Commissioners

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AT THE COURTHOUSE IN SUNDANCE, CROOK COUNTY, WYOMING

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

8:30 o’clock a.m. Present were Chairman Fred M. Devish, Vice-Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Member Bob Latham and County Clerk Melissa Jones.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited to the Flag.

Kelly moved to approve and ratify the minutes from March 7 & 8, 2023. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-8

FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET AMENDMENT

WHEREAS Crook County adopted the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget in accordance with the Wyoming Uniform Fiscal Procedures Act; and

WHEREAS the Board of Crook County Commissioners wishes to amend the adopted budget in accordance with the same Act; and

WHEREAS, no protests were received regarding such transfer.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following budget amendments are made.

• $3,765.00 to Repairs; Maintenance of Fair Buildings – From Unanticipated Revenues

Dated this 4th day of April 2023

Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming by Fred M. Devish, Chairman, Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairman and Bob Latham, Member.

State of Wyoming }

County of Crook }

Signed or attested before me on April 4, 2023, by Fred M. Devish, Chairman, Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairman, and Bob Latham, Member, Board of Crook County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming.

Melissa Jones, Crook County Clerk

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve the following resolution and for the chairman to sign documents that accompany it:

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-9

AUTHORIZATION OF THE ONEWYO II OPIOID SETTLEMENT

MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT

WHEREAS, the governing body for Crook County its Board of Commissioners has been presented the OneWyo II Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Agreement litigated and negotiated on behalf of the State of Wyoming, its qualifying governmental entities including Crook County Wyoming; and

WHEREAS, Crook County will receive funds to be used for approved uses set forth in the Agreement generally to actively abate and alleviate the impacts of the opioid crisis and co-occurring substance abuse in Crook County and its municipalities; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners find that it is in the best interest of Crook County to enter into this statewide settlement agreement which is part of a nationwide settlement with the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Participants; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming to approve and enter into the OneWyo II Opioid Settlement Memorandum of Agreement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Joseph M. Baron, Crook County Attorney is designated as the authorized representatives of Crook County, Wyoming to act on behalf of the County on all matters relating to this Agreement.

Dated this 4th day of April, 2023.

Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming by Fred M. Devish, Chairman, Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairman and Bob Latham, Member.

State of Wyoming }

County of Crook }

Signed or attested before me on April 4, 2023, by Fred M. Devish, Chairman, Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairman, and Bob Latham, Member, Board of Crook County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming.

Melissa Jones, Crook County Clerk

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to transfer funds as follows: Pursuant to Wyoming Statute 16-4-112, notice is given that a Resolution has been proposed to transfer the following funds. Notice is further given that a hearing of the Board of Crook County Commissioners of Crook County, Wyoming will be held on May 2, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock a.m. to consider such proposed resolutions:

• $96,124.26 to Fish Fire-from Unanticipated Revenues

Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve the final FY21-22 audit. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved for the Chairman to sign, as seller, on the title for a 2007 Ford that is to be given to Crook County Senior Services. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following bills were presented to the Board:

Claimant-Description-Amount Allowed:

