NIOBRARA COUNTY – The Niobrara County Commissioners showed their gratitude by increasing County employees Christmas bonuses this year. News of this bountiful blessing was delivered during the December 3 meeting, which was the first of the commissioners’ gatherings for the month.

Commissioner Elaine Griffith recommended that the commissioners increase the Christmas bonuses for full-time employees to $200 and part-time employees to $150.  Griffith said that she was very grateful to the employees, especially Road and Bridge workers. Chairman Pat Wade and commissioner John Midkiff both agreed that there should be an increase from last years Christmas bonuses. County Clerk Becky Freeman thanked the commissioners for the Christmas bonus increase. Last year, full-time employees received $100 and part-time employees were given $75.

County Road and Bridge supervisor Fred Thomas discussed the rehab project in northern Niobrara County. The discussion concerned the strength of the concrete and the possibility that water could just sit at the bottom of the headwall in the pan, thereby possibly freezing and cracking the concrete. 

Thomas said that the contractor has been working to address concerns. According to Thomas, the contractor has a quarter of the headwall set on both sides and a little over half of the back wall completed.  Road and Bridge employees have been on the site helping with the rehab project. The county employees helped with cleaning this week and will more than likely continue to help with the rehab project.

The county put a fence up last week. According to Thomas, the contractor must grind the concrete down and should be pouring concrete by the end of the week.

There is also concern about the quality of work. County employees and equipment have been used during the rehab project. Thomas is uncertain of the county road fund specs. There are worries that the work would need to be tore out and completely redone. Thomas is unsure if this course of action is something that the commissioners should entertain as of yet.

Brian Wakefield of Benchmark in Torrington weighed in on whether or not the psi (pounds per square inch) was enough for the four cores that were taken by the lab company. According to Wakefield, psi should be at 4,000. However, the cores have tested at 3,400 psi. This is close, but not enough to pass state inspection. Wakefield said that the contractor will have to grind the concrete down to smooth out what has been poured. As was previously mentioned, the chief concern is that it will hold water, freeze, then crack. It is hoped that, after grinding the concrete down, the psi will pass the standards required.

Wakefield said that an extended warranty on the work should be requested, perhaps at least five-years. Wakefield said, according to Wyoming standards and specifications, they are allowed to accept a lower amount. The costs of the rehab project have been exceeding budgetary limits because of multiple factors. Wakefield told the commissioners this was something to consider.

There was a discussion about how the commissioners should continue with the contractor. Midkiff suggested that the commissioners should have a plan “B” in case things do not hold with the headwall. Commissioners Thomas and Wakefield concurred with this suggestion.

Road and Bridge employee Colby Thurston asked the commissioners if they could take time off to attend rural fire district meetings. Thurston asked that they do not use his vacation to attend the meetings. He stated that he did not expect to be paid by the county to attend the meetings. Thomas did not have a problem with Thurston attending those meetings and the commissioners agreed that it would be good to have Niobrara County represented.

Niobrara County Sheriff Randy Starkey reported there has been drone activity in Northern Niobrara County. According to Starkey, the drones are flying in open airspace. Starkey is unsure as to why the drones are flying there. Starkey said his department has also responded to reports of some missing livestock.

Clerk of District Court Chrissanna Lund reported that her department has been operating on the e-filing system now for a month. Lund said that all attorneys will have to begin e-filing by January 1. 

University Extension Education 4-H/Youth Development Kellie Chichester asked the commissioners for permission to have the Extension Office closed from December 23, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Chichester said that there are no events planned at the Niobrara County Fairground during this time. The commissioners gave her permission.

Prevention Specialist Kassidy Miller reported she would be attending trainings. Miller said that, during state sporting events, they will have a booth with information about prevention.

Niobrara Emergency Management Coordinator James Santistevan told the commissioners that TWE out of Casper will look at the Courthouse’s generator panel. TWE will be replacing a switch on the generator. TWE is the only generator repair company that will do warranty repairs in Wyoming. Santistevan has yet to hear back on the Hazard Mitigation.

County Clerk Becky Freeman is preparing for the upcoming audit. Freeman said that her department is still looking for an employee. Freeman did have some exciting news concerning the installation of a drinking fountain in the Courthouse. According to Freeman, David Lingelbach will be installing the new drinking fountain this week. The commissioners were happy for her.

The commissioner approved the reappointment of Tandy Dockery to the Niobrara County Fair Board. The reappointment of Johnny Lashmett to the Niobrara County Predator Board was also approved by the commissioners.

Public Health Manager Melanie Pearce requested that she use the rest of Public Health grant funds to purchase an extended warranty for Niobrara County Public Health building generator at a cost of $1,035 for a 10-year warranty. Santistevan said this was a good idea. It would cover servicing the motor or checking diagnostics every year.

Visitor Dan Ritter asked the commissioners about the Sidewinder project. Ritter explained that he was concerned because of experiences in the state of Florida with wind turbines. Ritter said that saltwater eventually mixed with the fresh water in a certain part of Florida. Chairman Wade told Ritter that he had been receiving a lot of calls from concerned citizens about this project. Wade did reassured Ritter that the Sidewinder project is required to file a County Permit. 

A MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between Niobrara County Hospital District and Niobrara County for full-body CT imaging services for postmortem exams and autopsy cases was tabled. County Coroner Pete Pier had not received any more information from the Niobrara County Hospital CEO concerning this matter. Since the forensic pathologist used by Niobrara County has retired, Pier has been looking for an appropriate solution. The commissioners discussed this briefly. According to Pier, the expense of a possible court testimony presented by a Forensic Pathologist is $980 per hour and that does not include the travel expense of $490 per hour. Commissioner woman Griffith said that they would speak with other counties during the State Commissioners’ meeting and ask about who they would use.

The commissioners discussed the cleaning of Public Health building. Griffith suggested the commissioners state what they will pay and what the duties will entail. The contracted employee would be expected to work one to two hours a week. The commissioners agreed that they would reach out to both Pearce and Public Health Nurse Michelle Kremers.

The next Niobrara County Commissioners meeting will be held on December 17 at 9 a.m. at the Niobrara County Courthouse.