Cody council approves budget amendment, advances open-container ordinance on first reading

The City of Cody City Council on Sept. 2 approved a resolution amending the city's fiscal year 2025-26 budget and advanced an ordinance updating local open-container rules to align with state law.

The budget amendment, introduced by staff member Leslie Brumage, adds $2,906,554 in revenue adjustments and $3,355,923 in expenditure amendments, producing a net reduction to citywide cash of $449,369. "This amendment, still keeps the city within the minimum reserves required by the council in each fund and provides a little excess and unassigned balances," Brumage said during the meeting.

Why it matters: The change alters the city's adopted spending and revenue plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year while, according to staff, maintaining required reserve levels. The ordinance on open containers is a first reading and would more closely mirror state statute as currently written, a step staff said clarifies enforcement authority.

Council action and key votes

- Resolution 2025-13 (budget amendment): Moved by Council Member Sweat; seconded by Council Member Tamplin. The council voted to approve the resolution; the motion carried. The meeting record shows the motion moved, seconded and the mayor calling for the vote with "Aye"; an explicit roll-call tally was not read into the record.

- Ordinance 2025-23 (first reading; open-container rules): Introduced by staff member Tony Tulstead. Moved by Council Member Centenary; seconded by Council Member Lang. The motion to approve the ordinance on first reading carried.

Both items were reviewed previously at a work session, and council members did not pose additional questions during the meeting before voting.

Other official business

- Consent Calendar: Council Member MacIsaac moved to approve the consent calendar; Council Member Shreve seconded. The mayor called for the vote and the motion carried.

- Staff operations notice: A city staff member, Scott, reported that sewer work had damaged an electrical box and that City Hall power would be shut down briefly the following morning to complete repairs. "We're gonna be dark for a few hours," Scott said, adding staff did not expect significant service impacts but that phone lines tied to City Hall (including lines to the recreation center) would be unavailable during the outage. Staff said they will post notices on the city's Facebook page and other outlets.

What council members said

Mayor Lee Ann Bridal read a proclamation recognizing Constitution Week; that ceremonial item was presented but did not require council action. Council Member Shreve thanked the Cody Police Department for added patrols around schools and noted positive media coverage. Council Member Lang encouraged attendance at a local theater production; these remarks were brief and not part of the council's formal actions.

What happens next

- The budget amendment takes effect as adopted by resolution at the Sept. 2 meeting.

- Ordinance 2025-23 advanced on first reading; it will return for subsequent readings as required by the city's ordinance-adoption process.

Council adjourned after completing the evening's business.