Commissioners

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

Tuesday, October 1, 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.

Upon the request of the County Clerk, Kelly moved to change the Commissioner dates in November to Monday and Tuesday, November 4 & 5, 2024. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to ratify and approve the minutes from September 3, 4 & 18, 2024. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve and for the Chairman to sign the annual Statement of Receipts and Expenditures for the period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, as per W.S. 18-3-515. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to accept “Disclosure Statement for Investment of Public Funds” from the following people: Mary Farnsworth & Mark Graben. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following bills were presented to the Board:

Claimant-Description-Amount Allowed:

Total Wages and Cell Phone Stipend-$294,111.53;AFLAC-Insurance-$3,391.94;Clerk of the District Court-Garnishment-$226.00;Crook County Payroll Tax Account-Withholding & Social Security-$90,257.60;Great-West Trust Company, LLC-Deferred Compensation-$5,130.00;NCPERS Wyoming-Life Insurance-$128.00;New York Life Insurance Company-Life Insurance-$379.78;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$5,987.39;Wyoming Retirement System-Retirement-$64,333.29;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance-$93,231.17;A & B Business Inc-Copies & Maint Agreement-$461.54;Alsco-Shop & Courthouse Supplies-$347.64;April D. Gill-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;AT&T Mobility-Cell Phone-$1,007.28;Axis Forensic Toxicology Inc -Drug Panel-$305.00;Axon Enterprise Inc -Taser Cert & Equipment-$12,191.15;Big Horn Tires Inc.-Tires & Batteries-$1,685.26;Black Hills Chemical Co.-Courthouse Supplies -$737.50;Black Hills Energy-Electricity -$35.23;Black Hills Truck & Trailer -Parts-$571.93;Black Hills Window Cleaning Inc-Window Cleaning-$600.00;Blakeman Propane Inc -Propane-$214.24;BN Doors LLC-Service-$85.00;Bomgaars-Supplies -$924.90;Caleb Peters-Mileage-$66.81;CBH Co-op-Fuel-$27,595.83;CDS Supplies-Hardware-$44.97;Centurylink-E911 Telephone-$204.80;City of Gillette-Water-$7.50;City of Sundance-Water-$2,651.73;Clear Choice Headsets & Technology LLC-Headsets Equipment-$243.00;Climate Solutions Inc -Parts & Labor -$998.35;Coffee Cup Fuel Stop -Fuel-$223.92;Colin Shamion Trucking-Contract Hauling -$17,620.91;Collins Communications-Fire Alarm Monitoring & Labor -$1,699.18;Contractors Supply Inc -Parts-$225.55;Croell Inc-Road Base-$4,829.63;Crook County Medical Services Dist.-Medical Exams-$464.00;Dana Safety Supply Inc -Parts-$415.75;Decker’s Market-Supplies -$31.24;Dru Consulting LLC-Consulting Services -$1,500.00;Dustbusters Inc -Mag For Dust Suppression-$736,769.03;Election Systems & Software -Ballots, Programming & Toner-$4,766.41;Eve Herrick-Fire Expenses-$75.00;Fastenal Company -Wipers-$235.30;Fedex-Postage-$21.22;FireHoseDirect-Gravel-$3,829.45;Fisher Sand & Gravel-Gravel-$116,588.99;Floyds Truck Center -Parts-$385.24;Galls LLC-Tourniquet & Case-$154.95;Gantz Backhoe Service-Clean Cattleguards-$4,026.00;GHCC-Room Rental-$300.00;GlaxoSmithKline-Vaccines-$4,472.93;Glen Gardner-Fire Expenses-$75.00;Global Heat Transfer of WY Inc -Parts & Labor-$2,281.67;Good Electric Inc-Parts & Labor-$3,750.00;Grossenburg Implement-Parts-$747.16;HDR Engineering Inc -Professional Services-$9,208.84;Hub Int’L Mountain States LTD-Endorsement-$1,656.00;Humphrey Law LLC -Court Appointed Attorney-$1,167.80;Integritas-Supplies -$130.34;Iron Creek Services LLC-Contract Hauling -$2,791.41;Jeffrey Hodge-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$65.00;JonGear & Machine Inc -Gear Boxes-$7,769.34;Jordan Ann & Chancy Miller-1/2 Year Water Access-$1,500.00;Joseph M Baron -Reimbursement-$250.00;Josh Anderson -Fire Expenses-$75.00;Karen’s Delivery -Box -$42.00;Kathleen R Allen-Travel Expenses-$252.73;Kelly B. Dennis-Mileage-$152.76;Kimball Midwest-Parts-$134.00;KLH Consulting Inc-Computer Services-$15,519.50;Kyle Shamion Trucking -Contract Hauling -$19,368.15;Lakeview Wash & Storage -Car Washes-$120.65;Lenzes Printing-Envelopes-$727.50;Leo Riley & Co-Audit-$15,000.00;Liberty Law Offices PC-Court Appointed Attorney-$8,532.69;Living Lightly Mental Health -Professional Services-$185.00;Marco Technologies LLC-Copy / Maint. Fees-$87.52;Matthew Bender & Co Inc -WY Code Books-$278.31;Max Robert Masters-GIS Consulting & Mapping Contract-$3,400.00;MG Oil Company-Supplies & Oil-$3,533.42;Morgan Ellsbury-Truck Lease-$1,100.00;National Sheriff’s Association-Dues -$125.00;Office of State Lands & Investments-Applications-$200.00;Onsolve LLC-CodeRED-$16,341.84;Paradise Foods-Fuel-$361.73;Performance Automatics & Service-Parts-$632.90;Powder River Energy Corp.-Electricity -$5,306.77;Powerplan BF-Parts-$764.00;Quill Corporation -Office Supplies-$950.78;Range Telephone Cooperative Inc-Telephone -$6,846.50;Raquel Croell-County Website Maintenance-$500.00;RG Trucking-Contract Hauling -$9,784.25;Ringer Law PC-Court Appointed Attorney-$695.00;Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs-Registration -$275.00;Roger Showman-Deployed Firemen Expenses-$14,756.00;Rolling Metal Sinclair-Fuel & Part-$298.34;Saddle Tree Ranch Trucking LLC-Contract Hauling -$13,201.38;Sam Waugh-Reimbursement-$55.00;Sanofi Pasteur Inc -Vaccines-$6,471.37;Sara Fleenor-Travel Expenses-$813.84;Scott Peterson Motors Inc -Parts-$595.57;Shamion Trucking-Contract Hauling -$17,853.50;Sign Solutions-Signs-$249.32;Sirchi Acquisition Co LLC-Evidence Bags-$243.02;Slattery Enterprises Inc-Porta Potty Service-$1,385.00;State of Wyoming -Mainframe Services-$79.94;Sundance FAS-Break-Windshield Replacement-$319.59;Sundance Hardware & Sporting Goods-Parts & Supplies-$392.58;Sundance State Bank -Direct Deposit Fees-$10.53;Sundance Times-Legal Publications, Display Ads & Notary Stamp -$2,435.73;Svoboda Trucking -Contract Hauling -$19,733.23;Timberline Services Inc -Contract Hauling -$45,723.22;Tom Lubas -Fire Expenses-$75.00;Top Office Products, Inc.-Copies-$503.14;Torgersons LLC-Parts-$169.13;Town of Hulett-Water & License -$62.30;Town of Moorcroft-Water-$70.70;Town of Pine Haven-Reimbursement-$467.21;Tracy Motor Company-Parts & Supplies-$1,268.04;Trisha Habeck-Mileage-$194.03;Vericor LLC-Supplies-$2,688.00;Vilas Pharmacy-Jail Meds & Test Strips-$29.59;Visa-Adobe, Supplies, Postage, Travel Expenses, Cable, Internet, Straight Talk, Pressure Washer, Star link, Equipment-$23,881.93;Visionary Broadband-Internet Service-$996.71;Wells Plumbing & Farm Supply-Parts $3,859.25;Werner Construction LLC-2008 Ford-$46,750.00;Western Stationers-Office Supplies -$317.70;Whalen Consult LLC-Consulting Services -$300.26;Wildland Warehouse-Helmets-$620.99;Windstream-Telephone -$118.25;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$2,440.39;WY Retirement System-Firemen’s Retirement-$525.00;WYDOT Motor Vehicle Division -2025 County Plates-$1,690.00;WYDOT-Financial Services-Project Expenditures-$13.61;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Cobra VSP-$14.90;Wyoming Fire Academy -Class-$150.00;Wyoming Machinery Company-Parts & Labor-$15,730.51;Wyoming Public Health Laboratory-STD Testing-$28.00;Total-$1,877,103.42;

