Commissioners

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

Monday, August 5, 2024

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.

Bob moved to approve and ratify the minutes from July 2, 3 & 15, 2024. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve and for the chairman to sign a Fiscal Year 2025 Contract for Services to Victims of Crime Between the State of Wyoming, Office of the Attorney General, Division of Victim Services and Crook County Attorney Victim Witness Program - $69,823.00. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve the following Twenty-Four Malt Beverage Permits:

Carlile Store LLC: August 7-10, 2024 for rally

Liberty Belle Motel Café and Lounge LLC: August 15-11, 2024 for rally

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

After discussion, Kelly moved to sign Memorandum of Understanding with not-for-Profit Service Providers with:

North East Wyoming Advocacy Resource Center

Volunteers of America Northern Rockies

Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following bills were presented to the Board:

CLAIMANT-PURPOSE-$AMOUNT;

Total Wages and Cell Phone Stipend-$321,933.52;AFLAC-Insurance-$3,391.92;Clerk of the District Court-Garnishment-$226.00;Crook County Payroll Tax Account-Withholding & Social Security-$95,030.26;Great-West Trust Company, LLC-Deferred Compensation-$4,730.00;NCPERS Wyoming-Life Insurance-$128.00;New York Life Insurance Company-Life Insurance-$379.78;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$6,482.43;Wyoming Retirement System-Retirement-$70,326.96;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance-$93,231.17;A & B Business Inc-Copies & Maint Agreement-$963.70;Alsco-Shop & Courthouse Supplies-$385.23;April D. Gill-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Architectural Specialties LLC-Parts & Labor -$1,056.49;AT&T Mobility-Cell Phone-$770.78;Big Horn Tire Inc.-Tires & Batteries-$6,290.46;BJ Nelson Inc -Part-$208.50;Black Hills Chemical Co.-Courthouse Supplies -$874.88;Black Hills Energy-Electricity -$35.23;Black Hills Window Cleaning Inc-Window Cleaning-$600.00;Blake Homala-Chainsaw-$450.00;Blakeman Propane Inc -Propane-$35.20;Blue360 Media LLC-Law Books-$556.92;Brannan Trucking Inc -Contract Hauling -$22,525.00;CBH Co-op-Fuel-$46,029.43;CDS Supplies-Hardware-$593.09;Centurylink-E911 Telephone-$1,397.99;City of Gillette-Water-$7.50;City of Sundance-Water-$2,495.88;Clear Choice Headsets & Technology LLC-Headset-$223.00;Climate Solutions Inc -Jail Air Handler-$163,518.00;Clinical Lab of the Black Hills-Autopsy-$1,675.00;Collins Communications-Fire Alarm Monitoring & Labor -$408.50;Communication Technologies Inc -Batteries -$149.65;Crook County Medical Services Dist.-Inmate Food & Meals; Blood Draws-$4,518.01;Crook County Natural Resource District -County Funding-$17,500.00;Crook County Treasurer-Postage-$21.80;Custom Auto & Truck -Parts & Labor -$2,285.35;Dakota Truck and Repair LLC-Service-$4,850.00;David Osborne-Mileage-$142.71;Death Investigation Training Academy -Training -$825.00;Decker’s Market-Supplies -$146.64;Deere Credit Inc-Lease Payment on Dozer-$30,342.89;Department of Workforce Services -Worker’s Compensation-$19.50;Devils Tower VFW Post 4311-Flag Program -$140.00;DMC Wear Parts LLC-Blades-$2,022.00;Donna’s Diner II-Sack Lunches-$955.00;Dru Consulting LLC-Consulting Services -$375.00;Election Systems & Software -Service Contract & Ballots-$33,786.57;Environmental Systems Research Inst. -ESRI License & Agreement-$28,400.00;Fas-Break-Windshield Repair & Replacement-$381.49;Fedex-Postage-$9.83;FireHoseDirect-Parts-$346.32;Firesteel Well Service Inc -Contract Hauling -$2,760.00;Floyds Truck Center -Parts & Labor-$5,448.25;Glen Gardner-Fire Expenses-$114.00;Good Electric Inc-Parts & Labor -$4,874.12;Greater Hulett Community