Total Wages and Cell Phone Stipend-$236,921.02;AFLAC-Insurance-$2,062.95;Clerk of the District Court-Garnishment-$226.00;Col. Life & Accident Ins. Co.-Insurance-$26.40;Crook County Payroll Tax Account-Withholding & Social Security-$70,578.14;Great-West Trust Company, LLC-Deferred Compensation-$3,250.00;NCPERS Wyoming-Life Insurance-$144.00;New York Life Insurance Company-Life Insurance-$379.78;PA SCDU-Garnishment-$660.00;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$3,814.28;Wyoming Retirement System-Retirement-$54,783.66;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance-$68,105.46;21 Electric LLC-Parts & labor -$3,175.80;Alsco-Shop & Courthouse Supplies-$334.88;April D. Gill-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Architectural Specialties, LLC-Parts, Labor, Cylinder Assembly-$5,241.35;Artistic Custom Badges & Coins LLC-Badges-$109.30;AT&T Mobility-Cell Phone-$1,019.47;Axis Forensic Toxicology Inc-Drug Panel-$282.00;Big Horn Tire Inc.-Tires, Labor, Batteries-$1,536.42;BigHorn Hydraulics Inc-Parts-$122.96;Black Hills Chemical Co.-Courthouse Supplies -$2,829.93;Black Hills Energy-Electricity -$152.84;Blakeman Propane Inc-Propane-$5,942.00;Blue360 Media LLC-WY Law Books-$796.34;Carl’s Trailer Sales Inc.-Deposit on Trailer-$2,000.00;Casey Hise-Reimbursement-CDL Fees-$130.00;CBH Co-op-Fuel-$41,828.08;CDS Supplies -Parts-$29.98;Centurylink-E911 Telephone-$1,405.41;Children’s Home Society-Forensic Interviews-$900.00;City of Gillette-Water-$7.50;City of Sundance-Water-$1,575.42;Collins Communications-Replace Repeaters, Fire Alarm Monitoring, Parts & Labor-$30,846.97;Croell Inc-Cattle Guards-$4,850.00;Crook County Medical Services Dist.-Prisoner Meals & Foods-$4,739.15;Crook County Treasurer-Postage-$14.00;Custom Auto & Truck-Service, Parts, Repairs-$1,024.21;David Osborne-Mileage-$43.23;Decker’s Market-Supplies-$14.98;Dru Consulting LLC-Consulting Services-$2,775.76;DXP Enterprises, Inc-Safety Repair Labor Kit-$972.69;Edward Robinson-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Employment Testing Services Inc-Employee Drug Screenings-$140.00;Fence Tech Services, LLC-Fencing Materials-$3,680.40;FireHoseDirect-Parts-$4,076.61;Gene’s Lock Shop-Keys-$84.00;Grimm’s Pump & Industrial Supply-Parts-$887.76;HDR Engineering, Inc.-Project Expenditures-$2,367.50;Heimans Fire Equipment-Fire Shelter-$1,435.12;Hulett Hardware-Parts-$36.51;Hulett Post Prom-Post Prom Donation-$100.00;Humprey Law LLC-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$425.00;Integritas Forum LLC-Fuel-$570.34;J D Power-Web Block 1000-$825.00;Jagow Enterprises Inc-Contract Hauling -$939.46;Jeffrey Hodge-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Joseph M Baron-Reimbursement-Supplies-$35.19;JW Services, LLC-Contract Hauling-$2,189.50;Kelly B. Dennis-Mileage-$78.60;Kimball Midwest-Parts-$38.50;KLH Consulting Inc-Computer Services-$11,565.45;Knecht Home Center of Spearfish LLC-Supplies-$239.24;Lakeview Wash & Storage-Car Washes-$99.51;Laramie County Treasurer-County Share-Congressional Tour-$526.00;Larry Baseman-Reimbursement-CDL Fees-$186.00;Lenzes Printing-Envelopes-$132.55;Local Government Liability Pool-FY24 Membership Renewals-Fair & County-$28,351.00;Lubnau Law-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$284.41;Marco Technologies LLC-Copy / Maint Fee-$67.07;Max Robert Masters-GIS Consulting & Mapping Contract-$3,400.00;Moorcroft Post Prom-Post Prom Donation-$100.00;Morgan Ellsbury-Monthly Truck Lease-$1,100.00;Motorola Solutions, Inc.-WG Equipment & Cloud Software-$6,020.00;Northern Truck Equipment Corp.-Steel Spreader, Parts-$24,222.04;Office of the State Public Defender-State Public Defender Share FY2023-$19,679.10;Plainsman Printing, Inc-Supplies-$253.96;Powder River Energy Corp.-Electricity -$6,492.76;Pro Force Law Enforcement-Firearms-$6,686.74;Quadient Finance USA Inc-Postage-$4,000.00;Raquel Croell-County Website Maintenance-$500.00;Ringer Law, P.C.-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$4,100.00;Robert’s Machine & Repair-Turnbuckles-$638.99;Rolling Metal Sinclair-Fuel-$88.49;Scott Peterson Motors Inc-Parts-$528.78;Sign Solutions-Signs-$82.37;State of Wyoming-Mainframe User Access-$34.62;Sundance Extinguisher LLC-Annual Extinguisher Inspection-$137.00;Sundance Hardware & Sporting Goods-Parts & Supplies-$197.35;Sundance Post Prom-Post Prom Donation-$100.00;Sundance State Bank-Direct Deposit Fees-$10.11;Sundance Times-Ads, Legal, Subscription-$1,875.25;Sunshine Towing-Towing-$235.00;Svoboda Trucking-Contract Hauling -$2,973.54;Sylvestri Customization -Monthly Website Maintenance -$4,550.00;The Master’s Touch, LLC-Postage-$3,920.00;Timberline Services Inc.-Contract Hauling, Snow Removal, Basement Cleanout-$15,444.40;Top Office Products, Inc.-Office Supplies, Copies-$1,590.29;Town of Hulett-Water-$66.30;Town of Moorcroft-Water-$67.69;Tracy Motor Company-Parts & Supplies-$2,987.40;University of Wyoming-Salaries-$17,730.75;Verizon Connect Fleet USA LLC-Verizon Connect-$14.68;Vilas Pharmacy-Supplies, Jail Meds-$782.14;Visa-Adobe, Supplies, Travel Expenses, Internet, Training, Id Card Printer, Jail Cable, Registration, Membership, Uniforms, Postage, Tech Labor, Straight Talk-$14,051.37;Visionary Broadband-Internet Service-$977.77;Wacers-Membership Dues -$2,300.00;Western Stationers-Office Supplies-$1,760.64;Wildland Warehouse-Parts-$8,633.76;Windstream-Telephone-$67.67;WY Department of Health-State Nurse Payroll -$35,349.78;WY Department of Transportation-New Plates-$30.00;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$615.48;WY Retirement System-Firemen’s Retirement-$79.29;WY State Forestry Division-Parts-$298.53;WYDOT-Financial Services-Project Expenditures-$670.98;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Vision Insurance -$10.58;Wyoming Machinery Company-Labor & Parts-$8,578.74;Wyoming Public Health Laboratory-Testing-$42.00;Total-$819,224.42;