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

The following monthly collections were collected:

County Clerk $16,695.25

County Sheriff $34,376.58

Clerk of District Court $3,282.40

Public Health (August) $3,828.47

Bob moved to approve and for the chairman to sign a Commercial Lines Coverage Review between Crook County and Continental Western Group. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

An application was received for the open county position on the Promotion Board. After discussion, Bob moved to make the following Board appointments:

Korina Ike-Crook County Promotion Board Member – Three Year Term

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Joseph Baron, County Attorney, Julie Crawford, Clerk of District Court, Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff and Teresa Lang, Deputy County Treasurer were present to go over items of interest within their departments.

Dan Thomas, County Assessor: This last month in the Assessor’s office 55 deeds of ownership transfer were processed. Numerous field reviews completed both new construction as well as sale reviews. I attended IAAO 311 class in Gillette my Deputy’s also attended class in Casper and Cody Wyoming. I attended the IT committee meeting and WACO. This month we will focus on new construction reviews. Long term Homeowner exemptions are now available, and we have received roughly 50 completed ones so far.

Joseph M. Baron, County Attorney: Criminal Cases in the past month: New Cases: 20 Closed Cases: 30 Current Case Load: 69 In Court: 44 times Juvenile/Diversion Cases: 38 Worked on Criminal cases. Staff and I took several calls from law enforcement on evenings and weekends. Attended meetings. Assisted county officers and departments with legal questions. Continued working on county road matters. Went to WACO in Rocks Springs for required 15 hours of continuing legal education [CLE]. Shared various programs with other county attorneys and other county officers. Reviewed an average of 50+ work related emails per day; and 50+ non-work-related emails per day. Took personal leave. Reviewed and responded to Opioid Funding reports. Worked on ALVA mapping issue. Reviewed several subdivision requests and matters. Also, responded to cemetery questions. Researched proposed legislation.

Melissa Jones, County Clerk: recorded 488 documents and made 331 titles, reviewed a special district petition, completed the Clerk’s F-66, completed fixed assets reports for the auditor, held the post election ballot audit; performed additional tests as promised, all came out as expected, sent out UOCAVA absentee ballots on 9/20, attended the IT Committee meetings, met to discuss Town of Alva plat issues, participated in the e-cycling event, attended an elections security table top exercise with Ed & Alex, submitted another FNRPA request we are now down 3 requests, Dru is trying to help us figure out what the issue is with that, attended the employee compensation meeting, working on an employee evaluation tool, attended WACO in Rock Springs.

Julie Crawford, Clerk of the District Court: Total Receipts for September: $8,748.93 with $3,082.40 to the County 12 new case filings 39 record searches 11 new passports, assisted multiple other customers with renewal passports 1 civil appeal in process. Today is the first day of mandatory E-Filing for all attorneys in the 6th Judicial District. Pro Se litigants will still be able to submit traditional filings. This changes the dynamics in the office significantly, as it takes quite a bit more time to file in an e-filing as there are multiple annotated stamps and work to be done to get the filing in the system correctly. I sent out 70 jury notices for an upcoming trial in October. I sent letters out on uncashed checks in preparation for submitting monies to unclaimed properties prior to November 1st. I attended two IT meetings, one e-filing teams meeting with the District Court Clerks, and I participated in WACO via teams last week due to being alone in the office.

Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff: Presented the jail stats, working on our state contract to house inmates, working on extraditions, moving a detention officer to patrol, testing to fill the detention position, attended the Ag Committee meeting, tracking some legislation already, working on encryption grant, attending joint judiciary meetings.

Teresa Lang, Deputy County Treasurer: Total receipts were $1,705,687.38 and disbursements to the county boards, towns and schools were $2,669,869.83. In September we did a total of 2,708 transactions. We participated in the E-Recycling program. Met with Joe, Mel and Dan regarding the Town of Alva replat. We worked on the tax rollover to Taxwise, we had a few glitches but worked thru them, got it completed and sent the file to Master’s Touch, whom we are working with to get the property invoices printed and mailed. Should be done in the next day or so. Mailed the mineral property tax invoices. I did have some refunds approximately $300,000 in overpayments, so it will affect some entities again, probably will affect the fair more this year because they are getting a lower mill levy. Worked on the County Treasurer’s abstract and submitted it to the State. I attended the employee compensation and attended the WACO meeting in Rock Springs last week.

Bob moved to approve a server migration for the Clerk and Treasurer’s Tyler Tech programs. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

After discussion, Bob moved to approve for the Clerk and the Treasurer to obtain a joint administration login for Tyler Tech TaxWise and School ERP Pro Programs. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to go into session as the Board of Equalization at 10:30 o’clock A.M. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Back in regular session at 11:01 A.M.

Morgan Ellsbury, Road & Bridge Superintendent, gave a monthly report.

After discussion, Bob moved to approve a License for Use of County Road or Property for Willard & Elizabeth Mead on County Road No. 95 known as Holmes County Road FKA Wes Tabor County Road. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Adjourned for lunch at 12:02 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, Director, Crook County Library, gave monthly reports.

Bob moved to approve the updated Crook County Fairgrounds Big Barn Membership as well as the updated fees. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kara Creek Country Living Minor Subdivision

Present were Kara Doornink, Morgan Ellsbury, Sarah Pridgeon, Callie Hilty, John D. Davis, Caleb Peters and Tim Lyons.

