The County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order on September 6, 2022, at 9:03 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 Judy Lucas with The Lusk Herald, and Dan Ritter.
Chairman Wade led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Road & Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and updated them on road and bridge business. He updated them on a meeting he had with DEQ regarding the pit and there were no issues except for a missing sign at the Wilson Pit. He noted that DEQ will not be here again until next year.
Vice-Chairman Midkiff discussed a conversation he had with an individual about rough road conditions on Gravel Pit Road. Foreman Thomas thought it would be better to keep it somewhat rough so the trucks going in and out of the gravel pit are less likely to speed.
Dan Ritter wanted to know if S Bar Road had been abandoned. Mr. Thomas said it hadn’t been and they had worked on washed out portions of the road. Mr. Ritter thought the top part of the road had been washed out. He also addressed gravel and road blading matters.
Josh Harkins and Brian Wakefield with BenchMark of Torrington joined the meeting and submitted a signed agreement for the planning and zoning manual rewrite.
Dru Bower, of DRU Consulting, joined the meeting via telephone and the group discussed the BLM Resource Management Plan meeting held in Newcastle, WY.
Chairman Wade said he attended the meeting along with several other Niobrara County residents.
Ms. Bower noted that the meeting in Newcastle was considered a “pre-scoping” meeting and that no MOUs have been signed yet. She advised the Commissioners to draft a list of priorities for Niobrara County regarding the revisions to the plan and submit them during the public comment period. She will contact the Commissioners about this later in the week.
Old Business- Commissioner Griffith discussed the American Rescue Plan and said a lot of the rules and regulations are geared towards large cities. It appears that the rules provide for a broader flexibility and greater simplicity on how funds can be used.
Elected Officials & Dept. Heads- Clerk of Court Chrisanna Lund said it had been busy in her office towards the end of August with court, and that a new judge takes the bench in a couple of weeks.
Sheriff Randy Starkey said he had given a conditional job offer for a dispatch officer and that he has three applications for detention. All hirings are contingent upon applicants passing all criteria for the positions.
Treasurer Keri Thompson said the bulk of tax notices had been mailed out and the office is busy working on fiscal year end reports as well as preparing for the upcoming audit.
Kellie Chichester, UW Extension Educator said they are busy wrapping up the 4-H year. She noted that there was a new UW employee hired for the SNAP Ed Nutritional program.
County Clerk Becky L. Freeman discussed the election and said she is also preparing for the upcoming audit.
Chairman Wade informed the group about the BLM scoping meeting he attended last week. The Newcastle BLM is updating their resource plan and he said the county is trying to stay on top of it. He noted the county’s land use plan had been recently updated, so that should help in the efforts to protect Niobrara County.
Commissioner Griffith noted that we will need to start looking for someone to do the snow removal.
Emergency Management Coordinator James Santistevan joined the meeting and gave an update on emergency management activities.
The Commissioners reviewed a quote of $1,929.98 from Cummins Sales and Service for annual service on the generator at the fairgrounds. The Commissioners asked Mr. Santistevan if he could find any other options before committing to this.
Old Jail- Greg Starck had forwarded an email to the Commissioners regarding a quote he received regarding information on someone who will do an asbestos assessment for $3500.00.
Michelle Kremers joined the meeting and reviewed the inspection report for the Abraxas building. Deputy County Attorney Doyle Davies stopped in and updated the Commissioners on the paperwork for the Abraxas/Branding Iron building.
County Attorney- Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and updated them on county business.
Community Prevention Unit Grant Agreement- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the contract between the Wyoming Dept. of Health, Public Health Division, and Niobrara County. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. The purpose of the agreement is to set forth terms and conditions by which the County shall use funds for activities designed to prevent the use, misuse, or abuse of tobacco, alcohol, or controlled substances, and activities designed to prevent suicide through the Community Prevention Grant. The grant amount is $176,221.00 with a performance period from July 1, 2022- June 30, 2024.
Professional Services Contract- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the contract between BenchMark of Torrington and Niobrara County for the rewrite of the Planning & Zoning manual. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried. The contract amount is $45,579.00.
Community Juvenile Services Grant- The Commissioners discussed this grant and Commissioner Griffith wasn’t sure if the County had to provide any funding. Ms. Wasserburger said she had reached out to Kyle Borger to determine what was required of Niobrara County to participate in the program. She has not received a response. The group will try to meet with the stakeholders at the next meeting to determine the next steps to take.
Dan Ritter discussed his property tax assessment and was concerned about the increases. He said he had visited with the assessor about this but wanted to discuss it with the Commissioners. He also voiced concerns as to how much goes to the schools. Commissioner Griffith explained what factors go into determining the values and most of the basic mills are set by statute.
Jessica Cisneros-Yeager met with the Commissioners, Kellie Chichester, and Treasurer Keri Thompson to discuss the lack of transparency in the 4-H sale committee. Carrie Grissom joined by telephone.
