CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Cheyenne City Council’s Finance Committee voted to support a $5 million funding measure for the Reed Avenue Corridor Project on Tuesday following promising negotiations with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.
During its regular meeting, the committee voted to support on second reading an ordinance that appropriates $5 million from the city’s General Fund reserves for planning, design, right-of-way acquisition and construction of the corridor. The project had been left off the proposed 2026 Sixth Penny Sales Tax ballot due to funding limitations among competing capital projects, prompting the city to tap into its reserves.
While the project has faced delays since its initial planning stages, city officials expressed renewed optimism regarding cooperation from BNSF.
“We’ve never been closer getting this over the goal line than we are right now,” Councilor Jeff White said. “The conversations with the railroad have been very positive and constructive.”
The ordinance stipulates that no funds will be spent until a final agreement is reached with the railroad. The measure passed with a dissenting vote from Councilor Mark Moody, who voiced concerns over long-term industrial zoning and public opinion.
“There’s really not that much support in the public now, so that’s why it’ll be a no vote,” he said, referencing a recent newspaper opinion poll.
In other business, the committee unanimously supported a three-year professional services agreement with Cheyenne-based McGee, Hearne & Paiz LLP to audit the annual financial statements for the city and its Board of Public Utilities. The contract is capped at $548,600, with the city responsible for up to $352,800 and the utilities board covering a maximum of $195,800.
City Treasurer Robin Lockman said the multi-year deal provides market stability amid a national shortage of qualified accounting firms.
“By moving back to a multi-year contract, we have secured a commitment locked in predictable rates,” Lockman told the committee, adding that using a local firm with deep institutional knowledge of the city’s complex financial structures will save staff time.
The committee also signed off on a $131,844 single-source purchase agreement with Fuel Management Solutions Inc. for fuel site pump upgrades at the Prairie View and Airport golf courses. The new equipment will transition the sites to a card reader system, bringing them into compliance with the city’s other existing fuel site controllers.
Rounding out the meeting, the committee advanced a bar & grill liquor license for the Mongolian Bar & Grill on Stillwater Avenue and designated Councilor Mark Rinne as the city’s official voting delegate for the upcoming Wyoming Association of Municipalities Summer Convention.