TORRINGTON – There was a bit of good news during the Torrington City Council meeting Tuesday night.
Clerk/treasurer Lynette Strecker reported the city had received more than $500,000 in unexpected revenues in direct distribution from the state. The direct distribution is a revenue source the state has always provided, and it usually comes in two payments during the fiscal year.
The city received the second distribution a few weeks ago, but because of the financial uncertainty the state has faced the last few years, the council did not budget for the second payment during FY 2016-17, creating a $500,000 “windfall.”
Rather than amend its 2016-17 budget to account for the $500,000, the city council chose to earmark $78,393.07 for this year and hold the remaining amount to use in the 2017-18 budget. Of the amount amended for this year’s budget, the majority went to the general fund, with $45,000 going to the street department, $13,000 for the police department and $10,000 for scenic byways. The remaining amount, $10,392.07, was allocated for a 0.5 percent cost of living adjustment wage increase. Allocation of the remaining $400,000 will be determined during the council’s discussions on the 2017-
18 budget.

In other business:
n According to the cash balance report Strecker presented to the council, the city remains in a favorable cash position with more than $5 million in unappropriated cash reserves, with net operating revenues of $877,421.79 as of Dec. 31, 2016.
n The council approved a resolution authorizing the submission of a federal mineral royalty capital construction grant application requesting $990,000 to assist in funding the replacement and repair of the city’s wastewater head works and lift station facility.
n In a related action, the council approved a resolution authorizing the incurrence of a $1 million USDA Rural Development loan to repair the wastewater treatment finishing pond dikes.
n The second reading of an ordinance to create a power cost adjustment factor was approved as was the second reading of the ordinance establishing service fees and rules at the city’s new recycling service.
n A contract for $37,500 was awarded to Simon Contractors of Laramie for a crack fill project that will take place from 30th Avenue south to 25th Avenue. Also awarded was a $112,500 contract to Topkote Inc. of Yankton, S.D., for chip seal replacement and other street improvements that is scheduled to take place in the Vistas, east of Eastern Wyoming College.
n The council approved to amend the golf course budget in the amount of $23,000 to advance FY18 cart path construction funds to this year for path construction near holes 10 and 11 in anticipation of spring flooding.