rapid response from local emergency crews, helped prevent the flames from spreading out of control.

Like the Beaver Dam and Taylor Draw Fires from earlier this month, Voos said the Ski Hill Fire was likely caused by a lightning strike. However, due to the intensity of the blaze, Voos said the exact cause is unknown at this time.

Voos thanked the multiple agencies that responded to the Ski Hill Fire, saying their support helped keep the blaze under control.

The post Update Given on Ski Hill Fire Near Ryan Park first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 22, 2025 |

Photo – Miracle Mile – Bigfoot99 file photo

Starting next year, anglers will be required to use barbless hooks while fishing in specific sections of the North Platte River.

Beginning on January 1st, 2026, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will institute new fishing statutes for four special regulation sections of the North Platte River, downstream of the Seminoe Reservoir. Game and Fish Public Information Officer Amanda Fry explained that the agency will prohibit barbed hooks and pegged attractors due to their potential to seriously harm the fish.

The four special regulation sections in question are the Miracle Mile, Cardwell, Afterbay, and Gray Reef, all of which are located in Natrona and Carbon Counties.

Additionally, Fry said studies indicate that barbed hooks are contributing to a decline in fish populations. As a result, the Wyoming Game and Fish Department will require anglers to exclusively use barbless hooks in those four areas. Fry explained that these less damaging hooks help prevent the fish from becoming too injured to reproduce.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department will not require anglers on other sections of the North Platte River to use barbless hooks. However, Fry said the agency is asking individuals in those areas to voluntarily switch to barbless hooks before the regulations go into effect. By protecting fish populations now, Fry said anglers are helping ensure the waters remain healthy and accessible for generations to come.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department defines pegged attractors as materials that are fished on a line or leader above a hook, in which the hook embeds outside the mouth of the fish. Game and Fish stated that these types of hooks contribute to cheek and mouth injuries and deformities in catch-and-release fisheries.

The Game and Fish Commission approved the pegged attractor ban during last week’s meeting in Casper. If Governor Mark Gordon signs the regulation, it will go into effect on January 1st, 2026.

The post Hook Regulations to Change for Specific Areas on North Platte River first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 22, 2025 |

Photo – Drawing of restrooms for Never Forget Park – Courtesy Town of Saratoga

After receiving higher-than-expected bids, the Saratoga governing body decided to delay plans to install restrooms at Never Forget Park.

For the past 17 years, the Town of Saratoga has been working to create a public green space to honor the life of Sergeant Tyler Pickett, who was killed in action on June 8th, 2008, while serving in Iraq. However, the project’s scope expanded over the years to include everyone those who gave their lives in service to others, including the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The project is now called Never Forget Park.

After numerous setbacks, construction officially began last fall with the installation of concrete curbs and gutters at the intersection of Pic Pike Road and East River Street. The next phase of the project is to install Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms.

During the May 20th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner presented the final Never Forget Park restroom design, created by Sheridan-based Evergreen Dwellings. Penner said the restrooms have been redesigned to increase the number of available stalls, including those that meet ADA guidelines.

The governing body authorized Penner to request contractor bids using Evergreen Dwellings’ design plans.

At the July 15th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner said he received three bids for the restrooms at Never Forget Park, all of which were higher than he anticipated. Penner recommended not awarding the contract to any of the companies at this time.

Shepard Construction, Western Plain Logistics, and Savery Creek Enterprises each submitted bids to construct the Never Forget Park restrooms. Penner said Shepard Construction’s offer was immediately rejected because it did not comply with the town’s bid requirements. Western Plain Logistics bid $480,000 for the project, while Savery Creek Enterprises submitted the lowest bid, at $358,212.50.

WLC Engineering, the company overseeing the entire Never Forget Park project, recommended awarding the contract to Savery Creek. However, Public Works Director Penner said the lowest bid was still too high. Penner said he and designers from Evergreen Dwellings worked to simplify the restrooms, making them less expensive to construct.

Penner recommended rejecting the restroom bids and issuing new requests for proposals in the fall, when contractors are expected to have lighter workloads and offer more competitive pricing. The Saratoga Town Council unanimously approved the plan. Penner will wait until fall to open bidding again for the Never Forget Park restrooms.

