Lincoln County approves master-plan consultant and hears economic-diversification presentations

Lincoln County commissioners approved an agreement to retain Sunrise Engineering as a consultant to develop a county master plan and heard presentations on economic diversification for Kemmerer and the county.

The agreement with Sunrise Engineering was moved by Commissioner Connelly and adopted as part of the consent agenda. Mary Crosby, the county grant coordinator, told the board that the agreement has been approved by the EDA and has been forwarded to the County Attorney for review. "It has been approved by EDA and sent to the County Attorney for approval as well," Crosby said.

Why it matters: the master plan is intended to guide long-term infrastructure and economic decisions across Lincoln County, including how to sequence investments so the county can scale services as population and economic activity change.

At the same time, Brad Barham and Ed Ekstrom of Evaunt Management summarized a recent meeting with the Kemmerer Joint Powers Board and the deliverables they expect. Ekstrom said the parties' "goals are shared and in alignment" and suggested the work could serve as a playbook for other county communities. County Treasurer Jerry Greenfield urged a measured approach: he said the county should make necessary changes now but avoid overbuilding, scaling up as population increases.

Crosby also reported that Keller Associates had presented 10 possible scenarios for the project; some scenarios produce what she described as a higher, roughly $50 million cost, and she said more tools and a different approach are needed to avoid premature overbuilding. Commissioner Connelly emphasized water and sewer needs in north Lincoln County and said a full water study should be funded. When Commissioner Hansen asked whether an RFP would be required at the county level or for use of ARPA funds, Crosby and Greenfield said there is no RFP requirement for the use of the ARPA funds in this instance.

What happens next: the Sunrise Engineering agreement, approved by motion, proceeds pending the County Attorney's approval; the board directed staff to continue planning work and to return cost and scope details for further consideration.

Attributions: Commissioner Connelly moved the Sunrise Engineering agreement; Mary Crosby presented the agreement and Keller Associates' scenarios; Brad Barham and Ed Ekstrom presented for Evaunt Management; Jerry Greenfield commented on scaling and timing.