Commissioners

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

Tuesday, May 2, 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 April 4 & 5, 2023. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-10

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.

• $96,124.26 to Fish Fire – From Unanticipated Revenues

Dated this 2nd day of May 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 May 2, 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 June 6, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock a.m. to consider such proposed resolutions:

• $20,000.00 to VFA Grant-from Unanticipated Revenues

Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following bills were presented to the Board:

Claimant-Description-Amount Allowed:

Total Wages and Cell Phone Stipend-$226,107.38;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-$66,394.20;Great-West Trust Company, LLC-Deferred Compensation-$3,300.00;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-$3,617.17;Wyoming Retirement System-Retirement-$52,363.04;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance-$70,868.66;21 Electric LLC-Parts & Labor-$2,524.45;A & B Business Inc-Copies-$461.09;A2B CDL Training-CDL Training-$5,000.00;Alsco-Shop & Courthouse Supplies-$346.99;April D. Gill-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;AT&T Mobility-Cell Phone-$885.52;BAM Document Destruction & Recycling LLC-Document Shredding-$2,748.00;Big Horn Tire Inc.-Tires-$1,685.71;Black Hills Chemical Co.-Courthouse Supplies -$777.11;Black Hills Energy-Electricity -$129.90;Blakeman Propane Inc-Propane, Repairs to Line-$4,447.46;BN Doors, LLC-Remotes-$295.00;Bomgaars-Bulk Seed-$199.50;Cascade Fire Equipment-Parts-$2,313.70;CBH Co-op-Fuel-$20,349.20;CDS Supplies -Parts-$349.06;Centurylink-E911 Telephone-$1,404.18;Circuit Court of Crook County-Recording of Arraignment-$5.00;City of Gillette-Water-$7.50;City of Sundance-Water-$2,078.08;Collins Communications-Fire Alarm Monitoring, Rent, Parts & Labor-$4,146.57;Communication Technologies Inc-Cables, Headset-$1,120.02;Continental Western Group-Endorsement to add 2022 Ford-$218.00;Contractors Supply Inc.-Parts-$1,026.44;Croell Inc-Auto Gate Blocks, Cattle Guards-$6,425.00;Crook County Medical Services Dist.-DOT Physical, Employee Exam, Prisoner Meals & Foods-$7,052.39;Crook County Natural Resource District-County Funding-$15,000.00;Crook County Treasurer-Postage-$33.54;Custom Auto & Truck-Service, Parts, Repairs-$1,881.06;Dakota Equipment Rental-Sheet Rock Jack-$125.00;David Osborne-Mileage-$52.33;Decker’s Market-Supplies-$66.29;Dive Rescue International-Ice Rescue Gear-$2,098.50;Fedex-Postage-$5.57;Fence Tech Services, LLC-Fencing Materials-$137.50;FireHoseDirect-Parts-$1,825.09;Floyds Truck Center WY-Parts-$423.42;Forestry Suppliers-Flagging-$450.28;Fred Devish-Mileage-$164.01;Galls, LLC-Uniforms & Accessories-$379.82;Grimm’s Pump & Industrial Supply-Parts-$329.27;Grossenburg Implement Inc-Parts-$47.98;HDR Engineering, Inc.-Project Expenditures-$1,751.25;Heimans Fire Equipment-Parts-$117.25;Hulett Hardware-Propane Tank-$13.98;Humprey Law LLC-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$225.80;Impressions Embroidery-Uniform Logos-$85.00;Integritas Forum LLC-Repairs-$35.00;Jeani Stone-Reimbursement-Travel Expenses-$916.30;Jeffrey Hodge-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Kelly B. Dennis-Mileage-$149.34;Kimball Midwest-Supplies-$129.48;KLH Consulting Inc-Computer Services, Battery Backups, Racks & Adapters-$20,615.37;Lakeview Wash & Storage-Car Washes-$144.19;Leo Riley & Co-County Audit-$22,500.00;Liberty Law Offices, PC-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$1,433.00;Local Government Liability Pool-FY24 Membership Renewal-Library, Deductible-$6,667.00;Lubnau Law-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$548.34;Max Robert Masters-GIS Consulting & Mapping Contract-$3,400.00;McPherson Auction Co-Screed Board & Leaf Blower-$901.00;Meadowlark Counseling-Employee Exam-$325.00;Monument Health-Inmate Medical-$136.49;Moorcroft Family Dentistry PC-Inmate Dental-$635.60;Morgan Ellsbury-Monthly Truck Lease-$1,100.00;Motorola Solutions, Inc.