The Niobrara Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, at 9:00 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 road and bridge business. He said the windows have been installed in the Quonset and Mitchell Spray Foam is starting to seal cracks insulating the interior of the building.
He said that due to the recent moisture and heavy truck traffic, washouts have appeared on roads and the fill on one of the new auto gates installed on Cheyenne River road has settled.
Old Business-There was nothing new to report on the old jail.
Community Juvenile Services Board- Vice-Chair Griffith said the Community Juvenile Services Board is working on a job description, and once finished, it will be on the County’s website.
Snow Removal- Commissioner Hanson reported that Mike Mayville is unable to perform snow removal at the courthouse, library, justice center, and public health buildings this year.
New Business- Dan Northway and Assessor Teri Stephens met with the Commissioners to discuss the electrical line in the Assessor’s Office. Mr. Northway reported that the current line is overextended thus causing the breaker to trip. He will install two new tandem breakers in the electrical panel to replace the single breakers. He submitted a bid of $2,250.00 and would work on a weekend so as not to disrupt business.
Mr. Northway then addressed issues with the light fixture in the hallway of the courthouse, and the outside flagpole light. He said he could refurbish the lights in the courthouse with a new supply wire to each light socket and install new light sockets. Again, this work would be performed on a weekend. The bid for this project is $175.00.
Commissioner Hanson moved to accept both bids for the electrical work. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Snow Removal- The Commissioners met with Foreman Thomas and discussed snow removal in the back parking lot of the public health office. He said that his crew could perform the task; however, it must be made known that should road and bridge need to open roads, this snow removal will become a lower priority.
Dru Bower, President of DRU Consulting, met via telephone and discussed the Newcastle BLM Resource Management Plan Revision, Greater Sage-grouse EIS, and other federally regulated plans affecting counties and said that due to the federal government shutdown, she did not have much to report.
Consent Agenda- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda included the minutes of the October 4, 2025, meeting, and a Petition of Affidavit for Reduction in Taxes for Western American Resources, LLC. for $2,797.26.
There being no further business, Commissioner Hanson moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:42 a.m. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6304 published in The Lusk Herald on November 12, 2025.