Center-Rental -$25.00;Grossenburg Implement Inc -Oil -$11.28;HDR Engineering Inc -Professional Services-$22,023.25;Humphrey Law LLC -Court Appointed Attorney-$1,313.25;Inland Truck Parts & Service-Parts & Labor -$13,303.48;Integritas-Fuel, Propane & Meals -$656.95;J & D Precast Inc -Concrete-$330.00;James Brandenburg-Reimbursement-$24.10;Jeffrey Hodge-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$65.00;Joey Kanode-Reimbursement-$71.11;Joseph M Baron-Mileage-$49.38;Josh Anderson -Fire Expenses-$99.00;Kathleen R Allen-Travel Expenses & Mileage-$729.75;Kelly B. Dennis-Mileage-$120.60;Kimball Midwest-Parts-$977.38;KLH Consulting Inc-Computer Services-$15,317.00;Lakeview Wash & Storage -Car Washes-$467.87;Light & Siren-Lights-$1,731.58;Marco Technologies LLC-Copy / Maint Fee-$144.96;Matthew Bender & Co Inc -Legal Publications-$2,172.29;Max Robert Masters-GIS Consulting & Mapping Contract-$3,400.00; Menards-Canopies-$219.98;MG Oil Company -Exhaust Fluid -$2,508.19;Michael R Frolander-Reimbursement-$477.00;Morgan Ellsbury-Truck Lease-$1,100.00;Motorola Solutions Inc -Software Hosting; Video Storage & Body & Dash Cams-$34,128.95;Newcastle Motors LTD-Parts & Labor -$858.08;North Central International Inc -Parts & Labor -$785.12;Paradise Foods-Fuel-$297.93;Partsone LLC DBA Napa-Parts-$327.79;Pine Haven Fire Auxiliary-Sack Lunches-$3,000.00;Platinum Diesel LLC-Parts & Labor -$2,072.85;Powder River Energy Corp.-Electricity -$4,895.92;Powerplan BF-Parts-$3,768.86;Prairie Auto Parts-Motor Mounts-$35.96;Premier Vehicle Installation Inc -Equipment-$20,119.34;Princeton Health Press-Materials-$2,843.50;Pro Force Law Enforcement -Spray-$3,188.71;Quadient Leasing USA Inc -Lease -$516.99;Quality Agg & Construction, Inc-J Base-$62,300.37;Quill Corporation -Office Supplies-$301.04;Range Telephone Cooperative Inc-Telephone -$6,846.50;Raquel Croell-County Website Maintenance-$500.00;Red Wolf Motorsports-Parts & Labor -$1,448.95;Robert’s Machine & Repair -Parts-$86.80;Rolling Metal Sinclair-Fuel-$139.76;Runnings Supply Inc -Parts-$75.54;Sara Fleenor-Mileage-$94.34;Scott Peterson Motors Inc -Parts-$995.12;Sign Solutions-Sign-$161.31;State of Wyoming -File Storage-$11.02;Stateline Services LLC-Alignment-$79.99;Sundance Hardware & Sporting Goods-Parts & Supplies-$539.19;Sundance State Bank -Direct Deposit Fees-$10.53;Sundance Times-Legal Publications & Notary Stamp-$3,977.84;Svoboda Trucking -Contract Hauling -$1,000.00;Thomson Reuters-West -Proforma Contract-$10,591.68;Timberline Services Inc -J Base; Rental & Labor -$5,946.02;Tom Lubas -Fire Expenses-$127.00;Top Office Products, Inc.-Copies & Labor-$464.40;Town of Hulett-Water & License -$62.30;Town of Moorcroft-Water-$68.68;Tracy Motor Company-Parts & Supplies-$10,916.97;Tyler Technologies Inc -User Support & Maintenance-$33,699.70;US Post Office-Box Dues -$154.00;Verizon Connect Fleet USA LLC-Vehicle Tracking -$258.70;Vermeer High Plains-Rental -$1,504.00;Virginia Burke-Mileage-$706.44;Visa-Adobe, Supplies, Postage, Travel Expenses, Cable, Internet, Straight Talk, Chairs, Security Cameras-$19,244.75;W Bar Feed & Ranch Supply -Tire -$325.00;WACO-Registrations-$750.00;Wells Plumbing & Farm Supply -Parts-$531.56;Wendy DePina-Mileage & Travel Expenses-$803.61;Western Stationers-Office Supplies -$180.93;White’s Energy Motors-2 2024 Durangos-$87,730.00;Wilson Power & Tree Service LLC-Tree Removal-$1,750.00;Windstream-Telephone -$147.31;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$2,484.95;WY Retirement System-Firemen’s Retirement-$525.00;Wyoming County Commissioners Association-Dues-$8,787.00;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Cobra VSP-$14.90;Wyoming Machinery Company-Parts & Labor-$16,906.92;Wyoming Public Health Laboratory-Lab Testing -$24.00;Wyoming Technology Transfer Center -LPA-$100.00;Total-$1,414,972.47;

