Finance Committee - 11-03-26

The City of Cheyenne Finance Committee met on November 3, 2026, and considered three procurement and funding items. It unanimously recommended approval of modification No. 1 to contract 8081 with the National Forest Foundation, extending the performance period to October 31, 2027, and increasing the contract amount from $110,000 to $149,800. Staff said the change reallocates existing grant funding and creates no additional financial commitment for the city or the U.S. Endowment. The grant supports wildfire-risk-reduction work near Encampment that is intended to help protect Cheyenne’s water infrastructure; the associated state revolving-fund loan award was reported as approximately $1.23 million, with up to 75% principal forgiveness.

The committee also considered modification No. 2 to contract 7782 with DHM Design Corporation for the Reed Avenue rail corridor project. The modification adds $1,166,647, an 88.3% increase, bringing the contract to approximately $2.49 million and extending design completion to April 30, 2028. The additional work covers surrounding street improvements, parking and pedestrian access, railroad coordination, and federal environmental requirements; staff identified FRA grant, fifth-penny sales-tax, and six-penny tax funding. The committee voted in favor of the modification. Public commenter Charles Miller raised concerns about the modification’s documentation, cost calculations, and sequencing of design for property not yet purchased. The committee then considered a $142,800 single-source purchase from Arvar Tactical for 26 sets of SWAT ballistic body armor, funded by a state Homeland Security grant, with no bids requested. A commenter questioned the single-source justification and specifications. A motion and second to approve were heard, but the transcript ends before the vote outcome is clear.