MINUTES OF THE REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING TOWN OF LUSK
June 3, 2025, 5:00 P.M.
The Town Council of the Town of Lusk met in regular session at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of Town Hall on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Council Members Present: Mayor Douglas Lytle, Council Members, Thomas Dooper, Ronson Pfister, Chantry Filener, and Ty Thompson
Also Present: Attorney Dennis Meier; Todd Skrukrud, Public Works Director; Desirae Matthews-LeLeux, Clerk/Treasurer; Jacob Gordon, Chief of Police; Dawn Hall, Deputy Clerk/ Treasurer; Mattie Pfister, Utility Billing Clerk; Royce Thompson, Airport Manager; Mike Mayville, EMS Director; Trevor Barner, Golf Course Superintendent; Brandie Collins, Lusk Herald
Council Member Thompson led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.
MAYOR LYTLE called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.
COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER PFISTER, to approve the consent agenda for items five (5) through eight (8). Items on consent agenda: Agenda, Bills, Payroll, Treasurer’s Report, Minutes. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
VOUCHERS FOR PAYMENT
14 County Tire- Vehicle Repair $986.00; Aflac- Payroll Deduction $982.95; AGC Construction LLC- Golf Course Maintenance/ New Construction $1,800.00; Allbright’s True Value- Supplies $909.73; ALSCO- Mat Rental $150.96; AT&T Mobility- PD Phones/ Tablets $400.40; Boldon Welding & Repair LLC- Golf Course Equipment Repair $51.48; Border States Industries Inc- Electric Line Upgrade $2,265.91; Caselle Inc.- Office Support & Maintenance $1,360.00; CDW Government- Airport New Equipment- $222.70; Century Link- Phone Services $1,413.85; Communication Technologies- PD Radio Repairs $816.00; Connecting Point- Copier Service Contract/ Overage Fees $100.00; Core & Main- Water Metering System $1,400.00; Croell Redi-Mix- Sealing Chips $10,087.11; Doyle J. Davies- Municipal Judge $1,000.00; Decker’s Food Center- Supplies $68.26; Delta Dental- Employee Dental Insurance $1,051.85; Energy Laboratories, Inc- Water Samples $76.00; Fair Manufacturing, Inc.- Streets New Equipment $18,322.00; Fairbanks Scales, Inc- Sanitation Supplies $261.60; Fisher Roofing and Restoration- Shop New Roof $96,474.00; Franks Parts Company- Parts/ Supplies/ Repairs/ Fuel/Oil/ Tools/ New Equipment $2,528.32; Fyr-Tek- Ambulance Equipment Repair $140.65; Global Propane- Repairs/ Parts/ Fuel/ Oil $2,694.53; Herren Bros True Value- Golf Course New Construction $149.76; Honey Badger Towing and Recovery- Gravel Hauling $2,500.00; Ideal Linen/ Bluffs- Parts/ Supplies $145.63; Jergenson, Doug- Monthly Wage Animal Control $1,609.17; Lamb, Gary & Lala- Payment Refund $73.23; LeLeux Enterprise, LLC- Golf Course Pro Shop $3,000.00; Lexipol- Ambulance Training $702.24; LLC Falcon Ridge Consulting- Utility Deposit Refund $92.34; Lumen- Phone, Long Distance $18.80; Lusk Herald- Legal Advertising/ Advertising $1,877.14; Lusk Lodging Tax Board- Lodging Tax Distribution $4,681.29; Luskwyoming.com- Public Relation Advertising $100.00; MC Schaff & Associates, Inc- Airport Engineering Fees $14,730.00; Managed IT Services- IT Services $5,145.00; Matheson Tri-Gas Inc- Ambulance Oxygen $57.43; Meier Building- Rent $800.00; Meier Law Office- Monthly Retainer $3,000.00; Niobrara Chamber of Commerce- Promotion $187.50; Niobrara County Library- Internet Service $250.00; Niobrara County Treasurer- Communication Contract $6,301.50; Niobrara Electric Association- Utilities $46.00; Northwest Pipe Fittings, Inc Scottsbluff- Irrigation Repairs $645.00; One-Call of Wyoming- Dig Tickets $40.95; Osage Lake Designs, LLC- Rec Dept Uniforms $487.00; Peaks & Prairies, GCSA- Annual Membership Dues $165.00; QTPod - Airport Base & Cell Subscription $1,675.00; Quest Inc- Electric Line Upgrade $203.24; Quill LLC- Office Supplies $141.97; Ranchers Feed and Supply- Maintenance/ Parts/ Supplies/ Fuel/ Oil $141.24; Sanitation Products, Inc- New Equipment $581.00; Silver Cliff Vet Clinic- Animal Control Vaccinations $72.00; Sinclair, Pine Bluffs- Airport Fuel $1,377.40; Smith, Chris- Reimburse Postage $16.14; TDS Trash Collection Serv.- Tipping Fees $4,525.61; Terex USA, LLC- Electric Equipment Repairs $2,031.86; The Sherwin-Williams Company- Fuel & Oil $1,247.94; Thompson Safety LLC- PD Training $375.00; Timberline Service, LLC- Gravel/ Road Base $5,527.80; Titan Machinery- Rapid City- Water Equip Repair $197.46; Underground Enterprises- Transfer Station Fees $2,725.00; United Healthcare Insurance Company- Ambulance Overpayment Refund $280.33; Visionary Broadband- Internet Service $562.80; W.M.P.A.- Power Purchase $87,857.39; Western Medical Management, Inc- Ambulance Billing Services $1,085.78; White, Jeff- Golf Course Trees $200.00; Wilcox, Cory- Uniform Reimbursement $362.20; WY Dept of Revenue- Sales Tax $5,202.40; WY Dept of Transportation- New Exempt Plate $10.00; WY Dept of Transportation- PD Fuel $53.10; WY Dept of Agriculture- Pool Food License $100.00; WY Dept of Transportation- Motor Fuel License $25.00; WY Dept. of Workforce Services- Worker’s Compensation $3,020.55; WY Educators Benefit Trust- Employee Insurance $33,524.50; WY First Aid and Safety Supply- Supplies $145.71; Yancey LLC- IT Services $1,787.50. Total Vouchers $347,425.20.
Manual Checks, May 2025
Holmes, Neil- Sewer Vehicle Repairs $188.00; Circuit Court of Niobrara County- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $369.82; Circuit Court of Niobrara County- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $566.31; Wyoming Child Support- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $307.84; Fink, Jeremiah- Per Diem- Training $136.00; Gordon, Jacob- Per Diem- Training $204.00; Oftedal Construction, Inc- Contractor Payment $482,169.66; Thompson, Royce- Ambulance Mileage $144.20; Zell Heating & Cooling LLC- Town Hall/Recycling Building Maintenance $13,444.00; Norberg, Rory- Per Diem- Water Samples $24.00; Visa 0723- Fire Dept Training/ Supplies $647.00; Circuit Court of Niobrara County- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $369.82; Circuit Court of Niobrara County- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $596.79; Wyoming Child Support- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $307.84; Postmaster- Utility Billing Mailings $309.72; Wyoming Secretary of State- Notary Public Fees Dawn & Mattie $120.00; Hammer, Linda Joyce- Mileage/ Per Diem- Training $180.00; Himes, Cody- Per Diem- Training $68.00; Scherger, Katherine- Per Diem- Training $68.00; Widrick, Archer- Per Diem- Training $68.00; Circuit Court of Niobrara County- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $360.86; Circuit Court of Niobrara County- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $566.31; Wyoming Child Support- Writ of Wages, Garnishment $307.84. Total $501,524.01.
