MONDAY, October 19, 2026|
Photo – Medicine Bow Town Council – Toga Radio Reporter Matt Copeland
Medicine Bow officials assured residents that the town is not preparing to foreclose on properties with outstanding utility bills and offered to work with those who were meant to receive state assistance.
As reported by Toga Radio last month, the Medicine Bow Town Council discussed residents who owed between $55 and $3,000 in unpaid water and sewer bills. Clerk Treasurer Karen Heath and Public Works Director Brian Lashley asked for clarification on when the town should place liens or begin foreclosure proceedings on those delinquent properties. Town Attorney Cameron Smith recommended beginning the process of placing a lien on every parcel with past due payments. However, to avoid creating additional hardship for vulnerable residents, he said foreclosures should be handled on a case‑by‑case basis by the governing body.
The Medicine Bow Town Council revisited the matter during its October 12th meeting, where Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer reported that a resident informed her that she had been approved for utility payment support through Wyoming’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program, or LIEAP. However, Councilwoman Wickizer said the town failed to collect the state funding.
Councilwoman Wickizer said the resident argued that the lost revenue should be deducted from her remaining utility bill debt. The councilwoman added that the resident was concerned the town may begin foreclosure proceedings on her property because of the overdue payments.
Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield said she spoke to the same resident and assured her that the town had no intention of seizing her property over unpaid utility bills.
Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer reiterated that the resident in question was approved for LIEAP assistance, but the town failed to collect the state funding. She said the council should determine if other residents experienced the same issue. Public Works Director Brian Lashley suggested reviewing the town’s billing records to identify which residents received their state‑approved LIEAP assistance and which did not.
Councilwoman Wickizer said the unnamed resident believes the town should reimburse her for the lost LIEAP funding. Clerk Karen Heath said she was under the impression that the program ended before many residents received their payments.
Mayor Justin George instructed Clerk Heath to collect that specific resident’s information so the governing body can review it in executive session during November’s meeting. Councilwoman Crystal Mayfield also requested a list of all properties with delinquent utility bills. Mayor George said to indicate which of those parcels are owned by residents who qualified for LIEAP assistance.
Town Attorney Cameron Smith said every resident with delinquent utility bills should be notified that the town is preparing to take legal action. That way, they will have an opportunity to address the governing body in private before foreclosure proceedings begin.
Councilman Trevor Strauch said each case should be handled individually, as some residents are deceased while others are struggling to pay their utility bills.
