Cheyenne finance committee backs FY2025 reappropriation and multiple procurement bids

The City of Cheyenne finance committee voted to recommend a second reappropriation of the FY2025 budget and to forward several procurement recommendations to the City Council for final action.

City Treasurer Robin Lachman presented the reappropriation request, saying the General Fund transfer includes a one-time employee payment “that totaled $1,130,143” and additional requests “totaling an additional $3,363,807,” covering items from pump-house design to a new gymnastics facility and a new boiler for Johnson Pool. Lachman also detailed non‑General Fund requests for land purchase and partial gym construction funding from dedicated funds.

The reappropriation matters because it shifts reserves and other fund balances to cover both operating and capital needs already identified by departments. Lachman told the committee the General Fund items include: the one‑time employee payment; $439,539 for pump house restoration design services; $2,073,049 toward a new gymnastics facility; $255,462 for railcar asbestos and lead abatement on 15th Street; $180,652 for concrete and sidewalk repairs on Bridal Avenue; $115,105 for drainage enhancements; $300,000 for a new boiler at Johnson Pool; $100,000 for overtime; $9,943 to supplement Cheyenne–Laramie County Emergency Management after grant cuts; and $50,000 for overtime tied to the Horse Palace off‑track betting facility (the latter recorded as revenue to cover the overtime). Lachman also requested $838,786 from Public Safety Infrastructure Fees and Development Impact Fees for land purchase on Powder House Road for a future Fire Station No. 6; $565,258 from the Real Property Revolving Fund and $339,438 from the ICE and Event Center Fund toward the gymnastics facility construction. “These funds were originally generated from the sale of the neighborhood facility back in 2020,” she said.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about specific revenue and fund sources. On the Horse Palace overtime item, Lachman said the city will bill the Horse Palace $50,000 to cover the overtime and that the Horse Palace revenue line has produced about $170,000 in billings this fiscal year. A committee member also noted the Horse Palace had donated three police dogs to the police department; Lachman confirmed that point.

The finance committee moved and seconded the budget reappropriation; the motion passed with committee voices recorded as "ayes" and no opposition noted in the transcript. The item will be presented to the full City Council at its Monday meeting for final action.

In separate agenda items, the committee recommended approval of several procurement actions:

- A human services contract between the City of Cheyenne and United Way of Laramie County for $100,000 from the optional 1% sales tax fund (2019–2022 overage funds) to support community agencies. Vicky Nemechek (Public Works) summarized that the Human Services Advisory Council approved the allocation and that page 8 of the contract lists the scope of work. Chris Whitfield, executive director of United Way, said the ASK (After School Kids) program operates primarily in elementary schools and currently has eight locations. A committee motion to approve was seconded and recorded as passing; the recommendation to the full council is to approve $100,000.

- Acceptance of a bid not to exceed $85,950 to Cheyenne Tile and Stone for full replacement of the Kiwanis Community House maple floor, funded by one‑time state distribution funds. Jason Sanchez (Community Recreation and Events) said the facility is about 23 years old and the replacement is grade No. 2 maple; he said the department expects another 25 years of service from the new floor. The committee moved, seconded and recorded the recommendation for Monday’s council meeting.

- Acceptance of a bid not to exceed $75,924 from Ken Garf (Cheyenne) for a 15,000 GVWR gasoline‑powered 4x4 regular‑cab chassis with 14‑foot stake bed for the Sanitation Division (Solid Waste Fund). Vicky Nemechek said the vehicle is a specialty container truck; the purchasing manager explained the bid solicitation was distributed through the city’s OpenGov bidding site and that only two dealers attended the mandatory pre‑bid meeting due to the specialty nature of the truck. The committee moved, seconded and recommended approval.

- Acceptance of a bid not to exceed $2,038,492 for one front‑load refuse truck and three dual‑arm automated refuse trucks (less trades) for the Sanitation Division. Nemechek said the existing front‑load truck was being replaced after it burned and that the dual‑arm trucks are replaced more frequently because each arm is used roughly 175,000 times per year. The committee moved, seconded and recommended approval.

- Acceptance of a bid not to exceed $275,968.22 from Ameritech Equipment Company for two solid‑waste walking‑floor transfer trailers (less one trade). Nemechek noted a 200‑day delivery for the trailers; the department plans to retain one trade‑in trailer if it remains serviceable and to auction surplus equipment if not needed. The committee moved, seconded and recommended approval.

All procurement recommendations were moved, seconded and recorded as passing by voice with no recorded opposition in the finance committee transcript. Each item will be forwarded as a recommendation to the City Council at its next meeting.

The finance committee adjourned after recommending these items to the Council.