Ms. Cisneros-Yeager and Ms. Grissom were concerned that there were no bylaws or term limits for board members and that there was a board member that was being paid to do the books. They also had concerns about proceeds not being paid in a timely manner to the sellers. They said they have approached committee members as well as fair board members and it doesn’t seem that anything has been done.
Ms. Chichester said she had drafted a set of by-laws, but nothing has been adopted yet.
Everyone thought that bylaws and an audit would protect the sale committee members as well as help transparency.
The Commissioners will attend the fair board meeting tonight to discuss this matter further.
Sheriff Randy Starkey and Undersheriff Kelly Dean met with the Commissioners to discuss building and equipment repairs.
The Commissioners authorized Sheriff Starkey to move forward with the construction in the front office at the justice center so that it is better secured after business hours.
He also discussed obtaining new or newer used vehicles and putting our older vehicles out for bid.
Sheriff’s Vehicle- Commissioner Griffith moved to purchase a 2023 RAM SSV Truck with a police truck vehicle console, light bar, and other necessary equipment from Bob Ruwart Motor for $51,378.28 as set forth in the bid. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Treasurer Keri Thompson stopped back in and updated the Commissioners on the history of the 4-H Sale Committee.
She noted that the fair is a county entity, and the committee uses the County’s tax i.d. number and therefore should be under the county’s audit. It appears they will be part of our audit this year.
Proclamation Honoring the Life of Major Virgil Olds- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the proclamation. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Commissioner Griffith moved to add Randy Starkey to the sheriff’s checking account at Lusk State Bank. 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 August 18, 2022, regular meeting, minutes of the August 24, 2022, special meeting, receipts for the month of August from the County Clerk for $6,318.98, the Clerk of Court for $1,106.00 and a petition of affidavit for reduction in taxes for Finley Resources, Inc. from the 2020 tax roll for ($2,720.53) and a tax roll supplement for Providence Oil Development LLC from the 2019 tax year for $138.07
Payroll and the following vouchers were approved for payment and are listed in the following format: August payroll $121694.43 Aflac- Various- Supplemental insurance- $6891.34, Allbright’s True Value- Various- Parts, supplies- $16.01 Alsco- Road & Bridge- Shop towels & coveralls- $105.29, Amber LaNae Smith- Elections- Election night help- $60.87, Anne Wasserburger, County Attorney- Supplies- $150.13, Barb DeGering- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $200.00, Barbara Orr- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $167.50, Barnes Law, LLC.- Clerk of Court- Court appointed attorney- $505.00, Becky Blackburn- Various- Supplies, election help- $211.87, Benzel Pest Control- Justice Center- Pest control- $89.02, Black Hills Chemical & Janitorial- Various- Cleaning & maintenance supplies- $174.86, Black Hills Energy- Various- Utilities- $271.95, Body Builders Body Shop- Road & Bridge- Vehicle repair- $105.00, Carmen Shane- Elections- Election night help- $25.73, CenturyLink- Various- Telephones- $2117.91, CenturyLink Business- Various- Telephones- $107.76, CNA Surety- General County- Treasurer’s bond- $200.00, Colby K. Sturgeon- Clerk of Court- Court appointed attorney- $176.18, Connecting Point Computer Centers- Various- Copier service agreements- $388.00, Connie Baker- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training, $145.00, Cory Wilcox- Coroner- Deputy coroner stipend - $150.00, Danese Reed- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training, $235.00, Decker’s Market- Various- Supplies, inmate medical - $64.11, Delta Dental of WY- Various- Dental insurance- $1165.10, Denise Baars- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $176.88, Dennis C. Meier- Circuit Court Magistrate- Office rent- $1000.00, Double A Properties, LLC.- County Attorney- Office rent- $1000.00, Election Systems & Software, Inc.- Elections- ballots & supplies- $818.30, Floyd’s Truck Center- Road & Bridge- Parts- $79.26, Frank Parts Co.- Road & Bridge- Parts- $197.33, Fritz’s Septic- Elections- Maintenance- $225.00, Fusion Cloud Services, LLC.- Various- Telephone- $891.65, Gary Rickard- Facilities- Maintenance- $317.21, Geographic Innovations- Various- Professional mapping - $1300.00, Great-West Trust Co., LLC.- Various- Deferred compensation contribution- $17187.12, GreatAmerica Financial Services.- Various- Monthly copier service agreements- $103.00, Hiway Brake & Alignment- Sheriff- Vehicle repairs- $198.33, Honey Badger Towing & Recovery, LLC.