Aladdin Water District addresses all concerns

A year ago, amid concern that the Aladdin Water District was failing to comply with its reporting requirements, the Crook County Commissioners considered the idea of dissolving it. After agreeing the changes that need to be made for the district to function effectively, members of its new board and the commissioners agreed to allow it to remain on the books for a probationary period.

That period has now come to an end, and new board president Randy Strader visited the commission to list the changes that have been made across the year.

“We’ve met every requirement,” he said.

The first item about which the commission had been concerned was record-keeping. The district was asked to ensure that minutes, treasury reports, contracts are filed with the county clerk on a monthly basis to be posted on the county website

“I think in the year and a half we’ve been doing this, we’ve probably got more minutes than in the entirety time of the water board district being formed,” Strader quipped, confirming that this request has been met.

The second item was to hold a board election, and Strader said this, too, “has been taken care of”.

A bookkeeper has also been hired on a monthly basis for tasks such as taxes.

“She has been a big asset,” said Strader.

The district was asked to determine and update its actual boundaries, which he said has been done with assistance of the county attorney and assessor.

“It’s amazing that, after all this time, we’re all on the same book,” he said.

Additionally, an annual budget has been prepared by the accountant, a certified water operator has been hired, a water service agreement has been entered into with Wyoming Water Development.

Midwest Assistance Programs (MAPS) was used last year to complete the requirement for board members to receive board training annually. New training will be provided within the next few weeks for the new member coming on board, Strader said.

The only thing outstanding is the individual water meters for district customers. Even this, Strader said, is at 85%, and he intends to complete the requirement in the near future.

Commending the board for its work, the county commissioners moved to find that the district has complied with the requirements set out for it. This removes the suspension and ensures the district can remain on the county’s books.