The post Saratoga Rejects Current Bids for Restroom Construction first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 22, 2025 |

Photo – Post announcing Free School Physicals – Courtesy imhcc.com

Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is once again offering free school physicals.

Continuing its longstanding tradition of giving back to the community, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is providing school students with no cost sports physicals this summer. Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle explained that, between tomorrow and August 12th, clinical staff will travel around the county administering free health screenings.

Additionally, to reach as many students as possible, Memorial Hospital will offer free school physicals on August 5th and 6th, during the Carbon County Fair. Hinkle explained that, while screenings were previously held in the hospital’s mobile clinic, the vehicle was sold last year and services will now be administered at Victory High School, just west of the fairgrounds.

All school physicals will take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on their respective nights. No appointments are necessary as services will be conducted on a first-come first-served basis. To maintain a manageable flow, Hinkle said no more than 50 students will be seen at each event.

During the Carbon County Fair, Memorial Hospital will limit school physicals to 40 students per day.

Hinkle said students under 18 will need written permission from a parent or guardian to receive a free sports physical. Additionally, students should bring and wear their corrective lenses. The Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer said attendees must complete a Wyoming High School Activities Association physical examination form before receiving a health screening, either during the event or by printing a copy from the organization’s website.

Hinkle said the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County school physicals are administered free of charge. All donations made during the event will be directed to the school district in which they were collected.

Hinkle said the free school physicals reflect Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s commitment the community.

Details about the school physicals, including dates, times, and locations, can be found on the Memorial Hospital of Carbon County Facebook page or at www.ihmcc.com under the Calendar on the home page. For more information, contact Memorial Hospital Chief Operating Officer Stephanie Hinkle at 324-8378.

The post MHCC Offers Free School Physicals During Fair first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 21, 2025 |

Photo – Rawlins Water Treatment Facility – Bigfoot99 file photo

Rawlins crews are operating under limited irrigation restrictions due to low water flow. However, city officials are confident that restarting the pretreatment plant will prevent the need to extend those restrictions to residents.

During the July 1st Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey announced that Sage Creek Springs, the city’s primary source of drinking water, is no longer producing enough to meet current demand.

City Manager Tom Sarvey said parks crews, who use approximately one million gallons of water per day to maintain the city’s green spaces and cemetery, will be asked to reduce their usage by half. Sarvey also announced that the pretreatment plant, which processes raw water from the North Platte River before it enters the main treatment facility, will be restarted to supply roughly one million additional gallons of water per day.

At the July 15th Rawlins City Council meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill updated the governing body on the state of the city’s water supply. Dill explained that irrigation restrictions, which are focused solely on outdoor watering, are different than broader water restrictions, which would limit the amount of water Rawlins’ residents could use from any source, including showers and the tap. The Public Works Director said only the city’s parks crews are currently subject to irrigation restrictions.

Dill said the city receives 2.6 million gallons of water daily, while usage fluctuates between 2.5 and 2.8 million gallons a day.

The Public Works Director reported that he was working to bring the pretreatment plant back online. Preliminary tests showed promising results.

Built in 2000, the pretreatment plant takes raw water from the North Platte River and removes the majority of particulates and debris before the water is sent to the treatment plant for further refinement.  Without the pretreatment plant, the raw river water would quickly clog the treatment plant filters. Although the facility is a quarter of a century old, it has seen little use since its construction.

Following the catastrophic water system failure in March 2022, which left many residents without water for nearly a week, city officials invested millions of dollars to bring the pretreatment plant back online. At the July 15th City Council meeting, Public Works Director Cody Dill reported that the facility is nearly fully operational. Dill said the plant can produce an additional 1 million gallons of water every day.

Dill said he anticipates lifting the city’s irrigation restrictions once the pretreatment plant is back online. As the summer progresses, the Public Works Director said he does not expect residents to face any watering limits. If further restrictions are needed, the Public Works Director said they will apply only to city parks crews, not residents.

The post Rawlins Public Works Operating Under Irrigation Restrictions first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 21, 2025 |

Photo – Property tax image – Bigfoot99 file photo

County officials continue to express dissatisfaction over reductions in property tax revenue.