-Evidence Library, System Fees, Service Fees-$27,105.96;Nicholas Kaminski-Witness Fee-$15.00;Norco, Inc.-Hydrotest-$160.00;Powder River Energy Corp.-Electricity -$7,128.68;Print Mark-et-Supplies-$264.80;Quadient Leasing USA Inc-Postage Machine Lease-$403.02;Quality Agg & Construction, Inc-J Base & Rip Rap-$1,940.10;Quill Corporation-Office Supplies, Chairs-$2,287.56;Range Telephone Cooperative Inc-Telephone-$7,095.70;Raquel Croell-County Website Maintenance-$500.00;Record Supply Inc-Parts-$216.66;Ringer Law, P.C.-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$2,608.00;Robert’s Machine & Repair-Parts & Labor-$8,897.68;Rolling Metal Sinclair-Fuel-$107.88;Runnings Supply Inc-Fence Posts, Parts-$474.43;State of Wyoming-Archives-$10.13;Sundance Custom Steel LLC-Parts-$1,722.71;Sundance FAS-Break-Windshield Replacement-$339.70;Sundance Hardware & Sporting Goods-Parts & Supplies-$966.73;Sundance Rod & Gun Club-Shooting Range Dues-$200.00;Sundance State Bank-Direct Deposit Fees-$10.18;Sundance Times-Stamps, Subscriptions, Legal, Ads -$2,110.97;Timberline Services Inc.-Snow Removal-$1,180.00;Top Office Products, Inc.-Copies-$474.90;Town of Hulett-Water-$70.30;Town of Moorcroft-Water-$67.69;Tracy Motor Company-Parts & Supplies-$4,703.61;Vilas Pharmacy-Jail Meds-$156.62;Visa-Supplies, Adobe, Monitors, Straight Talk, Tablets, Travel Expenses, Adobe, Advantage Annual Plan, Jail Supplies, Jail Cable, Postage, Aladdin Internet, Parts, Laptop, TV-$11,245.40;Visionary Broadband-Internet Service-$977.77;W Bar Feed & Ranch Supply-Tire Repair-$105.00;WDH PHPR-Crisis Co Ag Funding Return-$23,413.20;Wells Plumbing & Farm Supply-Parts-$77.80;Wendy DePina-Mileage-$78.60;Western Stationers-Office Supplies-$231.94;Wildland Warehouse-Parts-$2,451.75;Windstream-Telephone-$280.44;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$541.92;WY Retirement System-Firemen’s Retirement-$431.25;WY Secretary of State-Notary Filing Fees-$180.00;WYDOT Motor Vehicle Division-New Plates-$10.00;WYDOT-Financial Services-Boxes of Titles, Project Expenditures-$1,483.06;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Cobra VSP-$10.58;Wyoming Fire Chiefs Association-Annual Dues-$100.00;Wyoming Livestock Roundup-Subscription Renewal-$60.00;Wyoming Machinery Company-Parts, Labor & Repairs-$9,591.50;Wyoming State Forestry Division-Parts-$1,709.40;Total-$701,283.12;

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

The following monthly collections were collected:

County Clerk $13,589.00

County Sheriff $32,713.01

Clerk of District Court $18,717.70

Circuit Court $8,875.75

Public Health (March) $4,858.90

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

Melissa Jones, County Clerk: office made 260 titles and recorded 468 documents, got the TV, Larry & Kit hung it, then I got it set up and seems to be working, shreds came and we cleaned out appropriate paperwork, sent out annual reminders to special districts and have been tracking the documents they need to turn in to be in compliance, sent out the budget requests and have been putting request together, tracking rally liquor license request and Commissioner scholarship applications, was asked to present at the upcoming board training so have been collaborating with Joe on that and I put together a presentation for that, worked with Alex on getting started on our compensation study. Attended Public Health tabletop, conference call on compensation study, Compensation Committee meeting and Department Head Meeting.

Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff: Presented the jail rooster and stats, went to a leadership conference last week, staffing is a revolving door, worked on budget, finishing up Call Works, got radio parts in will start getting new repeaters in, gave vehicle to Senior Services.

Julie Altaffer, Clerk of District Court: Total Receipts: $20,355.31 with $18,717.70 to the County 9 new case filings 1 criminal bind over from Circuit Court 37 record searches 13 passports, reviewed 5 renewal passports 2 criminal appeals in process 112 open cases that are pending Processed dispositions on 37 cases. Our juror qualification is almost complete, with two final potential jurors left. We have a civil jury trial scheduled for the end of May, so it is great to be about done with this process. We started working on reconciling our past divorce records with Vital Statistics Services in Cheyenne to ensure they have all the divorce decrees that have been filed in our court, and then will be reconciling with them on a monthly basis. We have been working on some file checking in our FCE program to ensure that the court reporter’s transcripts are sealed, as they did not come over that way when we transitioned to the new program in November. We both completed online security training for our Child Support Program. I was out of the office for medical reasons for three days and then worked partial days the following week, but I am now back to full-time again.

Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer: Total receipts were $2,034,249.15 and disbursements to the county, county boards, towns and schools were $827,296.67. In April we did 1,882 transactions. We have been busy with the counter and mail for the 2nd half property tax payments. Worked on the county budget and entered March revenue. Worked on my office budget and turned it in to the Clerk’s office. Met with Joe and Jeff regarding the KLH contract. Participated in the annual shredding. Did a redemption on a certificate of purchase. Had a technology review via an email from Tom with KLH regarding budgeting computers and software. Gave Jeff and reviewed with him the E911 revenue report. Advertised in all county papers a reminder about the 2nd half payment of property tax that is due May 10th. I participated in the Employee Compensation Committee and Dept Head meetings.

Joe Baron, County Attorney: Criminal Cases in the past month: New Cases: 25 Closed Cases: 19 Current Case Load: 63 In Court: 39 times Juvenile Cases: 23 cases involving minors in Juvenile Court or Diversion. Civil work. Reviewed ownership of real property issues; subdivision issues, revised rules for review and consideration Application Forms for the uses of Opioid Settlement Funds, review Black Thunder refund request. Reviewed filings for the County Board of Equalization, reviewed petition for South Mountain Road vacation, reviewed Compensation Committee Contract and prepared Budget, for Board Training, Provided legal research and advice for electeds and department heads. Start reviewing zoning laws and regulations.

County Commissioners: Bob: took calls on roads, attended the Fair Board meeting, conversations with County employees about rally week. Kelly: took a call about a branding issue, spoke with Jim Neiman on timber, took road calls. Fred: took calls on roads, conversations with Morgan on haul road, lunch with sheriff, conversations with Doug on fire, tracking conversations with WCCA and on FS and BLM plans.

Dan Thomas, County Assessor, presented the following tax corrections 02023-0165. Kelly moved to approve the tax refund as presented. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Alex Jessen, Chairman, Tammy Jundt, Morgan Ellsbury and Bonnie Stahla, Members and via conference call Tina Wood, Member, Compensation Committee, gave a monthly report.