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

Dan Thomas, County Assessor explained the mill levy to the Board. Bob moved to order the following mill levy on all Crook County property as authorized by law as presented by Dan Thomas, County Assessor:

PROPERTY TAX LEVY REQUEST

REPORT OF VALUATION, MILL LEVIES AND TAXES

2024

COUNTY VALUATION: $318,250,922

COUNTY VALUATION – as fixed by State Board

TAXES TAXES LEVIED

State Taxes Levied 12.0 $3,819,000

County Taxes Levied 12.0 $3,819,000

School District Taxes Levied 31.5 $10,024,875

Crook County Medical Service District 3.0 $984,348

Crook County Weed & Pest 1.0 $318,250

Crook County W & P Special Management 1.0 $318,250

Crook County Museum District 1.0 $318,250

Crook County Senior Citizens Services District 1.0 $318,250

Total County Mill Levy 0100 Tax District 62.5 $19,038,323

Municipal Levies

Town of Pine Haven 0108 Tax District District Valuation $9,385,380

Number of Mills Levied: 8 Taxes Levied: $75,083

Town of Hulett 0150 Tax District District Valuation $6,386,298

Number of Mills Levied: 8 Taxes Levied: $51,090

Town of Moorcroft 0151 Tax District District Valuation $7,968,530

Number of Mills Levied: 8 Taxes Levied: $63,748

City of Sundance 0152 Tax District District Valuation $16,409,960

Number of Mills Levied: 8 Taxes Levied: $131,279

Total Municipal Mills Levied: 70.5 $321,200

Tax Districts not requesting mills (0100 Tax District):

0102 Vista West

0103 Aladdin Water District

0105 Tower Ridge Estates

0106 Sundance Canyon Ranch

0109 Kara Circle & Windy Way Serv & Imp District

9901 Crook County Irrigation District

N/A Crook County Natural Resource District

0110 Warbonnet Canyon Estates

0111 Beulah Improvement and & Service District

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following monthly collections were collected:

County Clerk $16,023.25

County Sheriff $34,911.58

Clerk of District Court (Partial July) $400.00

Public Health (June) $2,493.26

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

Dan Thomas, County Assessor: In the Assessor’s Office we are continuing annual sweep reviews in Hulett. Last week I attended IAAO’s Personal Property class held in Casper. The week of July 22nd our field appraisers attended IAAO’s Income Valuation course. Currently myself and my Deputy are Permanently Certified Tax Appraisers for Wyoming, and my Field Appraisers are Temporarily Certified Tax Appraisers for Wyoming working through their course work to become Permanently Certified. I attended the WCAA meetings in Thermopolis. I served pancakes at the Elected Official Breakfast. Attended the meetings of the IT Committee.

Joseph M. Baron, County Attorney: Criminal Cases in the past month: New Cases: 37 Closed Cases: 41 Current Case Load: 68 In Court:43 times Juvenile/Diversion Cases: 30 Work on Criminal cases. Staff and I are on call evenings and weekends. Attend commissioners meeting and budget hearing. Review and assist Improvement District, Planning Board and Staff on subdivision and permitting matters, and County Officers. Reviewed Title 25 matters and billing. Continued working on proposed road vacations on Road No. 38, 51, 197 and other road easement matters. Discussed family cemetery questions with several people. Reviewed personnel matters. Dealt with lawsuit against the state and county attorneys from prosecuting illegal Delta 8 products. LGLP responded on our behalf joining the Attorney General who argued that restraining order be dismissed. The federal court judge granted the Attorney Generals request and as of July 1 the expanded definition of THC includes Delta 8 and it is illegal. Worked on several County Board of Equalization matters. Prepared for Rally and event in Gillette. Researched Aladdin Tipple agreements.

Melissa Jones, County Clerk: attended the compensation committee meeting, IT meeting, CISA meetings on protect 2024, sent out absentee ballots, sent out mail ballots for 2 special districts, completed the public test of election equipment, completed the budget and did the budget roll over, sent out notice for Klondike Road hearing, been preparing items requested by the auditor, sent out the new plate renewal list and tracking that, served at the fair breakfast.