After discussion, Bob moved to approve the Final Order Approving Minor Subdivision for the Kara Creek Country Living Minor Subdivision. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kara View Minor Subdivision

Present for the final hearing on the Kara View Minor Subdivision were Morgan Ellsbury, Tim Lyons, Callie Hilty, John D. Davis and Caleb Peters. After discussion, Bob moved to approve the Order Conditionally approving Minor Subdivision and Final Approval Granted Upon Fulfillment of Conditions and the Minor Subdivision Plat for the Kara View Minor Subdivision. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following monthly collections were collected:

Circuit Court $10,853.64

Klondike Couty Road No. 51

Present for the hearing to consider a petition to vacate a portion of the Klondike County Road No. 51 were Morgan Ellsbury, Donna Wolf, John D. Davis, Caleb Peters, Dawn Anderson, Joe Baron, Jayna Watson and via Teams, Cody Booth, State Lands and Investments. The following individuals addressed the board: Joe Baron, Cody Booth, Morgan Ellsbury, Donna Wolf, Dawn Anderson and John D. Davis.

Bob moved to vacate a portion of Klondike County Road No. 51 from State Highway 112 through Sections 25 & 26 to the border of Section 36. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Jayna Watson, AICP RLA, County planning consultant, was present to present the Board with candidates received on the Land Use Plan RFP.

The meeting adjourned at 4:28 o’clock p.m.

Wednesday, October 2, 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.

Kelly moved to ratify and approve the BOE minutes from October 1, 2024. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Further discussion was held on candidates received for the Land Use Plan RFP. Also present were Morgan Ellsbury, Austin Woody, Larry Schommer, John D. Davis, Caleb Peters, Tim Lyons and via Teams, Jayna Watson. After discussion Bob moved to accept the bid received from Y2. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

Austin Woody, Wyoming T2, was present to discuss speed limits on county roads. Also present were Sarah Pridgeon, Morgan Ellsbury, Joe Baron, Jeff Hodge and John D. Davis.

Charlie Harrison, Deputy Fire Warden and Ed Robinson, Homeland Security County Coordinator gave their monthly reports.

Bob moved to adopt the Emergency Operations Plan dated October 2024. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

After discussion, Bob moved to approve and for the chairman to sign, Fire Shed Use Agreements with Daniel F. Brunson, LeRoy S. Curren, X-Heart Ranch and Charles Pearson and in Fire Zone 12. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Alex Jessen, Chairman, Tammy Jundt, Member, and Morgan Ellsbury, Member, Compensation Committee, were present to give a monthly report.

After discussion, Kelly moved to approve and for the chairman to sign 1 classification review for the Facilities Department. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Adjourned for lunch at 12:01 o’clock p.m.

1:00 o’clock p.m. Present were Chairman Fred M. Devish, Member Bob Latham and County Clerk Melissa Jones. Vice-Chairman Kelly B. Dennis was absent.

Patrick Champa, District Ranger, Bearlodge Ranger District, Bridget Helms, Office Manager, CCNRD, and via Teams Dru Palmer, Dru Consulting, gave updates on items of interest within their departments. Also present were, Tim Lyons, John D. Davis, Charlie Harrison, Caleb Peters and Joe Baron.

Soni Lampert, KLH, was present via Teams, for the monthly IT update. Also present were John D. Davis, Tammy Jundt and Charlie Harrison.

Charlie Harrison presented an Agreement to Accept Compensatory Time Off In lieu of Overtime Pay. Bob made a motion to approve and for the chairman to sign said agreement, discussion was held. Fred seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

Receipts: Property Tax $299,465.39

Sales Tax $198,621.12

Misc Receipts $1,033,163.70

County Auto $174,437.17

Total $1,705,687.38

Disbursements Towns $270,759.46

County Boards/Districts $402,645.18

State & Local School $1,756,392.65

DOT/DOR/Rebate $240,072.54

Redemption -

Total $2,669,869.83

Investments Wyo-Star $447,069.31 $1,662.61 August Interest

Wyoming Class $3,360,878.73 $14,949.74 August Interest

Board openings:

On December 3, 2024, at 1:00 o’clock p.m. the Board will make the following Board appointment:

Fair Board Member – 5 Year Term

On December 4, 2024, at 1:00 o’clock p.m. the Board will make the following Board appointment:

Weed & Pest Board Member – Area 2 – 4 Year Term

Weed & Pest Board Member – Area 4 – 4 Year Term

All interested parties are encouraged to apply. Applications are available on request from the County Clerk at [email protected], in the Office of the County Clerk and online at https://www.crookcounty.wy.gov/boards2/index.php. All applications must be submitted to the County Clerk by or before December 2, 2024, at 5:00 o’clock p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 2:08 o’clock p.m. to meet in regular session on November 4 & 5, 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: October 17, 2024