The Niobrara Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 9:02 a.m. Those present were Chairman Patrick Wade, Vice-Chair Elaine Griffith, Commissioner Jeb Hanson, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman. Members of the audience included Sheriff Randy Starkey, and Brandie Collins with the Lusk Herald.
Chairman Wade led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Road & Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and discussed road and bridge business.
Mr. Thomas updated the Commissioner about a conversation he had with Art Boatright of Mobile Concrete regarding crushing gravel for county roads. Mr. Thomas said there is still gravel remaining in the Ruffing Pit, but he would like to buy additional quantities from Mobile Concrete to stockpile at the Manville Pit before prices escalate.
The Commissioners authorized Mr. Thomas to move forward with the purchase of approximately 47,000 tons of gravel from the Manville Pit as the money has been budgeted for this purpose.
Mr. Thomas also touched on the upcoming Hwy 85 road construction project the State is overseeing. He said that Niobrara County should receive millings from the project and will store them at the Hanson stockpile site. He said the millings could be used on county roads.
Old Business- There was nothing new to report on the old jail.
County Attorney- County Attorney Anne Wasserburger and Clerk of Court Chrisanna Lund, Community Juvenile Services (CJSB) board members, met with the Commissioners and the group discussed the WY Dept. of Family Services Grant that WyoHelp had been authorized to apply for on behalf of Niobrara County in 2022 pertaining to the Community Juvenile Services Board. The CJSB is dissatisfied with the way the grant has been managed by WyoHelp, and would like to move towards terminating the grant between WY Dept. of Family Services and WyoHelp so that Niobrara County apply for their own grant funding.
Currently, WyoHelp employees the CSJB individual working with juveniles. If the grant is terminated, the county would need to fund the position, and the county’s expenses would be reimbursed through the grant.
Vice Chair Griffith moved to allow the Community Juvenile Services Board to proceed seeking to terminate the agreement between WY Dept. of Family Services and WyoHelp for the CJSB grant, and to authorize Niobrara County to apply for the funding. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Wyoming Child and Family Development- Marian Moats and Cami Mann with WYC&FD met with the Commissioners, discussed the program, and presented a funding request for the upcoming fiscal year. They explained that while they no longer offer the Head Start program due to staffing issues, they do provide services for younger children with disabilities such as hearing exams.
Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve the property tax waiver and the $1,000.00 funding request for FY26 for Wyoming Child and Family Development. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
24-Hour Catering Permit- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve a 24-Hour Catering Permit for the Lusk Liquor Store to sell alcoholic beverages at the Tschacher wedding reception being held on June 14, 2025, at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Assessor Teri Stephens met with the Commissioners to discuss options for a newer vehicle for her office.
Sheriff Randy Starkey discussed law enforcement retirement, and the Commissioners said this would be reviewed during budget.
Consent Agenda- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the April 1, 2025, meeting, and receipts for March from the County Clerk for $3,865.23, the Sheriff for $487.00, the Clerk of Court for $1,955.00 and the Public Health Nurse for $1,107.83.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6240 published in The Lusk Herald on May 14, 2025.
