Riverton council approves claims, accepts SLIB rate reduction and funds airport‑road design work; receives quarterly fiscal update

The Riverton City Council on Feb. 11 approved routine claims and several finance actions and heard an extended fiscal health report from Administrative Services Director Ms. Harris.

Claims and consent items: The council approved consideration of claims to be paid — $113,475.08 in claims plus payroll and liabilities of $500,201.88 for a total of $613,676.96 — on a motion by Councilwoman Karen Johnson and a second by Councilwoman Rebecca Pearson Lewis. The motion passed by voice vote.

SLIB loan amendment: The council approved Amendment No. 1 to State Loan and Investment Board (SLIB) Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan number 019, reducing the loan's interest rate to 1.5 percent. Ms. Harris said the amendment lowers the interest on one note with an estimated savings of about $3,000 on that particular loan; she noted the amendment does not change the loan term or repayment schedule. SLIB representatives indicated additional loan amendments for other city loans will follow.

Airport Road contract amendment: The council approved a $55,500 contract amendment with Inberg‑Miller Engineers to complete additional Airport Road design work, including right‑of‑way exhibits and preliminary design to extend existing plans beyond Job Corps. Public works staff said right‑of‑way acquisition has been a primary obstacle to advancing the project; the additional design work and right‑of‑way documentation will improve competitiveness for future grant funding.

Fiscal health report: Ms. Harris delivered the city's quarterly fiscal health update covering July 1–Dec. 31, 2024. Key points: - The FY‑25 budget totals $36.99 million; capital expenditures budgeted about $18.7 million, of which roughly 64.6% is supported by grant funding (up from 57% the prior year). - At midyear the general fund had revenues exceeding expenditures by $200,498. Sales and use tax receipts and property‑tax collections were modestly above projections; historic horse‑racing receipts and higher interest income contributed positive variance. - The airport fund closed the quarter with a $140,990 positive balance driven in part by grant reimbursements carried into the fiscal year. - The water fund closed the quarter with $76,107 positive; the wastewater fund showed a midyear deficit of $266,783 (Ms. Harris noted subsequent grant reimbursements improve that position). Planned capital projects this year include meter replacements, tank rehabilitation, lift‑station upgrades and equipment purchases.

Why it matters: The combination of grant funding and careful budgeting supports Riverton’s capital program but requires close monitoring of reimbursements and planned cash transfers. Council members discussed prioritization of TAD (lodging tax) recommendations and the importance of detailed project plans to attract state and federal grants.

Council action: The claims approval, the SLIB loan amendment, and the Inberg‑Miller contract amendment were all approved by the council during the meeting. Ms. Harris said staff will correct minor administrative labeling issues on the loan amendment paperwork as requested by SLIB.

What’s next: Staff will finalize contract documents for Airport Road design work and return information about SLIB amendments as additional paperwork arrives. The council will receive continued quarterly fiscal updates and will review grant‑dependent capital project decisions during the budget process.