The City of Wyoming
The city of Wyoming in Chisago County has a history dating to 1855, when settlers from Pennsylvania’ s Wyoming Valley came to this area of Minnesota and settled the first Wyoming Township a few years later. In 2008, the township merged with the city to form one municipality. It has a population of 8,032 based on the 2020 census.
Railroads played a huge part in Wyoming’ s history and growth. One line reached the city from St. Paul and eventually ran into Duluth. A branch line from Wyoming to Taylors Falls ran from 1880 to 1948, with current-day reminders of its presence in the Sunrise Prairie Trail built upon the former railroad bed. The old route still bears pedestrian traffic instead of big trains.
Agriculture, rail and the construction of I-35 triggered more growth and a housing boom. The highway enabled people to commute into the Twin Cities for work.
A five-member council that includes the mayor governs the city and meets the first and third Tuesday of each month in the community room of the Wyoming municipal building. Wyoming’ s council members and their term-expiration dates: Mayor Lisa Iverson, Jan. 2027; Claire Luger, Jan. 2027; Dennis Schilling, Jan. 2027; Brett
Ohnstad, Jan. 2029; Linda Nanko Yeager, Jan. 2029.
City administrator Robb Linwood oversees the departments including administration, fire, police, public works and building.
Wyoming Public Safety Director Neil Bauer takes responsibility for fire and police services for the city. The Wyoming Police Department, a roughly 10-person unit, emphasizes crime prevention through early intervention and community policing.
Fire Chief Jesse Milligan heads the city’ s roughly 30 firefighters, who all focus on fire prevention and suppression. They are an all-hazards response department, and work closely with police officers and EMS personnel to provide robust emergency services.
The fire department hosts its annual Stagecoach Days, a fall festival celebration that begins with a morning parade, followed by a car show, vendors, activities for children, and ends with live entertainment and fireworks.
Wyoming has an Economic Development Authority tasked with attracting new commerce and retaining current business, enabling the city to grow its long-term economic tax and employment base. A seven-member board operates the EDA and is comprised of two city council members and five citizens who promote business – and housing – development opportunities within the community. The EDA meets on the second Monday of each month at 6 p. m.
The city’ s Planning Commission has seven members – five citizens and two council members – meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p. m.
SANITATION
Several trash-hauling companies provide service in and around the city of Wyoming with curbside pickup of garbage and recycling materials including glass jars and bottles, batteries, used motor oil in covered containers, clean clothing, junk mail, paper bags, flattened food cartons, aluminum and empty aerosol cans and newspaper. More information on the trash-hauling companies can be found at wyomingmn. org / localutilityproviders. The Area Compost Site is open two days a week April through November at no charge to residents within the limits of Chisago City, Lindstrom, Wyoming, and Stacy. People will be asked for a driver’ s license and utility bill or tax statement showing their current address. Anyone without identification will be charged a fee.
Page 12 Forest Lake Community Guide • February, 2026