The Niobrara Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 16, 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 discussed roads and other county business. He also provided an overview of a conversation he had with an oil company representative who inquired about obtaining the county’s permission to stay as close as allowable to the pre-disturbed land along the Cheyenne River Road, and if needed, obtain a construction easement for the installation of a 6” poly gathering line. Mr. Thomas said he is awaiting further updates.
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and Foreman Thomas and the group discussed the county’s current road crossing permit. There were concerns raised about potential liability the county might incur if a permit was issued, the line was installed, then later ruptured or damaged. The Commissioners would like to see stronger language included in the permit that at a minimum holds the county harmless should any of the aforementioned events or any other scenario occur.
She said the Attorney General’s Office accepted all requested changes to the Community Juvenile Services Board grant and is ready to sign once it arrives.
Emergency Management Coordinator James Santistevan met briefly with the Commissioners to discuss the Emergency Management Preparedness Grant that is available through Homeland Security. The application is due by the end of September. The Commissioners told him to move forward with the application if he could come up with something that qualifies under the grant.
Leslie Stewart and Greg Starck met with the Commissioners to get clarification on what the Commissioners would like to see in bid options for the old jail. The group arrived at six different scenarios to develop bids around. They all agreed that any project will require asbestos abatement.
Dru Bower of DRU Consulting, met with the Commissioners via Zoom and provided updates on the Newcastle BLM Resource Management Plan, prairie dog management and control as well as the Thunder Basin National Grasslands program.
The Commissioners reviewed old business and Vice-Chair Griffith asked that the contract with J. G. Construction for the courthouse door replacement project oversight be removed from the agenda.
24-Hour Catering Permits- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve two 24-Hour Catering Permits for the Lusk Liquor Store to sell alcoholic beverages for the Wurdeman Wedding Reception being held October 4, 2025, and for Boots & Bling being held November 15, 2025. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. Both events are being held and the Niobrara County Fairgrounds.
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 September 2, 2025, meeting, a notice of valuation change for Western American Resources for $1,687.53, two Petitions of Affidavit for Reduction in Taxes for Western American Resources for $3,235.62 and $37.47.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6293 published in The Lusk Herald on October 15, 2025.