Julie Crawford, Clerk of the District Court: Total Receipts Submitted as of August 1, 2024: $400.00 in Restitution to the County 12 new case filings 22 record searches 13 new passports, assisted multiple other customers with renewal passports 1 civil appeal in process The Supreme Court did an update to our FCE system on the night of July 30th that houses all our cases and financials. This update unexpectedly made changes to our End of Period Disbursement which rendered it non-functional. They are working with the vendor to get this fixed and they are hopeful to have the fix delivered to us early this week. However, because of this, I was unable to pay out any monies received in July other than the restitution check I issued before the program failed. As soon as it is fixed, I will pay out all other monies collected in July. We reassigned over 100 cases from the three District Court Judges to Judge McGrady in an effort to even out their caseloads with the new judge. The random case selection was done by the Supreme Court, and they were to pull ¼ of each judge’s caseload so all judges would have ¾ of the total caseload. However, the Supreme Court just notified us that they pulled ¾ of each judge’s caseload rather than the ¼ that they were supposed to pull. We will be getting a new set of lists to re-assign a portion of these cases back to their original judges. I am going through our uncashed checks to make a final attempt at contacting the parties before starting the process of turning the money over to unclaimed property in the next few months. I attended two IT Meetings with our newly formed committee, a Teams meeting with the District Court Clerks, and the final budget meeting with the commissioners. I also attended a Child Support Authority budget meeting in Newcastle, an employee compensation committee meeting and helped serve breakfast down at the Crook County Fair.

Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff: Presented the jail stats, dealing with issues that have arisen from the Moskee Land Acquisitions, received 2 new vehicles now dealing with equipping the vehicles.

Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer: Total receipts were $1,522,516.41 and disbursements to the county boards, towns and schools were $922,482.81. In July we did a total of 1,599 transactions. Completed and submitted the WDE160 report to the Wyoming Department of Education. Rolled over funds and the estimated revenue to the new fiscal year. Invested with Wyoming Class the PILT funds of $950,781 that we received at the end of June. Completed and submitted the 12 Mill report for the state school to the State Auditor’s office. Our tax sale will be August 21st.

County Commissioners: Kelly: attended the budget hearing, took several calls some on roads, had conversations with Morgan about them, took calls from people to guide them as to who to contact to get what they were needing Bob: Took fire trucks to both fireworks displays, present at several fires around the county, took calls on Banks Road, attended the budget hearing, 2 IT meetings, served at the Fair breakfast, helped out at the fair several days. Fred: Attended WCCA meetings, Compensation Committee meeting, served at the Fair breakfast, took calls on the Klondike Road, had conversations with Jeff & Mel, took Road complaints and comments, then had conversations with Morgan on those, took questions on the Aladdin Tipple, present at multiple fires.

Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer submitted the following monthly report of receipts and disbursements for month end July 2024:

Receipts: Property Tax $433,326.44

Sales Tax $177,383.75

Misc Receipts $727,317.97

County Auto $184,488.25

Total $1,522,516.41

Disbursements: Towns $148,605.98

County Boards/Districts $88,379.80

State & Local School $453,453.47

DOT/DOR/Rebate $232,043.56

Total $922,482.81

Investments: Wyo-Star $443,610.18 $1,655.45 June Interest

Wyoming Class $3,331,047.88 $14,259.70 June Interest

Alex Jessen, Chairman and Tammy Jundt, member, Compensation Committee gave a monthly report.

Bob moved to approve and for the chairman to sign eleven (11) classification reviews for the County Sheriff. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved appoint Morgan as the CMAQ organizer and to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION 2024-23

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR A CMAQ GRANT

WHEREAS, Crook County has identified a need for additional funding for dust mitigation for the safety and health of the residents of Crook County; and

WHEREAS, Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality (CMAQ) Grant Funds are available through the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Fiscal Year 2025 to address the dust problems on County Roads; and

WHEREAS, Crook County will, if approved for funding, be able to suppress dust on approximately forty-one (41) non-consecutive miles of county roads, listed in the following order of priority:

County Road #49, Banks Road – 3.75 miles; County Road #247, Clark Road – 1.45 miles; County Road #129, Sand Creek Road – 1.2 miles; County Road #195, Homestake Road – 0.25 mile; County Road #103, Shipwheel Road – 2.75 miles; County Road #116, Cabin Creek Road – 3.1 miles; County Road #68, D Road - 18 miles; County Road #266, Miller Creek Road – 2.5 miles; County Road #12, Bertha Road – 3.5 miles; County Road #249, Government Valley Road – 4.5 miles:

WHEREAS the application for the CMAQ grant request must be submitted by August 15, 2024; and

WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners have determined this use of CMAQ funding for dust mitigation will benefit the safety and health of the residents of Crook County;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County that Crook County shall file an application requesting $242,457.60 with the Wyoming Department of Transportation for a CMAQ Grant for applying magnesium chloride to certain County Roads within Crook County;

Please indicate the amount of the local match and completion date in the resolution:

WHEREAS, Crook County acknowledges that if funded, the CMAQ project shall be completed prior to December 31, 2027;

WHEREAS, the governing body for Crook County agrees to set aside a minimum of $60,614.00 as a line item in its budget for the required twenty percent (20%) local cash match on the project;

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED that Morgan Ellsbury, Road & Bridge Superintendent is authorized to execute, and the Clerk to attest to, any agreement or application on behalf of Crook County.

Motion made, seconded and carried in an open meeting on August 5, 2024.

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 August 5, 2024, 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 Permit for Installation of Cattle Guard contingent upon receiving the original, the clerk may use the Chairman’s signature stamp on the document once received, with:

Otis and Linda Griffith Family Trust on County Road No. 121 Astin Road

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve the following Permit for Installation of Cattle Guard with:

Philip W. Habeck on County Road No. 68 D Road

Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve two (2) Licenses for Use of County Road or Property for Range Telephone on Crump Road No. 165, and Miller Creek Co. Road No. 166. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

Adjourned for lunch at 12:07 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.

Jasmyne Bryant, Events Coordinator, Fair/Facilities, and Bonnie Stahla, Library Director and Carol Stutzman, Nurse Manager, County Public Health gave a monthly report.

Bob moved to approve and for the chairman to sign a Grant Agreement Between Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Division and Crook County – Workforce Grant $27,493.34. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Tim Lyons, Planning Director, and Caleb Peters, Wastewater Specialist, gave a monthly report.

Charlie Harrison, County Fire Warden, gave a monthly report.

Bob made a motion to sign a letter to Sundance State Bank to increase the credit limit on the Wildland Fire credit card to $25,000.00. Also, for the County to pay Wildland Fire bills prior to monies being received from the state to be reimbursed. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Present for opening of the property insurance bids were via Teams, Carol Stutzman and Ray Gallegos, Account Executive, HUB international. The only bid received was from HUB International Insurance. After discussion, Bob moved to approve the proposal from HUB International for $115,256. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 3:24 o’clock p.m.

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

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.

Steve Dietrich, 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 continued their monthly reports.

Bob moved to approve and for the chairman to sign two (2) Easement and Consent to the Establishment or Alteration of Crook County Road #251 Known as Williams Divide County Road one with Watson Land LLC and one with Green Mountain LLC. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob made a motion to sign a letter to Sundance State Bank to increase the credit limit on the Facilities credit card to $10,000.00. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

After discussion Bob moved to approve and for the chairman to sign a Mineral Royalty Grant Agreement Between the State of Wyoming, Office of State Lands and Investments and Crook County, Wyoming – Courthouse Modernization and Mechanical Infrastructure $500,000.00. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

After discussion, Kelly moved to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. 2024-24

FIRE DANGER ADDITION OF STAGE 2 RESTRICTIONS

WHEREAS, severe to extreme fire situation exists throughout Crook County, created by a heavy fuel load and dry conditions, that could create situations that over-extend the firefighting capability of local government; and,

WHEREAS, Wyoming Statute 35-9-301 through 304 and Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners Rules and Regulations Chapter 9 Governing Fire Danger Closures provides that upon the recommendation of the County Fire Warden, the Board of Crook County Commissioners may close the unincorporated area of the county with certain exceptions, to any form of use by the public or limit such use which shall include the prohibition of any type of open fire for such periods of time as the Board may deem necessary and proper; and

WHEREAS, the County Fire Warden, Charlie Harrison, has recommended that open burning restrictions be increased to Stage 2 Restrictions throughout the county after a reasonable time of notice; and

WHEREAS, Wyoming Statutes 35-10-201 through 208 allow for the regulation of fireworks; and

WHEREAS, any violation of this resolution may be in violation of W.S. 35-9-304 punishable by up to 30 days in jail and up to a $100.00 fine or both together with possible restitution for the cost of fire suppression and damages to others caused by the violation of this resolution; and

WHEREAS, this open burning restriction and ban on the use of fireworks shall begin immediately until rescinded by the Board unless temporarily lifted or imposed by the County Fire Warden.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HEREBY RESOLVES on this date to immediately impose Stage 2 Burn Restrictions in the unincorporated area of Crook County, Wyoming set forth below as follows:

1. Stage 2 Restrictions:

(a) All of the following activities provided in Stage 1 restrictions are PROHIBITED:

(i) Discharge of fireworks, exploding target devices and all outdoor fires in unimproved areas are prohibited.

