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Commissioners

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

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

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

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited to the Flag.

Kelly moved to approve the minutes from February 7 & 8, 2023. Fred vacated the chair and seconded, Kelly voted aye, Fred vacated the chair and voted aye, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-7

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.

• $5,700.00 to Wyoming Game & Fish Patrol Contract – From Unanticipated Revenues

• $35,607.75 to Deployed Firemen Expenses – From Unanticipated Revenues

Dated this 7th day of March 2023

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

State of Wyoming }

County of Crook }

Signed or attested before me on March 7, 2023, by Fred M. Devish, Chairman and Kelly B. Dennis, Vice-Chairman, Board of Crook County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming.

Melissa Jones, Crook County Clerk

Fred vacated the chair and seconded, Kelly voted aye, Fred vacated the chair and voted aye, motion carried.

The following bills were presented to the Board:

Claimant-Description-Amount Allowed:

Total Wages and Cell Phone Stipend-$221,024.70;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-$64,684.63;Great-West Trust Company, LLC-Deferred Compensation-$2,950.00;NCPERS Wyoming-Life Insurance-$144.00;New York Life Insurance Company-Life Insurance-$379.78;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$3,534.36;Wyoming Retirement System-Retirement-$50,780.02;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance-$67,373.50;21 Electric LLC-Parts & Labor -$2,894.55;Alsco-Shop & Courthouse Supplies-$332.09;American Solutions for Business-Envelopes-$487.20;April D. Gill-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;AT&T Mobility-Cell Phone-$858.40;Axis Forensic Toxicology Inc-Blood Panels-$662.00;Big Horn Telecommunications LLC-Set up voicemail to email -$85.00;Big Horn Tire Inc.-Parts & Labor - Tires-$8,705.96;Black Hills Chemical-Courthouse Supplies -$1,067.04;Black Hills Energy-Electricity -$223.40;Blakeman Propane Inc-Propane-$4,599.17;Bolinger Inc-Parts-$3,100.00;Bomgaars-Supplies-$384.85;CBH Co-op-Fuel-$8,816.28;CDS Supplies -Supplies -$28.41;Centurylink-E911 Telephone-$1,406.38;City of Gillette-Water-$7.50;City of Sundance-Water-$1,842.00;Clearwater X-Spurts Inc-Parts & Labor - Drinking Fountain -$5,700.00;Clinical Lab of the Black Hills-Autopsies-$1,675.00;CNA Surety -Employee Blanket Bond-$374.00;Collins Communications-Fire Alarm Monitoring & Equipment Install-$3,531.03;Computer Projects of IL Inc-Open Fox -$198.00;Croell Inc-Road Base, Cattle Guards, Salt-$10,432.28;Crook County Medical Services District-Title 25, Prisoner Meals & Foods-$4,485.07;Crook County Treasurer-Postage-$25.28;Custom Auto & Truck-Services, Parts-$1,784.47;Dakota Equipment Rental-Parts-$165.65;David Osborne-Mileage-$83.32;Day Law-Attorney Fees-$210.00;Decker’s Market-Supplies-$29.85;Donna’s Dinner-Meal - Annual Meeting -$57.00;Elsa Bush-Uniform sewing -$95.00;Fastenal Company -Parts-$228.14;Fedex-Postage-$10.25;Forestry Suppliers-Parts-$5,155.37;Fred Devish-Mileage-$355.67;Fremont Motor Co-2022 Ford -$36,547.52;Galls, LLC-Uniform Accessories -$1,599.73;Gillette Steel Center-Channels-$366.00;Glaxosmithkline-Vaccines-$7,170.03;Grimm’s Pump & Industrial Supply-Fillrite Kits -$569.50;Grossenburg Implement Inc-Oil & Filter-$89.09;Hills Product Group Inc -Yellow