Commissioners

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

Tuesday, July 11, 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 June 6, 7 & 19, 2023. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to accept the bond for Randy Leinen, Treasurer, Crook County Library Board. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved per W.S. 18-3-515 to request that the County Clerk and County Treasurer submit their annual abstracts to the Board no later than September 30, 2023. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following monthly collections were collected:

County Clerk $16,627.50

County Sheriff $37,922.50

Clerk of District Court $4,316.00

Circuit Court $14,131.00

Public Health (May) $5,341.27

Present for the Final Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 were Jeff Hodge, Julie Altaffer, Tammy Jundt, Bonnie Stahla and Joe Baron. Discussion was held, due to a last-minute change in the Fair Budget, Bob moved to continue the hearing until 2 p.m. July 11, 2023. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

Dan Thomas, County Assessor: (report submitted via email) Last month I attended my abstract hearing with the State Board of Equalization in Cheyenne. Our field crew has begun the summer County sweeps in Sundance this summer. There were 61 deeds filed in June which is 36 less than last year at this time. I had just gotten done submitting all my evidence on all formal appeals for the 2023 tax year. And I will attend the Wyoming County Assessors Association Summer meetings this week.

Julie Altaffer, Clerk of District Court: Total Receipts: $6,211.46 with $4,316.00 to the County 13 new case filings 1 new appeal 34 record searches 4 passports 3 criminal appeals in process House Bill 14 passed, so as of July 1st, all our filing fees are now $160.00, making it uniform across the board for filing cases. We both completed online security training for our Child Support Program. I attended a special budget meeting with the County Commissioners, the Clerk’s Association Summer Meeting in Buffalo on June 21-22, the Department Heads Meeting and a Court Security Committee Meeting.

Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer: Total receipts were $3,651,151.12 and disbursements to the county, county boards, towns and schools were $2,836,946.80. In June we did 2,609 transactions. I worked on the county budget and entered May revenue on the budget worksheet. We were a little slower but steady with customers at the counter. I attended the special budget meeting. We received four pallets of the new series plates, about 160 boxes. We started labeling them and inventorying.

Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff: Presented radio stats & office stats, dealing with issues involving SD plates, Strata and speeding.

Joe Baron, County Attorney: Criminal Cases in the past month: New Cases:73 Closed Cases: 63 Current Case Load: 84 In Court: 56 times Juvenile Cases: 22 cases involving minors in Juvenile Court or Diversion. Civil work. Answered easement questions. Reviewed IT Contract with KLH. Attended LECC in Lander for training, LUP&Z meeting for zoning discussion and changes in subdivision rules. Advise law enforcement officers. Trained staff at CCMSD concerning Title 25 involuntary hospitalizations. Gave opinions concerning County Clerk’s duties, Commissioners duties as relating to budget, discussed a Large Acreage Subdivision Regulation allowing for the use of the boundary line exemptions. Reviewed Applications for the uses of Opioid Settlement Funds. Prepared notice for the South Mountain Road No. 281 vacation, and reviewed land records for notice with Road and Bridge Secretary and mailing with the County Clerk. Worked with Assessor on CBOE matters.

Melissa Jones, County Clerk: Office made 366 titles, recorded 481 documents; titles are up from last year, documents are down. Been working on budget, tracking special district budgets, working on grants with Public Health and County Attorney, worked on the opioid application, got a certificate of service sent out on Rd No. 281, got the postcards sent out to Colony, dealing with lots of BOE correspondence, attended the Clerk’s meetings in Sheridan, the department head meeting and a virtual meeting with the Crook County Leadership Team.

County Commissioners: Bob: Attended grant summit in Sheridan, Fair Board meeting and took a call from a constituent on allocation of his tax dollars. Kelly: attended various board meetings in the county, took a call from a constituent on allocation of his tax dollars Fred: calls on speeding on county roads & blading/maintaining county roads, attended the grant summit in Sheridan and went out to view the construction project at the fairgrounds.

