The Niobrara Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, August 19, 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.
Chairman Wade led in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Road and Bridge- Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and updated them on the State’s Road improvement on Hwy 85. He said the milling project began earlier than anticipated. Mr. Thomas said that the Town of Manville has not received their ten loads of millings yet because they have no trucks to haul it. Chairman Wade said the county donated the millings, not the trucking. Mr. Thomas said he will work out a cost with the Town of Manville for the trucking.
He said that he has ordered two pickups, but it will take around six to twelve weeks for them to arrive. He also said the windows for the Quonset have arrived.
Semiquincentennial Events- There will be a kickoff event held at the Hat Creek Station and porta-pots are needed for the event. Mr. Thomas said the county has three available. Vice- Chair Griffith moved that the county provide three porta pots for the September 20 semiquincentennial celebration at Hat Creek. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
BenchMark of Torrington engineer Brian Wakefield met with the Commissioners and Foreman Thomas and discussed the final pay request for the 2024 Road Rehabilitation Project.
Commissioner Hanson moved to sign the final pay request and the retainage release form authorizing First Northern Bank of Wyoming to release the funds to the contractor. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Mr. Wakefield also mentioned that all counties are going to receive a packet from the Office of State Lands and Investments listing all county roads that go through state lands to clean up any existing easements. He said there shouldn’t be any costs to counties.
Old Business- There was nothing new to report on the old jail. Vice-Chair Griffith said the Community Juvenile Services Board is still waiting for a grant agreement. Jonathan Godsell still needs to review the contract between him and the County for project oversight on the replacement of the courthouse doors.
Window Washing Agreement- Vice-Chair Griffith said the original contract had misstated what the contract cost would be. The original quote was for $1,250.00, which did not include cleaning the windows inside or removing the screens. The new quote includes the previously omitted items and the cost is $1,750.00. Vice-Chair Griffith moved to accept the quote from Fish Window Cleaning for $1,750.00 to wash the windows inside and out at the courthouse and Justice Center. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Resolution 25-09 Wyoming Retirement System- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve Resolution 25-09- Employer implementation of the provisions of section 414(h)(2) of the IRS Code, about employer pick-up of employee retirement contribution to the Wyoming Retirement System. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
WRS-32 Pension Agreement- Commissioner Hanson moved to sign the pension agreement between WRS Defined Benefit Pension Plan and Niobrara County. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Museum Roof- Commissioner Hanson moved to accept the estimate from Mitchell Foam Spray Insulation for $14,200.00 to complete removal and tear off old, damaged spray foam insulation and apply closed cell spray foam insulation to the museum roof. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Window Treatments for Clerk and Justice Center Offices- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to accept the quote of $5,295.00 from Garretson Design for window treatments in the clerk’s office and justice center. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Ratify 24-Hour Catering Permit– Vice-Chair Griffith moved to ratify a 24-Hour catering permit for the Silver Dollar to sell alcoholic beverages at the John Graham’s Coyote Days Banquet, held August 16, 2025. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
24-Hour Catering Permits- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve three (3) 24-Hour catering permits for the Silver Dollar Bar to sell alcoholic beverages at the Wyoming Rough Riders Cowboy Mounted Shoot being held August 29th, 30th, and 31st. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and discussed county business. She said that the changes she requested to the semiquincentennial contract were made, and it could be signed. Vice-Chair Griffith moved to enter the agreement provided changes were made. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
The question of the publications of legal notices was discussed and it was noted the situation had been resolved as the local papers were running once more.
Dru Palmer met with the Commissioners via Zoom and discussed BLM updates.
Industrial Siting Information- Dr. Jenny Staeben, Industrial Siting Administrator with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, met with the Commissioners and audience members and gave an insightful and informational presentation on the industrial siting process in Wyoming for large companies such as power plants, transmission lines, wind farms, solar projects, landfills, waste incinerators, handling of radioactive waste as well as any large-scale building project. She also addressed the availability of industrial impact assistance to counties affected by the implementation of any of these projects. This would include an increase in the need for additional law enforcement, medical, housing, and other services provided.
Consent Agenda- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the August 4, 2025, meeting and receipts for July from the county clerk for $4,735.66, the sheriff for $2,031.25, the clerk of court for $879.94, and the public health nurse for $1,344.61.
Falen Law Office- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve the retention letter with Falen Law Office to provide legal review of the Planning and Zoning Regulations for the Planning and Zoning Commission only. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:46 p.m.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest: Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6286 published in The Lusk Herald on September 10, 2025.