Pine -$951.30;Hulett Electric LLC-Labor & Parts-$150.00;Hulett Hardware-Parts-$21.98;Humprey Law LLC-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$783.98;IAAO-Membership Dues -$240.00;Integritas Forum LLC-Parts-$174.49;Jagow Enterprises Inc-Contract Hauling -$5,352.86;Jeffrey Hodge-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;Joe Dirt Septic & Drain LLC-Porta Potty Cleanout-$168.00;JW Services, LLC-Contract Hauling-$2,256.20;Kelly B. Dennis-Mileage-$117.90;Kimball Midwest-Terminals & Coveralls -$228.90;KLH Consulting Inc-Computer Services-$14,767.42;Lakeview Wash & Storage-Car Washes-$107.59;Lubnau Law Offices PC-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$30.00;Lycox Enterprises Inc -Parts-$27,840.00;Marco Technologies LLC-Copy / Maint Fee-$115.52;Mary Sell, CPA-Prepare 1099s-$100.00;Max Robert Masters-GIS Consulting & Mapping Contract-$3,400.00;Melissa L Jones -Mileage-$346.89;Mikes Equipment Service-Parts & Labor -$100.00;Monument Health -Morgue Use -$461.00;Morgan Ellsbury-Monthly Truck Lease-$1,100.00;Motorola Solutions, Inc.-Evidence Library Storage -$345.48;Northern Truck Equipment Corp-Spring Kit -$71.71;Pfizer Inc -Vaccine -$4,929.32;Powder River Energy Corp.-Electricity -$6,559.60;Print Market-Vinyl Numbers & Decals -$430.94;Quality Agg & Construction, Inc-J Base-$1,787.45;Quill Corporation-Office Supplies-$200.37;Range Telephone Cooperative Inc-Telephone-$14,220.08;Raquel Croell-County Website Maintenance-$500.00;Ray Allen Manufacturing -Heat Detector -$166.98;Retractable Technologies Inc -Needles -$258.52;RG Trucking-Contract Hauling-$12,900.48;Roemer-Service Contract -$2,200.00;Rolling Metal Sinclair-Fuel-$110.48;Sanofi Pasteur, Inc-Vaccine-$1,437.61;Sign Solutions-Signs-$4,079.62;Sundance Chamber of Commerce-Annual Dues-$60.00;Sundance Extinguisher LLC-Inspections & New Extinguishers-$467.00;Sundance Hardware & Sporting Goods-Parts & Supplies-$149.54;Sundance State Bank-Direct Deposit Fees-$10.04;Sundance Times-Ads, Legal-$1,330.50;Svoboda Trucking-Contract Hauling -$18,299.12;Sylvestri Customization -Monthly Website Maintenance -$1,200.00;Timberline Services Inc.-Snow Removal & Contract Hauling -$28,234.25;Top Office Products, Inc.-Office Supplies, Copies-$320.36;Town of Hulett-Water-$62.30;Town of Moorcroft-Water-$67.69;Tracy Motor Company-Parts & Supplies-$2,365.57;Trumax Transport Inc -Snow Removal -$1,750.00;Uncle Louie’s Diner -Meal - FAB Annual Meeting -$847.00;US Post Office -PO Box Dues -$94.00;Visa-Adobe, Internet, Supplies, Vaccine, Office Supplies, Chair, Travel Expenses, Miter Saw, Paint Supplies, Cell Phone-$7,732.39;Visionary Broadband-Internet Service-$977.77;WACERS-Membership Dues -$25.00;Wells Plumbing & Farm Supply -Parts -$4,438.04;Wendy DePina -Mileage-$47.68;Western Communications-Battery -$55.33;Western Stationers-Office Supplies-$1,042.14;Wilbur Repair-Parts & Labor -$3,712.21;Windstream-Telephone-$87.92;WY County & Prosecuting Attorneys Assoc-Membership Dues -$300.00;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$709.15;WY Secretary of State -Notary -$60.00;WY State Forestry Division-Parts & FY 24 Premium -$10,907.23;WYDOT-Financial Services-Project Expenditures-$1,068.78;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Vision Insurance -$10.58;Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy -Academy Fees -$574.50;Wyoming Machinery Company-Labor & Parts-$11,522.02;Total-$737,254.60;

Kelly moved to allow all bills as presented. Fred vacated the chair and seconded, Kelly voted aye, Fred vacated the chair and voted aye, motion carried.

