Stoelk honored at Council meeting

At the Basin Town Council meeting on May 14, Mayor CJ Duncan started the meeting with a moment of silence to honor Bill Stoelk. Stoelk was a long-term town employee and a councilperson. He recently passed away. 

The council also accepted the resignation of long-time councilperson Brent Godfrey. He and his wife are moving out of Basin. The council thanked Godfrey for his years of service. The town is asking for letters of interest from the public to fill the seat. The appointed person will complete Godfrey’s term through the end of 2026. Should they want to be elected to that office, they will have to run 

RATE INCREASES 

Duncan read the rate increases.  (A copy is available at town hall.) He explained that most of the rate increases came from the suppliers. The raw water increase was because the account was not operating within its budget from last year. It is increasing by $1 per month. Garbage services are increasing by $1 a month. Duncan said the increase will help offset the cost of fuel. An audience member asked if the rate would go back down when and if fuel costs drop. He was told probably not. 

Electric rates will increase by $2.10. This is the same increase the supplier is raising the town’s cost. Mosquito control is increasing by $1 due to the increase of the cost of the chemical. The sewer increase is set for $2.15. Purified water increased by $1.75 per month. “Your town bill starting in July 1ish, will increase by $9 a month.” noted Duncan. 

A motion was made to approve the rate increases. The motion passed. 

BUDGET 

The first reading of the budget passed. (A copy is available at town hall.) The budget takes effective July 1, 2026 and ends June 30, 2027. Duncan state, “In past years the town could not make the general fund balance. We would transfer money out of the capital projects fund into the general fund to make that balance happen. This is about the first time in 40 years that we haven’t had to transfer money 

OTHER BUSINESS 

 • The council approved a list of surplus items to list for sale online.

• Danae Bales invited the council and the public to come to a meeting the following Monday with USDA to address the shortage of housing and possible solutions.  

• Matters of the staff were presented by Dept. heads. 

• The council approved the non-operational liquor license transfer from Big Horn Co-op to Tim Metro Consulting. 

• A member of the public asked what days and times is mosquito spraying done. She was told by town foreman Tony Harrison it depends on wind and temperature. There is not set day/time. The spraying should start soon. 

• The town is transferring the ownership of the antique fire truck to Big Horn County Fire District #2.  The agreement will note that should the district no longer want it, the town will have first rights to take it back.  

• Town attorney Kent Richins noted that pole attachment invoices had been sent out to two vendors. 

• An executive session was held for  

• Building permits were approved for Huggins on Big Horn Ave, Robert Andrus on North Eighth Street, Pat & Jill Tanner on South Sixth Street.