Bob moved to allow all bills as presented. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following monthly collections were collected:

County Clerk $15,326.00

County Sheriff $45,156.40

Clerk of District Court $7,402.12

Public Health (February) $8,073.29

Bob moved to approve a Modification of Grant or Agreement for Grant Agreement No. 20-LE-11020300-025

with the Forest Service and the Crook County Sheriff’s Office. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff, Julie Altaffer, Clerk of District Court and Dan Thomas, County Assessor and via Teams Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer and Joseph Baron, County Attorney were present to go over items of interest within their departments.

Dan Thomas, County Assessor: Notice of Assessments were processed and sent to The Masters Touch to be mailed out April 14th. There were 376 more locally assessed accounts than last year. The market continues to slow down in number of deeds filed being 47. Normal county sweep field reviews will continue until protest period begins. During the protest period the field crew will be fielding in office calls and conducting protest reviews.

Julie Altaffer, Clerk of District Court: Total Receipts: $10,196.97 with $7,352.12 to the County 26 new case filings 30 record searches 15 new passports, reviewed 8 renewal passports 1 new criminal appeal – 2 total in process 149 open cases that are pending. We are now down to the final 20 potential jurors who have not responded, so we are working towards finishing the qualification process for the coming year. We both completed online security training in March for our Child Support Program. Business seems to be increasing, which is normal for this time of the year.

Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer: Total receipts were $1,706,743.60 and disbursements to the county, county boards, towns and schools were $1,566,987.34. In March we did 2,199 transactions. It has slowed down a little in our office compared to February. So, we’re catching up on other things that we were not able to get done in February. We sent the 2022 plate and tab year end abstract to WYDOT.  I worked with Dan to add two new mineral production accounts to the 2023. The State has funded the Wyoming Property Tax Relief Program for the 2022 taxes. They have increased the total household income to equal or less than 125% of the median household income for the county in which you reside. Crook County is at $86,400. The total personal assets do not exceed $150,000 per adult household member.  I have information and applications in our office. We did one certificate of purchase redemption.  I participated in the Employee Compensation Committee and Dept Head meetings.

Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff: missed last couple meetings due to legislative meetings and WASCOP, both were good meetings. Still working on repeaters/parts for such, Motorola is going to come do a training on programming & code plugging for radios, got the swatting call yesterday, going to work on county wide communications and training with Crook County schools, deputy graduating next week, 1 new deputy hired, 1 jailer possibly leaving to work for highway patrol.

Melissa Jones, County Clerk: recorded 559 documents, made 297 titles, completed the yearly LGLP renewal, attended the Be Well Coalition meeting via Zoom, took calls from BCBS and the hospital on how to handle employee blood draw payments, completed the LATCF reporting, helped canvass the vote for the Kara Circle & Windy Way I & S District election, attended the community collaboration meeting, attended a meeting with Vital Records via Zoom discussing updates to Marriage Licenses due to satute changes, attended the Compensation Committee meeting, attended the department head meetings, got shreds scheduled to come next month.

Joe Baron, County Attorney: Criminal Cases in the past month: New Cases: 62 Closed Cases: 42 Current Case Load: 68 In Court: 40 times Juvenile Cases: We also have 24 cases involving minors in Juvenile Court or Diversion. Civil work. Reviewed ownership of real property issues; subdivision issues, Opioid Settlement Agreement with the County, revised for review and consideration Application Forms for the uses of Opioid Settlement Funds. Reviewed County Board of Equalization scheduling and proposed Order for upcoming CBOE hearings. Provided legal research and advice for electeds and department heads.

County Commissioners: Kelly: attended Game & Fish meeting and Predatory meeting. Took calls on roads, most good calls. Received good reports on the haul road Schlossers have been working on. Bob: attended fair board meeting and community collaboration meeting, took calls on roads most good, some fed up with snow. Fred: delt with questions on Prairie Street by Moorcroft, attended the AOP meeting in Newcastle, met with Hodge, Larry, Morgan and Doug, had conversations with Ben Glenn about moving the Moorcroft Library into the Moorcroft Town Center.

Discussion was held on the Board of Equalization process/timelines for 2023.

Jim Geis was present via conference call to discuss Geis County Road No. 44.

Morgan Ellsbury, Road and Bridge Superintendent and Larry Schommer, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor gave monthly reports.

Adjourned for lunch at 12:05 o’clock p.m.

1:00 o’clock p.m. Present were Chairman Fred M. Devish, Vice-Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Member Bob Latham and County Clerk Melissa Jones.

Carol Stutzman, Nurse Manager & Trish Habeck, Response Coordinator, Public Health and Bonnie Stahla, Library Director gave monthly reports.

Kelly moved to approve a Proclamation declaring April 23-29, 2023 as National Library Week. Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Alex Jessen, Chairman, Melissa Jones, Secretary, Morgan Ellsbury and Bonnie Stahla, Members and via Teams Tammy Jundt and Tina Wood, Members, Compensation Committee, gave a monthly report.

After discussion, Bob, moved to approve and for the chairman to sign a First Amendment to the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions of the Pine Cone Subdivision. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Ed Robinson, Homeland Security County Coordinator and Doug Leis, County Fire Warden, gave monthly reports.

Bob moved for the chairman to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for Cooperative Frequency Use Between the County of Crook and the USDA, Forest Service Region 2, Black Hills National Forest. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve a Modification of Grant or Agreement for Grant Agreement No. 22-FO-11020000-012 with the Forest Service and the Crook County Fire Warden. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Tim Lyons, Planning Administrator, gave a monthly report.

