The Niobrara County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at 8:59 a.m. Present were Chairman Patrick Wade, Vice-Chair Elaine Griffith, Commissioner Jeb Hanson, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman.
Also in attendance were Undersheriff Kelly Dean, Brandie Bartlett of The Lusk Herald, and county commissioner candidates Tiffany Thurston, Kevin Baars, and John Midkiff.
Chairman Wade led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Road & Bridge - Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and reported that the department had begun hauling millings. He said they were trying to place as much material as possible on Boner Road while the weather remained warm. After the Ranch Rodeo and Fair, the department will perform additional cleanup at the fairgrounds.
Mr. Thomas also reported that the shop is cooler following the installation of new insulation.
Chairman Wade asked whether the road bore permit was ready for approval. Mr. Thomas said he had spoken with the landowner, and everything appeared to be in order.
Old Business-
Old Jail- Commissioner Hanson reported that he had spoken with the State and was informed that a contractor would not be available to begin demolition of the old jail until October.
Contract for Services- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the Contract for Services with the Town of Lusk for Communications/E911/Dispatch services with an effective date of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, in a monthly amount of $6,301.50. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
24-Hour Catering Permits- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve two 24-Hour Catering Permits for 3 Sister’s Truck Stop to sell alcoholic beverages at the Ranch Rodeo being held July 24th and 25th. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Ratify 24-Hour Catering Permit- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to ratify the 24-Hour Catering Permit for Lusk Liquor Store to sell alcoholic beverages at the State Finals Junior Rodeo held July 18, 2026. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Road Bore Permit- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve the road bore permit for Hanson Livestock to bore under Geisinger Road. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Resolution 26-08- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve Resolution 26-08 FY2027 Budget Appropriation. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried. A complete copy of the resolution is available on the County’s website: https://www.niobraracounty.org/_departments/_commissioners
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners to discuss county business and review contracts.
Executive Session- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to enter into executive session at 9:29 a.m. with Attorney Anne Wasserburger, Undersheriff Kelly Dean and Road & Bridge Foreman Fred Thomas pursuant to W.S.§. 16-4-405(a)(ii), to consider personnel matters. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried. Vice-Chair Griffith moved to return to the regular session at 9:42 a.m. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried. No action was taken.
Vice-Chair Griffith moved to accept payment in the amount of $433.12, to pay invoice 18369 from Wyoming Signs for the cost to replace county road signs on the following roads: Wasserburger, Redbird, Dixon, and North Lance Creek. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
DRU Consulting- Dru Palmer met with the Commissioners via Zoom and provided an update on BLM activities.
Prevention and Preparedness Grants- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve grant agreements between the Wyoming Department of Health , Public Health Division and Niobrara County for the Public Health Preparedness and Response Unit with an award period of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, for $63,000.00, ALN #93.069, and for the Community Prevention Grant Program, with an award period of July 2, 2026, through June 30, 2028, for $178,941.00, ALN Nos. 93.959 and 93.387. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Consent agenda- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. The consent agenda consisted of the following: minutes of the July 7, 2026, meeting; July receipts from the Clerk of Court in the amount of $783.44; July receipts from the Sheriff in the amount of $626.25; the bond and oath of Valerie Wasserburger as treasurer of the Niobrara County Library Board in the amount of $2,000.00; and a notice of valuation change for USA Energy LLC for tax year 2023 in the amount of $215.69.
The following out-of-cycle vouchers were approved for payment. Bills are listed in the following format: Vendor - Department - Description - Amount: Canon Financial Services, Inc. Various- Copier service agreements- $380.00, Century Link- Various- Telephones- $850.34, Election Systems & Software, Inc.- Elections- Annual service agreement, ballot prep.- $13,059.31, Everbridge- Dispatch- Computer expense- $5,570.00, Fusion Cloud Service, LLC.- Various- Telephone- $2,131.59, Niobrara County Public Health- Prevention Grant- Indirect costs- $279.31, The Master’s Touch, LLC.- Treasurer- Mailing service- $1,969.23, Visionary Broadband- Various- IT expense- $480.82, W.A.R.M. Property Insurance Pool- General County- 26-27 Property insurance premium- $47,450.50, WCCA- Commissioners- Dues- $5,561.00, Wyoming Educators’ Benefit Trust- General County- Health & life insurance premiums- $40,867.95, Wyoming Local Government Liability Pool- General County- Liability and cyber insurance premiums- $23,674.00. Total- $142,274.05
There being no further business, Chairman Wade adjourned the meeting.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
ATTEST:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6407 published in The Lusk Herald on August 12, 2026.