The following monthly collections were collected:

County Clerk $11,170.00

County Sheriff $32,031.74

Clerk of District Court $2,912.39

Circuit Court $8,889.00

Public Health (January) $12,572.68

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

Dan Thomas, County Assessor: Last month our office processed 56 deeded land transfers. The field crew is starting in on their appraisal education journey. I met with the Department of Revenue in my Office March 6th-7th, they are helping me with setting land values. I am starting to finalize analysis for the 2023 Tax year. We are working the numbers to convert our Computer Assisted Drawing program (CAD) to version 7 this month as well.

Julie Altaffer, Clerk of District Court: Total Receipts: $13,653.47 with $2,912.39 to the County 13 new case filings 43 record searches 7 passports 1 criminal appeal in process 135 open cases We are still working on qualifying Crook County residents for jury duty for the coming year. We received back 203 questionnaires and have been working on getting all that information entered into our jury system. We mailed out 97 second notice letters and questionnaires. The jury panel is to be in place by April 1st, so we are working hard on getting them all processed. Training is ongoing with Chris; she is now learning all about our child support program and is currently doing training on security measures involved with this program. We are staying busy with increased foot traffic and phone calls, with folks picking up passport applications, civil pro se packets for domestic relations and of course, potential jurors.

Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer: Total receipts were $3,195,306.82 and disbursements to the county, county boards, towns and schools were $939,238.07. In February we did 6,188 transactions. We were very busy at the counter and a lot of mail for motor vehicle renewals. I reviewed the audit and emailed Leonard questions regarding the investment totals on the audit. He made his corrections.

Melissa Jones, County Clerk: recorded 396 documents, made 237 titles, met with Joe and Carolyn to discuss Fair futurities, attended the Be Well Coalition meeting, worked with Alex on getting bids for a Salary study, tracking legislation, attended the Compensation Committee meeting, attended the Department Head meeting, renewed the County’s SAMs registration, working on grant tracking, hired Hilari Anderson and she started on the 27th, met with Joe and Katie to work on the Be Well Coalition MOU, met with WEBT on our yearly insurance renewal, met with Tammy to go over the County Audit.

Joe Baron, County Attorney: Criminal Cases in the past month: New Cases: 36 Closed Cases: 32 Current Case Load: 92 In Court:37 times Juvenile Cases: We also have 11 cases involving minors in Juvenile Court or Diversion. Civil work. Reviewed Large Acreage Subdivision exemption request and prepared draft Orders for the Commissioners; reviewed bond forms; reviewed ownership of real property issues; attended Settlement Conference with private attorneys and the Attorney General concerning additional Opioid Settlements to the County; assisted with comments concerning legislation for Sheriff’s Association, County Attorneys and legislators. Finalized language for the Forest Service MOU, and the MOU with Whalen Consult, LLC. Reviewed MOUs for Public Health, County Fire, and completed draft of the KLH IT Contract. Worked on Wyoming County & Prosecuting Attorneys Association Treasurer matters.

County Commissioners: Kelly: attended various county meetings, traveled some roads, took a few calls on county business. Fred: conversations with Larry, Morgan & Mel on county business. Took questions on private road issues.

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

Receipts: Property Tax $1,253,277.48

Sales Tax $215,305.08

Misc Receipts $731,289.27

County Auto $995,434.99

Total $3,195,306.82

Disbursements Towns $138,878.29

County Boards/Districts $78,440.18

State & Local School $307,329.29

DOT/DOR/Rebate $414,590.31

Redemption $939,238.07

Total

Investments Sundance State Bank

Wyo-Star $418,332.81 $1,180.99 (January interest)

Wyoming Class $3,064,015.33 $11,408.06 (January interest)

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

Present for opening of the bids for the L shaped barn at the Fairgrounds were Larry Schommer, Morgan Ellsbury, Tammy Jundt and via Teams, Joe Baron. There were five bids received. After discussion, Kelly moved to approve the bid from Boyd Doyle for $3,765.00. Fred vacated the chair and seconded, Kelly voted aye, Fred vacated the chair and voted aye, motion carried.

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 and County Clerk Melissa Jones. Member Bob Latham was absent.