In March, the Wyoming State Legislature passed several property tax relief bills. The measures were designed to help Wyoming residents offset property tax increases stemming from the population growth that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, all Wyoming homeowners will receive a 25% reduction on their property tax bills for the first $1 million of assessed property value. Additionally, residents over 65 years of age who have lived in their homes for the past 25 years are eligible to receive a 50% reduction in the assessed value of their property.

All the tax relief programs combined have resulted in Carbon County losing approximately $500,000 in property tax revenue. The lost income has caused the Board of County Commissioners to reduce funding for all county services. The Road and Bridge Department has been among the hardest hit, no longer able to afford to apply the dust-reduction chemical Magnesium Chloride to the county’s dirt roads. The Carbon County Library System has also suffered significant cuts, with its budget reduced by half.

At the July 14th Carbon County Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Sue Jones, arguably the county’s most vocal critic of the property tax relief programs, said state legislators justified the tax cuts by explaining that counties financially benefitted from the influx of new residents. Commissioner Jones acknowledged that counties saw revenue growth, but said it was mostly negated by soaring inflation rates.

During the COVID pandemic, the federal government pumped roughly $5 trillion into the economy through relief packages like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security, or CARES, Act and the American Rescue Plan. The surge in the money supply weakened the dollar’s value, contributing to widespread inflation.

Back at the July 14th meeting, Commissioner Jones said inflation erased any additional revenue the county gained from the COVID-era rise in home prices, a fact obvious to Wyoming residents.

The Wyoming State Legislature continues to press for more property tax relief. Casper Representative Steve Harshman has called for the complete elimination of residential property taxes. To make up the lost revenue, Representative Harshman has proposed the creation of a four to six percent state sales tax.

Casper Senator Bob Ide is pushing the matter further by proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish all property taxes in Wyoming, including residential, commercial, industrial, and personal property. Instead, Senator Ide recommended moving to a consumption-based tax system, such as an increased sales tax.

Regardless of what happens at the state level, county governments will bear the brunt of any changes to property taxes. Representatives from the Carbon County Library System have warned that branch closures may be imminent due to the reduced tax revenue. In response, county officials are urging residents to consider donating any property tax savings to the public services they value.

The post Legislature Continues to Press for More Property Tax Reductions first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.

JULY 18, 2025 |

Photo – Saratoga Library – Bigfoot99 file photo

The Town of Saratoga is moving ahead with plans to take ownership of the local library branch.

Due to property tax-related budget cuts, the Board of Carbon County Commissioners is asking towns to contribute more to their local libraries. As reported by Bigfoot99, the governing body of Saratoga has started talks with the county to take possession of its library branch, located at 503 West Elm Avenue.

During Tuesday’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Mayor Chuck Davis said he spoke to Commissioner Sue Jones, who informed him that the library sits on 1.2 acres of county-owned land.

If the deal is finalized, the town will receive the library building and the 1.2-acre property. Mayor Davis said he supports the plan, adding that annual operating costs for the library, including gas and internet, total nearly $4,300.

Mayor Davis said the Board of County Commissioners agreed to handle all legal paperwork for the exchange at no cost to the town.

The Mayor said Platte Valley residents may be more inclined to financially support the library if they know their contributions will go directly to the local branch.

Prompted by a question from a meeting attendee, Mayor Davis explained how the deal will work. The county-funded library system will continue to manage daily operations, while Saratoga will own the building and cover utility costs.

Mayor Davis added that in January of 2024, the Saratoga Library spent a combined $435 on electricity, gas, and trash service.

Mayor Davis said the extra acre of land included in the library deal will benefit the town. With that land, the Mayor said the town will own property from Elm Avenue south to Shively Field.

Additionally, Mayor Davis said the library building is in good condition, noting that a new roof was installed four years ago. However, the Mayor said he was willing to hire an inspector to ensure the structure does not have any hidden flaws.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to take ownership of the library, pending the outcome of a building inspection. No timeline was provided for when the inspection would take place.

The post Town of Saratoga Moves Forward to Obtain Local Library Building first appeared on Bigfoot 99 Radio.