Bob moved to approve the 2020 addendum to the Joint Agreement to Take Advantage of an ERIS Regional Government Enterprise License Agreement with the Crook County Museum District. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Doug Leis was present to discuss the fire warden job description and advertising for a warden.

Kelly moved to declare April as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and for the chairman to sign a Proclamation stating such. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 4:17 o’clock p.m.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

8:30 o’clock a.m. Present were Chairman Fred M. Devish, Vice-Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Member Bob Latham and County Clerk Melissa Jones.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited to the Flag.

Morgan Ellsbury, Road and Bridge Superintendent and Larry Schommer, Facilities Maintenance Supervisor, continued their monthly reports.

Board worked on their budget for FY 23/24

Tom Overstreet, KLH Consulting, (via Teams) gave a monthly update.

The following monthly collections were collected:

Circuit Court $7,108.00

Adjourned for lunch at 11:28 o’clock a.m.

1:00 o’clock p.m. Present were Chairman Fred M. Devish, Vice-Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Member Bob Latham and County Clerk Melissa Jones.

Troy Bifulco, VP of Information and Technology and Services, PreCorp, Bridget Helms, Office Manager, CCNRD, Brenda Robbins, Sundance Newcastle and Gillette Office Manager & Amanda Gaskin, MSW, PCSW, Clinician, VOANR, and Jeanne Whalen, Whalen Consult LLC gave updates on items of interest within their departments.

Bob moved for the chairman to sign an invoice to the Wyoming Department of Health requesting funds allocated for the prevention and treatment of problematic gambling behavior. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Present for the discussion on the application process/forms for the Opioid Funds were Jeff Waliezer, Carol Stutzman and Tammy Jundt and via Teams were Joe Baron and Katie Allen.

Jeff Waliezer was present to discuss back taxes for BW Oil Attn: Black Thunder Oil.

Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer submitted the following monthly report of receipts and disbursements for month end March 2023:

Receipts: Property Tax $578,824.92

Sales Tax $183,205.99

Misc Receipts $643,495.47

County Auto $301,217.22

Total $1,706,743.60

Disbursements Towns $148,995.37

County Boards/Districts $260,193.13

State & Local School $883,956.82

DOT/DOR/Rebate $273,842.02

Redemption -

Total $1,566,987.34

Investments Sundance State Bank -

Wyo-Star $419,493.93 $1,161.12 February interest

Wyoming Class $3,074,856.20 $10,840.87 February interest

Rally Licenses: On May 3, 2023, at 11:00 o’clock a.m. in the Commissioner’s Room at the Courthouse in Sundance, Wyoming, the Board of Crook County Commissioners will be accepting requests for Twenty-Four Hour Special Malt Beverage Permits and Twenty-Four-Hour Special Catering Permits for biker rally week. Applications may be obtained from the Crook County Clerk’s Office or on the county website https://www.crookcounty.wy.gov/elected_officials/clerk/liquor_licenses.php. The application and fees must be returned to the Crook County Clerk by or before April 28, 2023, at 5:00 o’clock p.m.

Commissioner Scholarships: On May 3, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. the Board of County Commissioners will award 3 scholarships of $1,000.00, to a graduate of a Crook County High School and 1 renewal scholarship of $1,000.00, to a current college student who has received a prior Commissioner scholarship. For an application please see the county website at https://www.crookcounty.wy.gov/elected_officials/commissioners/commissioner_scholarships.php. Due date is April 28, 2023.

Board openings:

No applications were received for the board position for the Weed & Pest-Area 3 Board Member – Unexpired Two-Year Term. The position will remain open until filled.

The meeting adjourned at 2:55 o’clock p.m. to meet in regular session on May 2 & 3, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock a.m., in the Commissioner Room at the Courthouse in Sundance, Wyoming.

Fred M. Devish, Chairman Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairman

Bob Latham, Member Attested: Melissa Jones, County Clerk

Publish: April 13, 2023