Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Sheridan public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
50 issues with medium priority
Asphalt recycling trailer purchase
A $95,651 trailer-mounted recycler would let street crews turn reclaimed millings into hot patch mix on-site, making permanent pothole and utility-cut repairs possible even in freezing weather. It also avoids firing up the main plant for tiny batches.
Sheridan Area Water System agreement changes
Public hearings on changes to the water system's operating and ownership agreements start November 18 at 9 a.m. in Council Chambers — the chance to weigh in if you care about water governance.
Sheridan Recreation District Rules and Regulations
The rec district's updated rules hit a snag over whether the board can remove appointed members and how payments must be signed off. Approval is postponed to December while the legal questions get sorted out.
Quarterly payments to Sheridan Recreation District
The city pays the Sheridan Recreation District quarterly as part of a contractual obligation — this round covered July and October, totaling $172,920. These dollars support local recreation programs and facilities residents use.
Work Street bridge replacement traffic impacts
The WYDOT Work Street bridge replacement starts next week, with months of changed traffic patterns through July. Council Member Brantz raised resident concerns about backups if drivers shift to Park Street, and staff agreed to evaluate a possible no-left-turn restriction there.
Second quarter budget update
The city's first-ever quarterly budget review showed revenues and spending tracking right on pace with prior years, with police vehicles purchased early in the year and public benefit fund revenues behind pace but expected to catch up.
Traffic concerns at Brundage Avenue and Sheridan Avenue
Resident Thomas Jones asked the council to consider a four-way stop at Brundage and Sheridan Avenue near the M&M Center, saying the approved Scott Street stop will just push more traffic onto Sheridan Avenue. Staff will review traffic counts and accident data.
Data center policy for Sheridan
Resident Sam Grover urged the council to start drafting a policy, possibly a moratorium, on data centers, citing water use, energy bills, noise and pollution problems in Cheyenne and elsewhere. The mayor noted no one has approached the city and the city proper likely lacks a suitable site.
Rezone of Yellowtail Drive corridor land from education/residential to business zoning
A 26-acre lot originally zoned for a Native American education campus that never got built could become a church site. The business zoning also keeps the parcel flexible if the church project falls through, matching the light-industrial growth along Yellowtail Drive.
5th and Main Curb Reconstruction
The tight curb radius at 5th and Main has trucks bumping or even jumping the curb and driving over the ADA ramp. A $73,637.50 contract with SSR Construction will widen the radius to 44 feet this fall, funded by the extra penny sales tax.
20 mph school zone beacon on Midland
Residents asked whether growth on the west side warrants a traffic light and pressed for a safe crossing so kids can reach Hill Pond and school. A signal warrant study is in draft, staff said it's not yet warranted, and the city recently made Midland a school zone.
Municipal Court Prosecuting Attorney Services
Municipal prosecutor Zach Leininger asked to switch from hourly billing to a flat $5,500 monthly fee — slightly less than his ~$5,600 monthly average — with penalties for missed court dates. Council members liked the predictability and want to keep him.
2026 Crushing Project — Recycled Aggregate Saves $119,000
Instead of paying about $183,000 to buy crushed aggregate, the city spends $64,125 crushing its own stockpiled concrete and asphalt at the landfill — roughly a third of the cost, funded by the optional one-cent tax.
Cloud Peak Ranch 15-A rezone
Nine-forty Cubby Run Road is now rezoned so the owner can run an outdoor storage yard for boats and RVs, with possible indoor storage later. The neighbor next door is fine with it since it's the same owner as the existing storage facility nearby.
Alison Minor 2 Subdivision
A lot split at First Avenue West and Wetlands Drive clears the way for two future multifamily lots. One resident asked how parking would be handled, but plans aren't set yet — access details get worked out at building permit.
Food insecurity in Sheridan County
Food Bank of Wyoming says more than 15.5% of Sheridan County — nearly 5,000 people — face food insecurity, a ten-year high. The city proclaimed September as Hunger Action Month to rally support.
Police and Fleet Vehicle Purchases
Fire, landfill and streets departments are all running vehicles that are 18 to 21 years old — one with a rusted-out frame. New trucks cost $176,512 total.
Fire Prevention Week and lithium-ion battery safety
Fire Prevention Week runs Oct. 4-10 with a 'charge into fire safety' theme — think e-bikes, power tools, and phone chargers. The fire marshal warns cheap off-brand batteries are a real fire risk and recommends a station open house Oct. 10.
2026 Crushing Project at the Landfill
Instead of paying about $183,000 to buy crushed aggregate, the city spends $64,125 crushing its own stockpiled concrete and asphalt at the landfill — roughly a third of the cost, funded by the optional one-cent tax.
High Eagle Minor Subdivision Final Plat
The Council was scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider Resolution 17-26 approving the final plat of the High Eagle minor subdivision.
City Code Revisions (Ordinance No. 2302-26)
The city has issued special event permits for years without a written policy — meaning no leverage when applicants push back. This ordinance builds the framework into code and tightens mobile food vendor rules, including naming all vendors on event permits.
Doubleday Sports Complex funding and water rights
The community sports complex finally has kids on its first ball field, but needs $2-2.5 million to finish the first four fields after several grants dried up. Water rights and irrigation access still need formalizing.
Municipal court judge transition
Judge Kisling is heading to the district bench, leaving the city's municipal court without a primary judge as of September 14. Zach Leininger, already serving as the court's other judge since 2024, is the pick — but his move opens a hole in the prosecutor's office the city still has to fill.
Mobile vending report
The city's study found 29 mobile food vendors, nearly all local, properly licensed and fire-inspected, and concluded they add variety and healthy competition without hurting restaurants.
