The County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order on June 21, 2022, at 9:02 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 Tyler Martineau with The Lusk Herald. Randy Starkey joined the meeting.
Road & Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas reported on road and bridge business. He said he had talked to Westco and Sinclair about contracting dyed diesel for six months. He hopes to have a contract to sign at the next meeting.
He said there would be another change order submitted for the North Lance Creek Road Rehabilitation Project, because more material had to be used to improve some bad spots on the road.
The Commissioners and Foreman Thomas went on to discuss his budget request.
Jordan Fischer, Field Representative for Congresswoman Liz Cheney, joined the meeting and visited with the Commissioners on matters of interest on a local, state, and federal level.
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger submitted a Courthouse, Library, and Justice Center cleaning contract extension for Traci Bruegger and the Commissioners to sign. She said that the public health contract for Maternal Child Health needed updates before it could be signed. She recommended tabling this item until the revisions have been submitted.
The Commissioners and Ms. Wasserburger discussed the contract between Coveware and Niobrara County regarding the recent ransomware attack. She recommended discussing the matter with Chantry Filener, as he has been working on restoring the County’s systems.
County Treasurer Keri Thompson met with the Commissioners and reviewed revenue and mineral taxes for the upcoming budget. She also requested that her employees be allowed to carry over their excess vacation hours, so they don’t lose them by the June 30, 2022, deadline per the policy manual. She said they have been busy trying to reenter recovered information into the computers and have not had the ability to use their time
WYDOT Annual STIP Presentation- Representatives from WYDOT met with the Commissioners and presented their annual State Transportation Improvement Project for 2023 – 2028.
Old Business- There was no new information presented regarding the roof and gutter repairs at the fairgrounds.
Commissioner Griffith reported that a drug and alcohol policy had been submitted to the County Attorney for review.
Courthouse, Library, and Justice Center Cleaning Contract Extension- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign the above contract extension, without snow removal, with Traci Bruegger for cleaning at the above listed facilities for $4300.00 per month. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Commissioner Griffith moved to ratify a contract with Kroll for the performance of information security and computer forensics services regarding the second cyber-attack of June 10, 2022. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
24-Hour Malt Beverage Permit- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to ratify the 24-Hour Malt Beverage Permit for Raegan Lyons to provide malt beverages for the Holland/Lyons wedding reception being held June 18, 2022, at the fairgrounds. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
24-Hour Catering Permit- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve a 24-Hour Catering Permit for the Silver Dollar Bar to sell alcoholic beverages at the Alumni Banquet being held June 25, 2022. Commissioner Griffith seconded and the motion carried.
Carry-over of Vacation and Holiday Time- Due to extenuating circumstances, Commissioner Griffith moved to approve employees’ request for the extension of the use of their vacation and holiday time until December 31, 2022. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Consent Agenda- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the June 7, 2022 meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest:Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 5798. Published in The Lusk Herald on July 20, 2022.