ACH - May 2025
Lusk State Bank- Health Savings Account $6,416.74; Elevon- Office Credit Card Fees $401.68; Wyoming Retirement System - Government Contribution $16,892.56; Xpress Bill Pay- Online Bill Pay Fees $131.00; Verizon Wireless- Ambulance Phones $89.74; Wyoming Dept of Workforce Services- Unemployment Benefit- Pfister $405.54; Black Hills Energy- Shop Gas Utilities $230.12; Black Hills Energy - Warehouse Gas Utilities $253.48; Black Hills Energy- PD Gas Utilities $95.75; Black Hills Energy- Ambulance Gas Utilities $245.46; 941 Employers Federal Tax- Payroll FICA/FWT $12,425.75; Empower Trust- WRS 457 Retirement $100.00; 941 Employers Federal Tax- Payroll FICA/FWT $12,921.83; Empower Trust- WRS 457 Retirement $100.00; 941 Employers Federal Tax- Payroll FICA/FWT $227.52; Empower Trust- WRS 457 Retirement $100.00; 941 Employers Federal Tax- Payroll FICA/FWT $13,465.13; 941 Employers Federal Tax- Payroll FICA/FWT $2,248.58. Total $66,750.88.
Public Comment:
Mayor Lytle asked for public comment on the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget. He stated that there was a change to the budget of what was advertised as there was a need to put back in the Airport Plow Truck as we have not received it yet, and the Recreation Grant funding that was awarded. There was no public comment.
Visitors:
Danny Matney was present to give an update on the Niobrara Ranch Rodeo on July 25th and 26th. He shared that Trevor is on the committee as well. He explained that they have a 100-team limit and there will be upwards of 1000 people here for that rodeo. They will be working with Chief Gordon and the Sheriff’s Department. They may need extra garbage duty that weekend at the fairgrounds. There will be a concert on Friday night. Teams will arrive on Thursday. He was available for questions. Mayor Lytle commented that he received a sponsorship form and explained the town cannot give sponsorships. Matney explained they have raised a good amount of donations with 90% coming from outside of town and 30% of that coming from out of state. There was a discussion on dumpsters being available for that weekend.
Department Updates:
Thompson reminded everyone that the Airport Fly-In is scheduled for Saturday, July 19th with a free breakfast and flour bombing. He is going to ask the chamber if they would be interested in doing a farmers' market out there that day. He reported that they received the bid proposals for the security gate project, and it went better than expected. He stated that we do not have the snowplow truck yet. It is waiting for an FAA radio to be installed because they installed the wrong radio.
Chief Gordon gave statistics for the month of May for the police department. Conducted interviews for the new officer position. Fink went to a taser instructor training. Citizen Rims is the updated version of Crime Graphics. He said the county’s website has the old link to the town’s website and that link is broken. Council member Filener said he would let them know. Chief Gordon attended WASCOP and had good networking and training there.
Barner reported that the cement work is done around the club house. Dirt work around the pads is finished. Next step is to remove the grass from patio toward nine green and shave the hill out, as the club house sits in a hole. Get the driving range irrigation back in and sod will come out of Torrington. The goal is to have the driving range back by alumni. Rough motor is getting rebuilt in-house.
Mayville gave statistics for the month of May for the Ambulance. Richardson passed his class A-NREMT exam and is filing for his new license with the state. Merry will be taking her exams in the next few days. He has been reviewing rates and said we are behind the national average and will present the rates for the council’s approval. He would like to have the new equipment finished being set up. Mayor Lytle said he spoke with IT and they are working on the point-to-point system and getting it attached to the building.
LeLeux reported that OSLI will be doing a site visit on Friday. The TAP Application opened on June 1st and is due July 15th. She will start the application next week with help from HDR. Payment was issued on the shop roof and is hoping to get the insurance check this month. The Rec Department received the Rec Grant of $5,500, and the Pool Swimming Lessons received $5,000. She reported they have new bond council, Eric Boyer from Torrington, who is currently working on our Phase 2 Interim Closing for our water loan with USDA, then will move into working on our Phase 3 Sewer Interim Financing next. The workers' comp premium rates are going down for local government employees. Clerical Office Employees have stayed the same. The WY Retirement Pension Rates for law enforcement are increasing 1.8% again this year. Brawk Cole is the new office assistant.
