The regular meeting of the Niobrara County Commissioners commenced on August 22, 2024, at 9:01 a.m. Present were Chairman Patrick H. Wade, Vice-Chairman John Midkiff, and Commissioner Elaine Griffith. Also present was County Clerk Becky L. Freeman. Audience members included Jeb Hanson, Commissioner candidate.
Road & Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas updated the Commissioners on road and bridge matters.
He discussed a request he had from a landowner asking for someone from road and bridge to clean out an auto gate on a private road. He told the person that the County does not maintain privately owned auto gates.
He was contacted by a landowner that wants to sell a 20’ auto gate that is almost brand new. It comes with heavy duty blocks and the individual wants $4,000.00. Mr. Thomas said it would be installed near the county line on N. Lance Creek Road.
Lusk Chief of Police Jacob Gordon joined the meeting.
County Attorney- Becky Blackburn, Victim Witness Coordinator, met with the Commissioners and presented a contract for the Victim Services program, spelling out her duties as the victim witness coordinator.
Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and Chief of Police Gordon to discuss the School Resource Officer contract. Attorney Wasserburger reviewed it and said it was good to sign except for the need to add language clarifying the SRO is not an employee of the county.
Chairman Wade explained to Mr. Hanson that even though the county’s only role is to help fund the program, the SRO will be a Town of Lusk police officer. He wanted to ensure there was no liability to the county, so the clause was added.
Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Lusk, the Niobrara County School District #1, and Niobrara County, establishing the terms and conditions under which the Town will assign a certified police officer as the SRO, subject to the above mentioned changes to paragraph 4.02, page 1. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. The SRO Program will be funded by all entities in the following manner: Town of Lusk, forty percent (40%), the School district forty percent (40%) with a maximum of $40,000.00, and the County will contribute 20% with a maximum of $20,000.00.
Commissioner Griffith said the Community Juvenile Services Board is still looking for a new coordinator. She explained to Mr. Hanson that this is a program funded by the State and managed by WYO Help, out of Torrington. It is a program that collaborates with juveniles that have come in contact with law enforcement and tries to keep them out of the court system, if possible.
Commissioner Griffith discussed the need to paint the steps at the courthouse. She will reach out to the Town of Lusk to see if they can be of assistance.
She also discussed the water leak at the library. The coils for the air handling unit have been damaged previously but are still functional.
Ratify 24-Hour Catering Permit- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to ratify a 24-Hour Catering Permit for the Silver Dollar Bar to sell alcoholic beverages at the John Graham Coyote Days Banquet held August 17, 2024. Commissioner Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Victim Services Contract- Commissioner Griffith moved to enter the Victim Services Coordinator Contract between the State of Wyoming and Niobrara County. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Commissioner Griffith moved to accept the quote from Mobius Communications for $178.00 for a cordless phone for the Clerk of District Court’s Office. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
24-Hour Catering Permit- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the 24-Hour Catering Permit for 3 Sister’s Truck Stop to sell alcoholic beverages at Josie Rapp’s wedding reception being held September 14, 2024. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
Consent Agenda- Commissioner Griffith moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the August 6, 2024, meeting and receipts for July from the County Sheriff for $1,380.00, from the Clerk of Court for $2,550.50, and from the Public Health Nurse for $389.34.
There being no further business, Commissioner Griffith moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:52 a.m. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, and the motion carried.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6139. Published in The Lusk Herald on September 11, 2024.
