Hatch keeps Kerry Barney as mayor until a special 2027 election
July 15, 2026, 7:00 p.m. · Hatch
At its July 15 meeting the Hatch Town Board corrected the term of its appointed mayor, set a special two-year mayoral election for November 2027 and selected Kerry Barney to serve until then. The board also approved an updated emergency plan and a $150-per-animal fair donation, kept a water connection moratorium in place, and heard that prairie dog damage and a push to improve the town's fire rating are ongoing.
From the approved minutes. Updated November 7, 2026.
In brief
5 items came up for a decision or discussion: 3 approved and 2 discussed.
This write-up links 1 source document.
4 members were present.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Mayor appointment through the 2027 election | Approved |
| Emergency operation plan | Approved · 4-0 |
| Culinary water connection moratorium | Discussed |
| Fair animal donation | Approved · 4-0 |
| Fire rating and water system reports | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · administration
Mayor appointment through the 2027 election
Approved
After an executive session, the council said Mayor Kerry Barney's 2024 appointment should have run only to the 2025 election, so a special two-year mayoral election will be held in November 2027, returning the office to a four-year cycle starting 2029. Two candidates, Barney and Councilor Russ Riggs, submitted their names, and the council selected Barney to continue as mayor until that election.
Item 2 · administration
Emergency operation plan
Approved · 4-0
The council approved the updated Hatch Town Emergency Operation Plan, which adds a sheriff's department contact and wildfire.
Item 3 · utilities
Culinary water connection moratorium
Discussed
A resident asked for a new culinary water connection on North 300 East. Because a water connection moratorium remains in place until Ensign Engineering finishes a capacity determination, no motion was made; the request can proceed only after written confirmation that more connections are allowed.
Item 4 · finance
Fair animal donation
Approved · 4-0
The council approved $150 per animal to help a young resident raise a lamb and a goat for the county fair.
Item 5 · administration
Fire rating and water system reports
Discussed
The fire department is working to improve the town's ISO fire rating from 10, planning a $600 to $700 flow test meter that could move it to about 9 soon and 6 or better within three years. Water use was 1,453,000 gallons in May and 1,705,000 in June, and a leak was repaired. The council also heard that prairie dog damage at the cemetery and on roads is worsening, with a Division of Wildlife Resources visit set for Aug. 12.
What residents said
A resident said prairie dog damage has worsened and is spreading into town.