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Afton council renews employee insurance amid budget discussions; public works and police request funding
Summary
Council approved a one-year employee insurance renewal with a 6% premium increase (employer-paid) after a split vote, and heard reports about town building repairs, equipment replacement needs, a police vehicle request, spring clean-up policy changes, and the airport entitlement cost-share request.
The Afton Town Council on April 10 approved renewing employees’ health, dental and vision insurance for one year with the Wyoming Educators Benefit Trust (WEBT) despite a 6 percent premium increase.
Town Administrator Jonathan Teichert presented the renewal showing a 6 percent premium rise. Council Member Jason C. Inskeep moved to renew coverage with WEBT with the premium paid by the employer. Council Members Rick Merritt and Barbara Sessions voted against the motion; Council Member Tom Davis, Council Member Inskeep and Mayor Joel Neuenschwander voted in favor. The motion carried.
During the same meeting Director of Public Works Joshua Peavler detailed town-owned buildings needing repair and described equipment with high maintenance costs that may require replacement; he said additional budget funds will be needed and that the council will address these needs in the upcoming fiscal-year budget process. Peavler also outlined the Spring Clean Up schedule (April 30–May 2, 2018) and noted a policy change: only burnable items (limbs and branches) will be accepted going forward; grass clippings and leaves will no longer be collected and there will be no fall clean-up week.
Police Chief Jason Romberg reported monthly citations and calls for service and asked the council to consider budgeting funds next fiscal year to replace one police vehicle.
On airport funding, Teichert presented documents to transfer entitlements for the Airport Improvement Program so the Afton/Lincoln County Airport can cost-share funds with others; the council authorized town participation for two years pending legal counsel review.
Why it matters: The insurance renewal and budget requests set financial priorities for the coming year. Public works repair needs, fleet replacement requests and airport participation all have future budget implications that the council said would be considered during budget development.
Next steps: Staff will incorporate these needs into the FY2018–19 budget process; the insurance renewal takes effect for one year under WEBT with the employer paying the premium.