Bob moved to approve the Contract with Independent Contractor for Services and/or Materials with Public Sector Personnel Consultants. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

Receipts: Property Tax $1,022,029.60

Sales Tax $ 200,089.04

Misc Receipts $ 633,951.40

County Auto $ 178,179.11

Total $ 2,034,249.15

Disbursements Towns $ 89,314.95

County Boards/Districts $114,294.41

State & Local School $ 411,554.33

DOT/DOR/Rebate $209,840.34

Redemption $ 2,292.64

Total $ 827,296.67

Investments Sundance State Bank

Wyo-Star $ 420,798.63 $ 1,304.70 March interest

Wyoming Class $ 3,087,141.20 $ 12,285.00 March interest

Eric Akola & Scott Pomerenke were present to discuss Old Sundance Road No. 93. Also present were Roni Steed, Jeff Waliezer, Larry Schommer, Morgan Ellsbury and Joe Baron.

Present to consider the petition to vacate a portion of South Mountain Road No. 281 were Roni Steed, Jeff Waliezer, Larry Schommer, Morgan Ellsbury and Joe Baron. After a brief description of the road petition from Joe Baron, Kelly moved to accept the road petition, to approve an Agreement to Cover the Costs of Vacating a portion of Public Road Known as the South Mountain Road No. 281 and to appoint Morgan Ellsbury as Viewer and Appraiser for the road. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Adjourned for lunch at 12:11 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.

Carolyn Fowler, Secretary, Fair Board, Sara Fleenor, UW Area Educator, Carol Stutzman, Nurse Manager and Katie Allen, Prevention Specialist, Public Health and Bonnie Stahla, County Library Director, gave their monthly reports. Also present were Brenda Robbins, Sundance Newcastle and Gillette Office Manager, VOANR, Randy Leinen and Linda Rogers, affiliates, NAMI Wyoming and Larry Schommer.

Bob moved to declare May as Mental Health Month and for the chairman to sign a Proclamation stating such. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Tim Lyons, Planning Administrator, Morgan Ellsbury, Chairman and Ralph Goodson, Member, CCLUP&Z gave monthly reports/updates.

Doug Leis, County Fire Warden, gave a monthly report.

Kelly moved to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-11

TO CHANGE JULY MEETING DATES

WHEREAS the regular July Board of County Commissioner meeting falls on the 4th of July which is a holiday; and

WHEREAS W.S. 18-3 502 allows for the Board to change the regular meeting at other times; and

WHEREAS the Board desires that the regular meeting will occur on July 5th at 8:30 AM to approve bills and other matters, then again on July 11 and 12 at 8:30 AM to conduct regular business and hold the Budget Hearing on July 11 at 9:00 AM.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming that the above stated dates and time are approved.

Dated this 2nd day of May 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 May 2, 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

Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Joe and Melissa discussed Special District budgets with the Board.

The meeting adjourned at 3:23 o’clock p.m.

Wednesday, May 3, 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.

Josh Jundt, Resident Engineer, Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT), gave an update on bridge and road projects.

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

Bob moved to approve Amendment Number One to the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program Subrecipient Agreement Between the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Crook County. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The Board reviewed the applications received for the Crook County Commissioners Scholarships. Kelly moved to award the Crook County Commissioners Scholarships to the following applicants:

Hulett recipient: Lane Jay Alternate 1: Valerie Burch

Moorcroft recipient: Hayleigh Fenner Alternate 2: Rachelle Miller

Sundance recipient: Jameson Fleenor Alternate 3: Alisha Gonzalez

Renewal recipient: Joseph Kennah Renewal Alternate: Ella Bifulco

Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Present to discuss the bentonite mine near Pine Haven and its effects on county roads were Grace Moore, Sarah Pridgeon, Todd Pomeroy, William Greathouse III, Jeff Waliezer, Roni Steed, Tammy Jundt, Jeff Hodge, Morgan Ellsbury and Larry Schommer.

Present for the hearing on requests for bike rally special permits were Jeff Waliezer, Roni Steed and Jeff Hodge.