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

Receipts: Property Tax $ 1,530,265.04

Sales Tax $ 204,956.37

Misc Receipts $ 1,701,992.92

County Auto $ 213,936.79

Total $ 3,651,151.12

Disbursements Towns $ 187,933.67

County Boards/Districts $ 435,216.22

State & Local School $ 1,990,657.16

DOT/DOR/Rebate $ 223,139.75

Redemption -

Total $ 2,836,946.80

Investments Sundance State Bank -

Wyo-Star $ 423,537.96 $ 1,431.67 May interest

Wyoming Class $ 3,112,710.60 $ 13,181.75 May interest

Jeanne Whalen, Whalen Consult, LLC, was present to give a monthly update.

Jeremy Holt was present on behalf of the Sundance Economic Development Commission, discussing developments/growth around towns, specifically Sundance.

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

Joe and Larry discussed the contract with the Architect on the work in the Courthouse basement.

Adjourned for lunch at 12: 06 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.

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

Bob moved to adopt the Opioid Funding Application process as advertised. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to accept the Opioid Application from Crook County Public Health. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Gabriel Skaria was present to discuss the county’s assessment process and how tax money is allocated.

Present for the Final Budget Hearing for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 were Jeff Hodge, Joe Baron, Tammy Jundt, Julie Altaffer, Doug Leis, Larry Schommer & Morgan Ellsbury. Discussion was held and no written or oral objections were received regarding the presented final budget. Bob moved to approve the following resolutions for the Crook County Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Final Budget:

APPROPRIATION RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, on the 11th day of July 2023, Melissa Jones, the budget making authority, prepared and submitted to the Board a county budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year ending June 30, 2024; and

WHEREAS, such a budget was duly entered at large upon the records of this Board and a copy thereof was made available for public inspection at the office of the County Clerk; and

WHEREAS, notice of a public hearing on such budget, together with the summary of said budget was published in the Sundance Times, a legal newspaper published and of general circulation in the county on the 29th day of June 2023; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on such budget at the time and place specified in said notice, at which time all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard; and

WHEREAS, following such public hearing certain alterations and revisions were made in such proposed budget, all of which more fully appear in the minutes of the Board;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners that the county budget, as so revised and altered, be adopted as the official county budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following appropriations be made for the 2023-2024 fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 and that the expenditures of each officer, department or spending agency be limited to the amount herein appropriated.

Dated this 11th day of July 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 July 11, 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 GENERAL FUND:

B- 1 County Commissioners 221,931.81

B- 2 County Clerk 286,833.62

B- 3 County Treasurer 289,855.30

B- 4 County Assessor 285,696.02

B- 5 County Sheriff 1,234,379.90

B- 6 County Attorney 423,303.85

B- 9 County Coroner 71,772.00

B-10 Extension Department 94,649.00

B-11 District Court 139,873.02

B-13 County Facilities 519,039.40

B-14 Road and Bridge 4,744,297.93

B-15 E911 Services 84,675.47

B-16 Jail 701,277.92

B-17 Elections 27,340.00

B-18 Health Nurse 231,920.00

B-19 Special Services 158,990.34

B-20 Other General Accounts 2,587,040.37

B-21 Fire Fund Donations 294,494.23

B-22 Capital Improvement Fund 759,000.00

B-24 Fire 296,200.00

B-25 County Road Fund 600,000.00

B-26 Court Costs 132,084.32

B-28 Planning 228,249.63

B-29 Abandoned Vehicles 2,000.00

B-30 Emergency Management 9,000.00

B-32 Federal Grants 988,408.00

B-33 State Grants 70,383.00

B-35 Haul Road Restoration 284,474.22

TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS 15,767,624.35

B-97 Emergency Reserve 891,249.83

B-98 Depreciation Reserve 697,286.00

B-99 Cash Reserve 2,600,000.00

TOTAL REQUIREMENTS 19,956,160.18

County Fair 204,575.24

County Library 824,670.73

Weed and Pest 669,619.62

W & P Special Management 593,360.62

TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS 22,248,386.39

RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE INCOME NECESSARY TO FINANCE BUDGET

WHEREAS, on the 11th day of July, 2023 this Board adopted a County Budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 calling for the following appropriations:

General Fund 19,956,160.18

Fair Fund 204,575.24

Library Fund 824,670.73

Weed and Pest 669,619.62

W & P Special Management 593,360.62

TOTAL 22,248,386.39

And WHEREAS, after deducting all other cash and estimated revenue, it is necessary that the following amounts be raised by general taxation, and in order to raise such sums of money, it is necessary that levies be made for the 2023-2024 fiscal year ending June 30, 2024 as shown opposite each fund:

Amount to be-raised Mill Levy

General Fund 3,373,633.44 10.282

Fair Fund 125,503.27 0.383

Library Fund 437,964.00 1.335

Weed and Pest 328,110.62 1.000

W & P Special Management 328,110.62 1.000

NOW, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners that the foregoing levies be made for the 2023-2024 fiscal year ending June 30, 2024.

