Basin Town Council addresses wind power concerns

A resident approached the Basin Town Council near the end of its Dec. 11 meeting to voice concerns about wind power.

“Years ago when Phil Julliard was mayor, he signed a contract with a Nebraska Power Company about getting into the windmill program. To get part of our electricity,” Kenneth Lynch said. “I don’t know all the particulars of it, what we would be buying of windmill electricity which is more expensive than other electricity. Do you know how close that is? I was thinking it might be coming up. I was just curious if you were going to renew that or if you were going to try to get away from it. It would possibly help cut our costs of electricity.” 

Duncan explained that the town chose to remain a customer of MEAN (Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska). The town was given customer schedules. Those included a schedule with no guarantees, another that would subject the town to yearly price changes, and one that gave the town priority and guarantee of electricity even during times of shortages. 

Duncan believes that the contract says that 3% of the power the town receives is generated from wind generated. “In doing that it dropped our rate by a small percentage as well.” The town voted to be a priority customer. 

Lynch said he didn’t remember all the particulars and was just curious. He has been “hearing a lot of about the windmills being turned down.” He believes that recently Wyoming turned down a windfarm. He said he isn’t against wind energy but isn’t willing to pay more for it than major electricity.” 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS 

First up for department reports was Public Works Director Tony Harrison. He said he has been working with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The town is compliant on their annual reports now. He has been working with Bill Stoelk regarding the closing of the mine permit. The land it is on is owned by Bill and Brad Stoelk. Bill is out of state due to health issues. Harrison does not have any contact information for Brad. DEQ is requiring an affidavit signed by the Stoelks to close the permit for the town. 

The town crew has been doing training via Zoom to obtain hours for the renewal of water/lagoon licenses. In regard to the lagoon, he said, “We have been discharging heavily on the lagoon. Been averaging 1.3 million gallons per day. We are going to shut that up here Dec. 31. That will help us. We don’t have to test during that period.” He added this was common practice. 

Harrison said that Midco Diving has not completed the work on epoxy sealing the tank. He was told that the matter has been turned over to a supervisor at that company. He has not heard from the supervisor yet. Harrison noted he doesn’t want to pay the bill until the work is completed. 

Next, he gave high praise to the crew and noted that since winter is here things will slow down. Mayor Duncan asked Harrison how long it takes to read the meters. Harrison replied “Last time it took roughly six hours. It is a combination of two things. The radio read of the water meters really help. We have 273 radio read electric meters now.”  He believes the crew is still reading around 500. Duncan stated he forgot to ask Harrison about the crew putting up lights in “Turtle” park on South Fourth Street.  The crew will do so if they have a chance. 

The Electrical Department report was given by Duncan as no staff was available. He read from the written report that was submitted. Some of the items in the report were the hanging of the Christmas lights, upgrading light circuits, security light patrol, tree trimming and fixing of five lights on the walking path. 

Town Administrator Deaun Tigner presented the department reports for the admin and municipal court.  She noted people are already coming in to license their cats and dogs. She and Harrison have been doing a lot of training for the end of year reports.  Just over $2,737 in fines for the court with Fees of $110. Year to date fines is $36,466.18. Year to date fees $1690

Chief McClure gave the PD report to the council. There were 2024 incidents in November. Nine case files opened and one arrest. He added that the overall budget is fine, but the department is over on their overtime budget. He believes they should be able to balance it out over the rest of the fiscal year. The reimbursement from the state from the Homeland Security Grant has been received. 

Home for the Holidays parade went well. They had 16 people helping with traffic control including public works, the county, Basin PD, Search and Rescue. Five vehicles attempted to go around. One vehicle made it through twice. He noted without the traffic control things could have been a mess. 

 OTHER BUSINESS 

•Duncan thanked all those involved with Home for the Holidays. 

• A building/demolition permit was approved for Lynch on West A Street for a propane heat tank for their shop. 

•Weeks will be attending the WAM conference in Feb. 2026 

•Ordinance 718 Mobile/Manufactured Homes passed on second reading after a change was made. 

• James Reilly, CPA presented the audit report. Full coverage will run in next weeks BRR.