Public Notice No. 5661

Posted

The  County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order on July 20, 2021, at 9:05 a.m. with Chairman Patrick H. Wade, Vice-Chairman John Midkiff, Commissioner Elaine Griffith, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman present. Members of the audience included Kurt Gaukel. 

Chairman Wade led in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Road and Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and updated them on road and bridge business.   

He discussed equipment and said that the blade that had just been repaired might have new problems. He thinks it might be the differential and the leak would be covered by the warranty. Mr. Thomas will look at the equipment and, if necessary, have Wyoming Machinery come down to investigate the issue. He said the 1984 loader is not running and he cannot find parts for it. He said it needs seals and he is having difficulty obtaining them.  

He said they have finished spot graveling on Wasserburger Road.

He noted the crew would be working on spot graveling portions of N. Lance Creek Road.

The group discussed what roads might be good winter road projects. Mr. Thomas thought that a perhaps a 1.8 mile section on Cheyenne River Road by the river might be a good project. The group will continue discussion on the matter.   

Lastly, he said that he would like to replace auto gates on Geisinger Road.

Chairman Wade recessed the regular meeting to hold a public hearing on budget adjustments to the FY2021 budget. Clerk Freeman explained that due to increases in fuel and parts and overages on the ONEOK Road Rehabilitation Project, the road and bridge department exceeded their budget by $22,051 and this amount needed to be transferred from cash reserves to the Road & Bridge ONEOK Road Rehabilitation project.

There being no further comments, Chairman Wade closed the Public Hearing at 9:35 a.m.

Old Business- Commissioner Griffith said that the historical information sign for the courthouse has arrived. The Historical Society will contact Ryan Meng to build a stand for the sign.

There was nothing new to report on the fairgrounds repairs or on the American Rescue Plan.  

The group also discussed the Natural Resource Management Plan update. The end of the public comment period is July 23, 2021. The Conservation District would like to have a joint signing with the Commissioners on August 3, 2021 at the farmer’s market. 

Joe McDaniel met with the Commissioners and a representative with Visionary Communications (by phone) and the group discussed broadband and fiber optics options for Niobrara County.  

Resolution 21-09- Commissioner Griffith moved to adopt

 Resolution 21-09 -

FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET AMENDMENT

WHEREAS Niobrara County adopted the Fiscal Year 2021 Budget in accordance with the Wyoming Uniform Fiscal Procedures Act; and 

WHEREAS the Board of Niobrara County Commissioners wishes to amend the adopted budget in accordance with the same Act; and 

WHEREAS, no protests were received regarding such transfer. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following budget amendments are made.

FROM:   10.400.5002.00000 Cash Reserve Fund $ 22,551.74 TOTAL $ 22,551.74

TO:    10.414.5298.00000 2020 Road Rehab Project- ONEOK $ 22,551.74

TOTAL $ 22,551.74

Approved, passed and adopted this 20th day of July, 2021.

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN AND FOR NIOBRARA COUNTY, WYOMING BY: /s/ Patrick Wade, Chairman

/s/ John Midkiff, Vice-Chairman

/s/ Elaine Griffith, Commissioner Attest: 

/s/ Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk 

Adopt 21-22 Budget- Commissioner Griffith moved to adopt the FY 2021-2022 budget. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.

Resolution 21-10- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to adopt Resolution 21-10 Appropriations Resolution.  Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried. A complete copy of the resolution is on file in the clerk’s office and is available on the County’s website: www.niobraracounty.org.

Resolution 21-11 Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to adopt Resolution 21-11 Income Resolution Necessary to Finance the Budget. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried. A complete copy of the resolution is on file in clerk’s office and is available on the County’s website: www.niobraracounty.org.

Commissioner Griffith moved to reschedule the September 21, 2021 Commissioners meeting to September 17, 2021 due to the Wyoming Association of County Officers meeting being held that week. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried. 

County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and discussed county business.  

She reported on criminal cases and the juvenile offender housing matter. She said she has visited with Campbell County to see if they can help us with housing, and Sheriff Gill is to be exploring whether or not one cell can be converted to house juvenile offenders.

Election Systems & Software Contract- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign the contract between Elections Systems & Software and Niobrara County for maintenance services for equipment and license, maintenance and support services for software. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried. 

Resolution 21-08- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve Resolution 21-08 authorizing the Board of County Commissioners to execute the Communications/911/Dispatch contract with the Town of Lusk. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried. A complete copy of the resolution is on file in clerk’s office and is available on the County’s website: www.niobraracounty.org.

Contract for Services- Commissioner Griffith moved to sign a Contract for Services between the Town of Lusk and Niobrara County for Communications/911/Dispatch. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried. 

Road Crossing Permits- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve a road-crossing permit for TRH Ranch, Inc. to cross a portion of Redbird Road to install a 1” poly pipeline for livestock water. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried.  

Consent Agenda- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the July 6, 2021 meeting.

Sheriff Gill and Undersheriff Kelly Dean met with the Commissioners to discuss the recently purchased bulletproof vests. The Commissioners wanted to reiterate to Sheriff Gill that new equipment expenses over $150.00 must be approved prior to purchase pursuant to the Commissioners Directive 21-1 issued in March 2021. Sheriff Gill purchased bulletproof vests costing approximately $1,900 without discussing the matter with the Commissioners. The Commissioners wanted to stress that they are not upset that new vests were needed; it was the fact that they were not contacted prior to the purchase.    

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Patrick Wade, Chairman

Attest:

Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk

Public Notice No. 5661. Published in The Lusk Herald on August 11, 2021.