Cody City Council renews 21 liquor licenses and approves fiscal budget for 2025-2026

The Cody City Council convened on June 17, 2025, to address several key issues impacting the community, including the renewal of liquor licenses and the approval of the fiscal year 2025-2026 budget. The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silence, followed by a roll call confirming all council members were present.

One of the primary agenda items was the consent calendar, which included the approval of vouchers and payroll. Council Member Shreve proposed an amendment to include an additional bill from Terex USA LLC, raising the total voucher amount to over $1.8 million. The council unanimously approved the consent calendar with this modification.

Public comments were welcomed, leading to a public hearing on the renewal of various liquor licenses for the upcoming year. The city plans to renew 21 retail liquor licenses, one commercial airport retail license, and several others, with no public objections noted. City staff confirmed that all applications were complete and had been submitted to the state liquor division without issues.

The council also held a public hearing regarding the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. The city anticipates $43.98 million in revenue, a slight decrease from the previous year, while expenditures are projected to decrease by over $5 million. Despite a noted budget deficit, city officials clarified that the budget remains structurally balanced due to strategic use of reserves for non-recurring expenses. The council approved the budget after a thorough discussion.

Additionally, the council addressed the property tax levy for the upcoming fiscal year, confirming the maximum allowable levy of eight mills, with three mills allocated to the fire district. This decision comes in light of a 25% decrease in property tax assessments, which resulted in a net revenue decrease of approximately 16%.

The meeting concluded with the approval of a resolution amending the current fiscal year's budget, which included adjustments for various expenses and the use of reserves to cover a funding gap.

Overall, the council's decisions reflect ongoing efforts to manage the city's finances responsibly while addressing community needs, particularly in the areas of public safety and local business support. The next steps will involve monitoring the implementation of the approved budget and ensuring compliance with state regulations regarding liquor licensing.