Bonnie Stahla, Library Director, Carolyn Fowler, Secretary, Fair Board, Carol Stutzman, Nurse Manager, Katie Allen, Prevention Specialist & Trish Habeck Public Health gave monthly reports.

Kelly moved to approve for the Fair Board transfer funds as follows: $950.00 to Port-o-Pots-from Depreciation Reserves. Notice is further given that a hearing of the Fair Board of Crook County, Wyoming will be held on April 3, 2023, at 6:00 o’clock p.m. to consider such proposed budget amendment. Fred vacated the chair and seconded, Kelly voted aye, Fred vacated the chair and voted aye, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve and for the chairman to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between Crook County and Be Well Coalition along with Attachments 3 & 4. Fred vacated the chair and seconded, Kelly voted aye, Fred vacated the chair and voted aye, motion carried.

Tim Lyons, Planning Administrator, gave a monthly report.

Doug Leis, County Fire Warden gave a monthly report.

Tom Overstreet, KLH, via Teams, gave a monthly update.

The meeting adjourned at 3:28 o’clock p.m.

Wednesday, March 8, 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.

Present for the large acreage subdivision exemption hearing for Colt Massie and Pine Island were Colt Massie, Trish Massie, Jeff Waliezer, Roni Stead, Sarah Pridgeon, Tracey Jundt and Morgan Ellsbury, via Teams were Bruce Perryman and Ethel Rabel also present were Tim Lyons, Planning Administrator and Joe Baron, County Attorney.

Bob moved to deny the application on the 8 tracts presented by Colt Massie. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Present for the presentation of the FY21-22 County audit were Paul Stille, County Auditor, Julie Altaffer and Tammy Jundt, via Teams were Joe Baron and Sarah Pridgeon. Paul presented and explained the audit. A couple of questions were presented. Bob moved to approve the Representation Letter from the County to the Auditor. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Adjourned for lunch at 12:26 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.

Troy Bifulco, VP of Information and Technology and Services, PRECorp, Bridget Helms, Office Manager, and Sarah Anderson, Program Coordinator, CCNRD, Jeanne Whalen, Whalen Consult, LLC and Via Teams, Dru Bower, Dru Consult, gave updates on items of interest.

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

Bob moved to approve a Contract with Independent Contractor for Services and or Materials, with Whalen Consult, LLC. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motioned carried.

Bob moved to approve 2 Supplemental Applications for the Federal Natural Resource Policy Account (FNRPA) Funding for the BLM Resource Management Revision and the Black Hills National Forest Plan Revision. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve a Memorandum of Understanding Between the Wyoming County Commissioners Association and Counties Serving as Cooperative Agencies in the Bureau of Land Management’s Effort to Revise the Greater Sage Grouse Plan. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to approve a Memorandum of Understanding Between Crook County Commissioners and The United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management by and through the Wyoming BLM State Director Regarding Plan Amendments for the management of Greater Sage-Grouse. Discussion was held. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to grant Pronghorn Construction, Ltd, Keogh an exemption from the Large Acreage Subdivision Regulations as a development that was well established prior to regulations going into effect, and to approve the Order Approving Large Acreage Subdivision Exemption setting forth findings in the matter. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Cindy Stephenson and Kristin Bernatow, WEBT via Teams, presented the annual renewal policy for employee health, dental, vision and life insurance.

Kelly moved to approve the health insurance proposal with WEBT. There will be no changes from last year, with the County paying 100% of an employee only policy and 80% on all other health plans. Vision and dental will be employee paid. There was a 13.5% increase to the health insurance premiums and a 7.0% increase to the dental premiums. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Jeanne Whalen was present to discuss the Aladdin Fire Hall and the Aladdin Community Building.

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 April 4, 2023, at 8:30 o’clock a.m. to consider such proposed resolution.

$3,765.00 to Repairs; Maintenance of Fair Buildings-from Unanticipated Reserves

Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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.

The meeting adjourned at 2:58 o’clock p.m. to meet in regular session on April 4 & 5, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock a.m., in the Commissioner Room at the Courthouse in Sundance, Wyoming.

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.

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

Bob Latham, Member Attested: Melissa Jones, County Clerk

Publish: March 16, 2023

 
 
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