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Wyoming council approves 2026 fee schedule and names Chicago County Press official newspaper
Summary
The Wyoming City Council on Jan. 6 approved an updated 2026 fee schedule that adds a lower-potency hemp-edible retailer registration, raises pavilion rental fees for residents to $45, and establishes a $500 application/escrow for appeals of the zoning administrator; the council also designated the Chicago County Press as the city's official newspaper for 2026.
The Wyoming City Council unanimously moved through several routine annual items on Jan. 6, approving an updated 2026 fee schedule and designating the Chicago County Press as the city's official newspaper.
City staff presented the fee changes. "The first item tonight is just the annual item where the city council designates an official newspaper for the city for the year 2026," Mr. McFarland said, and then reviewed the fee schedule updates. Major changes include adding a chapter 12 registration for lower-potency hemp edible retailers, updates to fire and police special-event fees, removal of fingerprinting and business fire-inspection fees, an inspection fee for right-of-way permits, updated water and surface-water rates and revised pavilion and field rental fees.
Council discussion focused on two items: a proposed $500 application fee to appeal the zoning administrator and the increase in resident pavilion rental from $3 to $45. Member Joerger asked, "Why do we need a fee for something that happens very, very rarely? Like the last time was 2012," and said he worried a fee could deter legitimate appeals. Staff replied that the fee reflects actual processing costs and that some cities treat the amount as an escrow that is later reconciled against attorney and staff time.
On pavilion fees, staff said the higher resident fee is intended to recover public-works time spent cleaning and preparing sites so reserved users receive a reliable service. Mr. Reeves noted most neighboring cities charge more than current rates.
Separately, the council approved a resolution authorizing electronic fund transfers and payments as a best practice recommended by the city auditor to allow timely payments such as bond transactions; transfers remain visible on the council's claims register.
All measures were approved in roll calls at the meeting; minutes record one opposing vote on the fee schedule and related annual items. The council did not pull any consent-agenda items for additional review.
Next steps: the fee schedule and newspaper designation take effect for city operations in 2026; administrators will return with implementing details as needed.
