NIOBRARA COUNTY – Niobrara County Sheriff Randy Starkey spoke with the county commissioners concerning the provision of Wyoming State Retirement to Sheriff Office employees during the Niobrara County Commissioners meeting on April 15.

Starkey said it would not only provide long term employees with a retirement but would also give potential hires an incentive to apply at the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s office employees had to agree 100% to participate within the Wyoming State Retirement program. After four years the employees will be vested within the Wyoming State Retirement. The commissioners agree this was a positive improvement for the employees at the Sheriff’s Office.

Niobrara County Road and Bridge supervisor Fred Thomas report to the commissioner gravel prices have gone up. Thomas said as of right now his department still had over 50,000 tons of gravel left to use, which he has plans on using on Boner and Thompson roads. According to Thomas one of the gravel pits Niobrara County has used has gone up over $2 in price. Thomas told the commissioners price hikes are expected to continue with the purchase of gravel, which is needed for the county roads and other projects. For now, Thomas said the county will continue to use the gravel pit in Manville.

County Attorney Annie Wasserburger updated the commissioners concerning the recent meeting of the Community Juvenile Services Crime Program (CJSCP) board grant meeting. According to Wasserburger the Niobrara County commissioners entered into an agreement with WYO Help in 2022 to apply for the CJSCP grant and entered into an agreement with the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS). In 2024 Niobrara County reapplied for the CJSCP grant, which is a two year grant. Wasserburger told the commissioners since 2024 WYO Help has not provided services to a single person in Niobrara County. According to Wasserburger there had been a change in personal and a lack of leadership. The WYO Help Director asked the CJSCP board if they could start over the board decided to start working toward apply for this grant on their own instead of WYO Help.

A plan the CJSCP board will be asking DFS if they will be able to apply for the grant on behalf of Niobrara County. One of the challenges is WYO Help employs the CJSCP employee in Niobrara County to meet with the youth in Niobrara County. Wasserburger told the commissioners it was the proposal the CJSCP employee be employed through Niobrara County and would be reimbursed through the CJSCP grant. The commissioners agreed they would be supportive of this decision.

Shad Bates director and owner of Number 34, an organization which helps teens who may need a little extra help, has offered his services at no cost in an advisory position. Bates said he would be a sounding board for Niobrara County and would informally be helping to provide some services and they have provided services within Niobrara County. Bates has over 30 years’ experience working for DFS before going out on his own. Bates also said he would help Niobrara County with applying for different grants to better service Niobrara County youth who are in the CJSCP.

Wasserburger will be asking DFS to terminate the agreement between WYO Help an DFS. Wasserburger told the commissioners the board are waiting to see how much funds are left within the CJSCP grant. The commissioners approved this motion to proceed with terminating the agreement between DFS and CJSCP and to move forward with CJSCP applying for the CJSCP grant.

Niobrara County Assessor Teri Stephens spoke with the commissioners concerning her department purchasing a new vehicle for the Assessor’s office. Stephens began the leg work with researching vehicles both used and new and asked the commissioners if she had permission to move forward with a purchase once she has found something. The commissioner agreed with this course of action. The current pickup the Assessor’s office has had mechanical issues last year and according to Jim Santistevan, of Hiway Brake and Alignment, finding parts for their pickup has been increasingly difficult.

Wyoming Child and Family Development director Cami Man and Marian Motes asked the commissioner if they would continue to waive property taxes for the Head Start property and match the $1,000 fund. The commissioners have honored this agreement throughout the years and this year was no different. As a thank you from Head Start, Man and Motes gave the commissioners a picture of the children from Head Start.