Bob moved to approve the following malt/catering permits for rally week:

24 Hour Malt Beverage Permit:

Tom Ferguson- August 6-10, 2023

24-Hour Catering Permit:

Buffalo Jump Hospitality Partners LLC dba Sand Creek Trading Post: August 5-9, 2023

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve the following Special Twenty-Four-Hour Catering Permits:

Buffalo Jump Hospitality Partners LLC dba Sand Creek Trading Post: June 3, 2023, for the Testicle Festival

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Present for the final hearing of the Hidden Canyon Estates Phase II Minor Subdivision were Caleb Massie, Jeff Waliezer, Roni Steed and Tim Lyons. After discussion, Kelly moved to approve the Order Approving Minor Subdivision and Minor Subdivision Plat for Hidden Canyon Estates Phase II contingent upon the correction of a signature/notary on the plat. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Adjourned for lunch at 11:47 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.

Sarah Anderson, Program Coordinator and Jessica Halverson, Conservation Resource Coordinator, CCNRD, Troy Bifulco, VP of Information and Technology and Services, PRECorp, Alycia Conroy-Davis, Supervisor, Weed & Pest, Patrick Champa, District Ranger, Bearlodge Ranger District, Carolyn Fowler, Secretary, Fair Board, Jeanne Whalen, Whalen Consult, LLC and via TEAMS Dru Bower, DRU Consulting gave updates on items of interest within their departments. Also present were Wayne Garman, Jeff Waliezer, Roni Steed and Tim Lyons.

Kelly moved to sign a letter to the Wyoming State Office Bureau of Land Management in regard to Greater Sage-Grouse Contractor Coordination. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Roni Steed and Jeff Waliezer were present to discuss back taxes for BW Oil Attn: Black Thunder Oil. Also present were Tammy Jundt and Sarah Pridgeon.

Bob moved to forgive the penalties on the four leases as requested, with a sum of $1,552.78. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Tom Overstreet, KLH, gave a monthly IT update. Also present were Collin Massie, Julie Altaffer, Tim Lyons and Tammy Jundt.

Collin Massie was present to discuss a minor subdivision and the road requirements.

Bob moved to approve a letter to Sundance State Bank to increase the credit card limit increase for the Facilities Department to $5,000. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve the Sundance Law Enforcement Services Agreement. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Notice is further given that a hearing of the Board of Crook County Commissioners of Crook County, Wyoming will be held on July 11, 2023 at 1:00 o’clock p.m. to adopt the Opioid Grant Funding Application.

The Board of Crook County Commissioners is requesting bids for property insurance for a one-year term, starting July 1, 2023. All bids must be submitted to the Crook County Clerk, P.O. Box 37, Sundance, WY 82729, by or before June 2, 2023, at 5:00 o’clock p.m.

On June 6, 2023, at 1:00 o’clock p.m. the Board will make the following Board appointments:

Two Crook County Library Board Members – Three Year Terms

One 6th Judicial District Child Support Board Members-Three Year Term

One Promotion Board Member-Three Year Term

All interested parties are encouraged to apply. Applications can be obtained from the Crook County Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 37, Sundance, WY 82729, 307-283-1323. All applications must be submitted to the County Clerk by or before June 2, 2023, at 5:00 o’clock p.m.

On June 6, 2023, at 1:30 o’clock p.m. the Board will make the following Board appointments:

One Crook County Land Use Planning and Zoning Commission Board Member – Three Year Terms

All interested parties are encouraged to apply. Applications can be obtained from the Crook County Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 37, Sundance, WY 82729, 307-283-1323. All applications must be submitted to the County Clerk by or before June 2, 2023, at 5:00 o’clock p.m.

The Board requested that all applicants for the CCLUP&ZC come to the meeting to visit with the Board before they appoint the position.

Board Openings: To remain open until filled.

One Weed & Pest-Area 3 Board Member – Unexpired Two-Year Term.

One Promotion Board Member-Three Year Term

One Predatory Management District Board Member-Representing Sportsmen/Hunter-Three Year Term

One NEWEDC Board Member-Representing the County-Three Year Term

One NEWEDC Board Member-Representing the Municipalities-Three Year Term

One NEWEDC Board Member-Representing the Private Sector-Three Year Term

The meeting adjourned at 4:13 o’clock p.m. to meet in budget work session on May 15 & 22, 2023 at 9:00 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: May 11, 2023