Skrukrud reported that the pool opened on Sunday with 80 people. The shop roof is complete. The Town Hall roof was also completed this year, and they both have 15-year warranties. The HVAC system was finished up and the heater at the recycling center is getting finished up now. Clean up week has started, and they have sent four roll offs already. Mowing has been ongoing. Tractor went down and is waiting on parts to repair. Spraying in the parks and striping will start next week. The State already came through and striped but they didn’t do the parking areas. James is going to put in two new zones at the playground to add to the system that was installed last year. The snow box was ordered for the old plow truck from the airport. The project has started on the east alley today and will start asphalt next week, then will move over to the west side alleys.
Old Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER THOMPSON to approve the third reading of the 2025-2026 budget with revenues of $22,264,578.00 and expenditures of $22,264,578.00. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER to approve the new livestock permit for Michelle Fife- Poultry. It was noted that all signatures were obtained. MOTION CARRIED 5-0
New Business:
COUNCIL MEMBER PFISTER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER to approve the livestock permit renewals for Grey Lacey- chickens; Royce Thompson- chickens; Leslie Erwin- chickens; and Randy & Cindy Starkey- chickens. Skrukrud reported no issues. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
COUNCIL MEMBER THOMPSON MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER, to approve Resolution No. 25-05, A Resolution Authorizing a Change in Signatory for Bank Accounts and Credit Cards at BMO, Lusk State Bank, Wyoming Government Investment Fund, and Wyoming Class. Maylor Lytle explained this is to remove Taylor and add Dawn to all accounts. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER THOMPSON, to approve Resolution No 25-06, A Resolution of the Governing Body of the Town of Lusk, Wyoming Approving the Recommendation of M.C. Schaff & Associates, Inc. To Accept the Bid of Gorsuch & Sons, Inc., Dba Van Pelt Fencing – Gering, Ne, For FAA AIP Project 3-56-0018-021-2025 / WYDOT Project Als014, Security Fence Rehabilitation at the Lusk Municipal Airport. The bid amount is $63,185.30. Royce shared that he confirmed that the bids were comparing apples to apples. He explained that this project is replacing one gate and putting a new one on the north side. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER THOMPSON to approve the 2025 Golf Tournament Requests for the Manville 4th of July Golf Tournament on Saturday, June 21st, 2025. Course closure only if they have enough teams to fill the tournament. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER PFISTER, to approve the Open Container Permit for Adult Softball at Northside Park on Mondays from June 9th to August 3rd. Council member Dooper asked about the fee rates and how they are so different for a farmers’ market being a day vs a year rate and not this permit. There was discussion on permit rates. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER THOMPSON, to move into executive session at 5:41 pm for contracts. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
The council reconvened into regular session at 6:17 pm.
COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER THOMPSON, to approve the Contract for Solid Waste Transport with Underground Enterprises LLC for $565 per load plus changes in the contract. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
COUNCIL MEMBER FILENER MOVED, SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER DOOPER, to approve the Contract for Services with Converse Hope Center. A contract providing services for victims of domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. The contract amount is up to $10,000, with the changes of removing the voucher program and providing quarterly payments of $2,500 starting in July, requiring receipts to be submitted showing that all money is being used within the boundaries of the Town of Lusk. Mayor Lytle explained that we can only provide services for people in the municipality of the Town of Lusk per Wyoming Statute 35-1-614. MOTION CARRIED. 5-0
The next regular council meeting will be on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:22 p.m.
Douglas E. Lytle, Mayor
ATTEST: Desirae Matthews-LeLeux, Clerk/Treasurer
Public Notice No. 6253 published in The Lusk Herald on June 25, 2025.