- Sheriff- Abandoned vehicles- $115.00, Jackie Bredthauer- Elections- Election judge, training,$145.00, James Frye- Detention- Schools- $130.01, Jameson Cleaning & Maintenance- Facilities- Fairgrounds cleaning contract - $7500.00, Janette Starck- Elections- Travel expense- $39.09, Jennifer Kottwitz- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $202.50, Joseph Bleming- Detention- Inmate meals- $77.78; Julieanne Greenough- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $145.00, Karen Gaukel- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $187.50, Karma Gaukel- Elections- Absentee board- $58.80, Kathy Coon- Elections- Election judge, training- $145.00, Katie Krein- Prevention Grant- Phone, IT expense, operational supports- $97.67, Ken Brown- Clerk of Court- Court appointed attorney- $960.00, Kit Nelson- Assessor- Mileage lister- $61.60, Kroll Associates, Inc.- General County- IT cyber incidents support- $10887.50, LeAnn Dixon- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $238.75, Legend of Rawhide Committee- Prevention Grant- Additional security during pageant- $1000.00, Long Building Technologies, Inc.- Facilities- Maintenance- $601.00; Lori Himes- Various- Absentee board & mileage lister- $122.47, Lorrie Reed- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $163.75, Lusk Herald- Various- Publications- $9629.23, Lusk State Bank- Various- Payroll taxes -$36685.90, MasterCard- Various- Supplies, travel, postage, computer expense, IT expense, new equipment- $6044.56, Matthew Mullen- Elections- Delivery & pickup of election equipment- $99.23, Michelle Kremers- Various- Travel, supplies - $34.38, Natrona County Legal Dept.- General Co.- Involuntary Commitment- $525.00, Natrona County Sheriff’s Dept.- Detention- Schools- $300.00, NCIC Inmate Communications- Detention- Inmate phone- $113.68, Niobrara County Hospital District- 1% Option Tax - $22391.11, Niobrara County Library- General County- Deferred compensation- $1725.00, Niobrara County Weed & Pest Control Dist.- Road & Bridge- Weed control- $126.90, Niobrara Electric Association- Various- Radio tower electricity- $51.95, Office Depot- County Clerk- Supplies- $804.11- Onsolve, LLC.- Dispatch- Computer expense- $2662.50, Pam Parmely- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $151.25, Pomp’s Tire Service, Inc.- Road & bridge- Parts- $1051.15, Port53 Technologies, Inc.- Various- Computer expense- $6304.82, Rawhide Drug Company- Detention - Inmate medical- $251.82, Ronda Pfister- Elections- Election judge, mileage- $150.00, Schindler Elevator Corp.- General County- Quarterly mtnce. fee- $1442.75, Sharon Cardwell- Election judge, mileage, training- $170.00, Shirlee Lambert- Election judge, mileage, training- $220.00, Shook, Hardy, & Bacon- General county- I T cyber incidents support- $5871.50, Spooled Up Performance, LLC.- Sheriff- Vehicle repairs- $280.00, Sun Ridge Systems, Inc.- Various- Computer expense- $7870.00, Swanson Services Corp.- Detention Center- Inmate Commissary- $374.76, Taylor Gaukel- Elections- Election night help- $29.40, Teri Bruegger- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $238.75, The Master’s Touch, LLC.- Treasurer- Mailing service- $266.80, Thomson Reuters-West- County Attorney- Law library- $163.91, Toni Gaukel- Elections- Election night help- $29.40, Torrington Office Supply- Various- Supplies- $74.36, Town of Lusk- Various- Utilities- $2809.23, Traci Bruegger- Facilities- Cleaning contract- $4300.00, Transwest Ford- Road & Bridge- Parts- $17.83, Tyler Technologies- Treasurer- Computer expense- $82.69, Valley Motor Supply-Road & Bridge- Parts- $62.78, Verizon Wireless- Various- Cell phones, new equipment, computer expense & base fee- $655.56, Vickie Scott- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $145.00, Vicky West- Election judge, mileage, training- $145.00, Vision Service Plan- Various- Vision Insurance $425.21, Visionary Broadband- Various- I T expense- $447.85, Vivian Fahy- Elections- Election judge, mileage, training- $191.25, WEBT- Co admin- Health & life insurance- $19093.24, Whitaker Oil- Various- Fuel- $4126.95, Wyo Lawn & Tree- Facilities- Lawn care- $110.75, Wyoming Lawn Sprinklers- Facilities- Maintenance- $96.20, Wyoming Machinery Co.- Road & Bridge- Parts- $2688.06, Wyoming Network, Inc.- General County- IT expense- $200.00, Wyoming Public Health Laboratory- Public Health- Medical supplies- $43.00, Wyoming Rents- Road & Bridge- Parts- $144.15, Wyoming Women’s Center- Detention- Inmate meals- $2464.00, Xerox Corp.- Co admin- Copier service agreement- $130.30, Payroll Deductions & Accounts payable total- $204609.40
Grand total for July- $326303.83
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest: Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 5835. Published in The Lusk Herald on September 28, 2022