(ii) All campfires are prohibited.

(iv) Charcoal fires within enclosed grills are prohibited.

(v) Use of acetylene cutting torches, electric arc welders, or metal grinding in a cleared radius of 15ft. burnable materials are prohibited.

(vi) The use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove and open fire branding activities in a cleared radius of 15ft of burnable materials are prohibited.

(b) All campfires are prohibited.

(c) Only devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) that include shut-off valves when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles are permitted.

2. All other open burning or outdoor fires are prohibited except as set forth above or authorized by a permit granted by the County Fire Warden. Applications for a Burn Permit are available from the County Fire Warden. If the County Fire Warden denies the Application, the matter may be appealed to the Board of County Commissioners at their next regular monthly meeting by contacting the County Clerk. The County Fire Warden shall have the authority to determine the terms and conditions of the permit including requirements for proof of liability insurance with a minimum $5 million-dollar general liability policy and a personal agreement to accept total financial responsibility for the cost of firefighting and any damages caused by the fire.

3. The ban is imposed in the unincorporated area of Crook County does not include the listed exceptions set forth in Wyoming Statute 35-10-204, the areas within the incorporated cities and towns within Crook County, or federal lands managed by the Forest Service, Devils Tower National Monument, and BLM. These entities may impose more or less restrictive regulations. The Board of County Commissioners strongly recommend that the above listed agencies ban the sale and discharge of fireworks in their jurisdictions. If permitted, there is no guarantee that County fire units will be able to respond for assistance.

4. The following persons are exempt from the restrictions, and closure orders:

(a) Any federal, state, or local officers engaged in fire, emergency, and law enforcement activities.

(b) Any member of rescue or firefighting force engaged in performance of an official duty.

(c) Exceptions to these restrictions and closures can be made in writing by the appropriate jurisdictional entity.

5. NOTICES The County Fire Warden shall immediately provide a copy of this Resolution to the Wyoming State Forester, County Sheriff, State Land Commissioners, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, Keyhole State Park and other state and federal agencies.

6. PUBLIC NOTICES The County Fire Warden shall immediately post the fire ban signs throughout the county and notify the public through advertisement in each newspaper published in the County, by press release to the Radio and TV stations broadcasting within Crook County, by the Public Alert system, the WYDOT 511 system, County Web Site http://www.crookcounty.wy.gov, Facebook, update BH Fire Restriction Website and any other method that would economically notify the public.

7. If any portion of this resolution is ruled to be not effective by a court the remaining portion of this resolution shall remain in effect.

8. The County Fire Warden has the authority to temporarily lift and or reimpose this Burn Restriction and shall provide notice as set forth in paragraph 5 and 6 above until rescinded by the Board unless temporarily lifted or reimposed by the County Fire Warden during that term.

Dated this 6th day of August 2024

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 August 6, 2024, 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.

Francie Gregory, Executive Director, Weston County Children’s Center/Region III Developmental Services was present via Teams to give an update on services provided.

Sandy Stevens, Executive Director, North East Wyoming Advocacy Resource Center was present to give an update on services provided.

After discussion, the Board decided to have Jayna Watson, AICP RLA, County Planning Consultant move forward with the RFP on updating the County Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Adjourned for lunch at 11:17 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.

Patrick Champa, District Ranger, Bearlodge Ranger District, Ralph Knode, CEO, Strata Energy, Roger Connett, RER and via Teams, Dru Palmer, Dru Consulting, LLC gave monthly reports. Also present were Sarah Pridgeon, Tim Lyons, Mark Koep and via Teams Jeanne Whalen, Whalen Consult.

Mark Koep was present to inform the Commissioners of a concern with certification of election equipment.

Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff was present to discuss disposal of county property.

Bob made a motion as per #13 of Resolution 2018-5 Disposal of County Property Policy, to allow Sheriff employees the opportunity to purchase weapons that were to be traded in on new weapons at trade in value. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 2:05 o’clock p.m. to meet in regular session on September 3 & 4, 2024 at 8:30 o’clock a.m., in the Commissioner’s 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: August 15, 2024