Fast-tracking repeat subdivision house plans
Council Member Jack Wood wants the city to fast-track permit approvals for builders reusing previously approved house plans, to cut costs and build homes faster.
North Park disc golf safety concerns
A resident's windshield was hit by a disc near the North Park course, which sits close to the parking lot and road. She asked the city to look at relocating holes; the mayor agreed to review with parks staff.
Flock surveillance cameras
Residents flooded the city with calls after a website listed alleged Flock license-plate cameras in Sheridan. Administrator McRae says the city and sheriff's office have none — some listings are just live-feed cameras like the one at Grinnell Plaza.
Planning commission quorum problems
Only three of seven commissioners made it Monday — one short of the four needed. Staff explained phone-in attendance counts toward quorum, and members were asked to confirm availability for the next meeting.
East Kooi Street Property Transfer
The county actually owns part of East Coy Street, which the city has been maintaining for years. Taking it over would clear the way for an MDU easement that EMIT Technologies needs for its expanding powder coating facility.
Pavement Condition Assessment
The city hasn't assessed its streets since 2019. A fresh survey of about 140 miles of roads will guide which streets get fixed next and feed the new Cartograph asset tracking system.
AEDs in downtown Sheridan
After a fatal medical emergency during Third Thursday, the city and Downtown Sheridan Association are looking at locations for AEDs compatible with EMS Lifepak units, roughly $2,000 each.
Toxic plant removed from Thornrider Park
Kids ingested toxic false indigo at Thornrider Park; Council Member Patceg asked for removal, and the city had already taken the plants out.
First Avenue East Subdivision (PL-26-10)
A one-acre lot near Coffeen Avenue and Brendage Lane is being split in two — the existing home stays, and the larger lot is slated for multifamily housing. It's infill development the city says fits its future land use map.
Planned Unit Development Rezone at 940 Covey Run Rd (PL-26-23)
A 3.4-acre site next to the existing Twin Buttes storage facility would be rezoned to a PUD allowing only outdoor boat, RV and vehicle storage — deliberately limiting uses that broader B-2 or M-1 zoning would allow. A nearby resident worried about visual blight and property values.
New Special Event Permitting Policy
The city has issued special event permits for years without a written policy — meaning no leverage when applicants push back. This ordinance builds the framework into code and tightens mobile food vendor rules, including naming all vendors on event permits.
FY27 Master Fee Schedule
The city now has one consolidated fee schedule it will refresh every fiscal year. The idea is that people requesting individualized services — permits, records, landfill use — pay for them instead of spreading the cost across all taxpayers.
Holly Ponds Park Maintenance
Ron Patterson, who built the park, offered $20,000 in matching funds for student-club cleanup work and pushed for non-motorized use of the bike trail and drainage fixes.
Municipal Pool Closure
The pool just opened and quickly closed due to plumbing backups; staff are working to reopen it as soon as possible.
City Fee Ordinance (No. 2301-26)
The ordinance itself just fixes how fees are referenced in city code and repeals two dead permit programs — downtown parking permits (never implemented) and local pawn/secondhand dealer permits. The actual dollar amounts arrive with the master fee schedule on June 22, with final action July 6. Dog license, shelter fees, planning fees and special event fees all live in that schedule.
Firefighter Union Contract
A new two-year deal with IAFF Local 276 gives firefighters a 48/96 schedule starting January 2027, raises of 1.75%–2.25%, and more guaranteed vacation days.
Tax increment financing (TIF) overview
Staff presented how TIFs work under Wyoming's urban renewal law and whether they could help fund residential infrastructure. Council members debated whether 'underdeveloped' areas can qualify, or only blighted ones.
New restaurant liquor license for Olha's Market
Olha's Market on South Sheridan Avenue received the city's 17th restaurant liquor license, allowing alcohol service including on a fenced patio once built.
Capital projects: bridges, downtown restrooms, intersections
Staff is pivoting bridge repair from Fifth Street to the Val Vista bridge, which has exposed rebar, using an estimated $4.5 million bridge repair program. Downtown restrooms will be built near 103 North Gould with cap tax funds, and the Bighorn Brundage intersection gets a $650,000 local match to start in about a year.
Utility rates and enterprise fund health
Water rates stay flat this year — no increase for the first time in the final year of the five-year plan — while sewer is proposed to rise 2.95% and solid waste 1.5%. The sewer fund is near its borrowing limit, and the solid waste fund dips into its balance to pay for landfill equipment.
New city positions and staffing
Staff wants to add two utility meter technicians, a senior accountant, and an IT position — the IT need was backed by every department head. Council discussed whether the accountant role is temporary and whether to fill positions permanently rather than promising short-term jobs.
Grand Central Station RV park phase two appearance
Several council members say the RV park on East 5th looks trashy — open garbage, no landscaping, lumber stacked around — as one of the first views of Sheridan from the interstate. Staff can't force phase one fixes directly but has tied final approval of phase two to meeting entryway corridor landscaping requirements.
Raw Water Service Agreement with Mullinax Inc.
The city discussed a raw water service agreement with Mullinax Inc., which could shape how raw water is supplied and billed. Details would need formal approval at a regular meeting before taking effect.
Third-quarter budget status
Sales tax is running above the past six years and spending is on track, though loan-funded enterprise funds look artificially low because reimbursements arrive only as money is spent. A resident flagged possible overtaxation and wants to dig deeper.
Refuse collection on private townhome lanes
The city is canceling a $480,000 dual-arm recycling truck in favor of a second single-arm truck at $450,000, saving about $30,000. Alley customers may notice trucks having to turn around to collect both sides, but staff said route efficiency impact is minor.
Wire-transfer scam targeting city permitting customers
Scammers are sending realistic-looking fake city invoices asking for wire-transfer payments, apparently using names pulled from public notices. The city will never request wire transfers by email.