Dated this 11th day of July 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 July 11, 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.

Tim Lyons, Planning Director, introduced his new employee, Caleb Peters, and gave monthly reports on the Planning Department and Land Use Planning & Zoning Commission.

Bob moved to approve the 2023 Addendum to the Joint Agreement to Take Advantage of an ESRI Small Government Enterprise Agreements with Town of Hulett and City of Sundance. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

Present to discuss the applicants for the Fire Warden position were Ed Robinson, Doug Leis and via conference call Charles Harrison. The Board offered the position to Charlie starting at $50,000/year.

The meeting adjourned at 3:15 o’clock p.m.

Wednesday, July 12, 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.

Bob moved to approve a Special Improvement District Instruction and Approval Form and a Special Improvement District Assessment Request Form for Sundance Canyon Ranch Improvement and Service District and for Kara Circle and Windy Improvement and Service District. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

Bob moved to approve a License for Use of County Road or Property for Levi Hertz on Geis Road No. 193. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Present to discuss the Colony Community Building were Roxie Dacar, Barb Davis, Wayne & Mary Wolff, Janet Jensen, Larry Schommer, Morgan Ellsbury and via Teams, Sarah Pridgeon.

Present for the annual State Transportation Improvement Plan presentation were Mark Hughes, Morgan Ellsbury, Mike Bush, Brad Marchant, Josh Jundt, Laura Dalles & Scott Taylor.

Adjourned for lunch at 11:51 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.

Bridget Helms, Office Manager, CCNRD and Patrick Champa, District Ranger, Bearlodge Ranger District, gave updates.

Sam Burke was present to discuss an ARPA grant application.

Bob moved to approve the following resolution and the ARPA Grants Certification Statement:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECT ARPA GRANTS

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-14

Entitled: A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECT ARPA GRANTS APPLICATION TO THE STATE LOAN AND INVESTMENT BOARD ON BEHALF ON THE GOVERNING BODY FOR COUNTY OF CROOK.

FOR THE PURPOSE OF: building a Crook County Consolidated Public Response Facility

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS, the governing body of County of Crook desires to participate in the LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECT ARPA GRANT program to assist in financing the request; and

WHEREAS, the governing body of County of Crook recognizes the need for the request; and

WHEREAS, the Local Government Project ARPA Grant program requires that certain criteria be met, as described in the State Loan and Investment Board’s Rules and Regulations governing the program, and to the best of our knowledge this application meets those criteria; and

WHEREAS, if any of the disbursed grant funds are later deemed to not comply with the SLIB criteria or the criteria of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the grant applicant agrees to repay the ineligible grant funds within 15 days of such finding to the Office of State Lands and Investments.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF CROOK COUNTY, WYOMING that a grant application in the amount of $2,153,700.00 be submitted to the State Loan and Investment Board for consideration at the next Board meeting after application processing to assist in funding the Crook County Consolidated Public Response Facility.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Fred M. Devish, Chairman, Crook County Commissioners and Virginia (Sam) Burke, Secretary, Road & Bridge, Fire and Facilities are hereby designated as the authorized representatives of Crook County, Wyoming to act on behalf of the Governing Body on all matters relating to this grant application.

PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED THIS 12th day of July, 2023.

Board of County Commissioners in and for Crook County, Wyoming by Fred M. Devish, Chairman and Virginia (Sam) Burke, Secretary, Road & Bridge, Fire and Facilities.

State of Wyoming }

County of Crook }

Signed or attested before me on July 12, 2023, by Fred M. Devish, Chairman Board of Crook County Commissioners and Virginia (Sam) Burke, Secretary, Road & Bridge, Fire and Facilities in and for Crook County, Wyoming.

Melissa Jones, Crook County Clerk

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

The meeting adjourned at 2:27 o’clock p.m. to meet in regular session on August 1 & 2, 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: July 20, 2023