Commissioners

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

Tuesday, September 5, 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 & ratify the minutes from August 1, 2 & 22, 2023. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to accept “Disclosure Statement for Investment of Public Funds” from the following people: Fred M. Devish, Kelly B. Dennis, Bob Latham, Melissa Jones, Aimee Holt, Meghan Porter, Michelle Ramos, Hilari Anderson, Tammy Jundt, Teresa Lang, Krystyna Wood, Janelle Peterson, Alana Greiner, Dan Thomas, Tracey Jundt, Thomas Bush, Blake Homola, Joseph M. Baron, Julie Altaffer, Christine Galloway, Justin Gerstner, Amy Pravecek, Ray Marchant, Bonnie Stahla, Randy Leinen, Mary Farnsworth, Criss Neiman, Cindy Lambert and Sue Fuhrmann. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve the 2023 Addendum to the Joint Agreement to Take Advantage of an ESRI Small Government Enterprise Agreements with Town of Moorcroft, Crook County Weed & Pest, and the City of Newcastle. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved for the Chairman to sign over a vehicle title on a 2016 Haul Mark back to the Office of Homeland Security. Kelly seconded all ayes motion carried.

Bob moved for the Chairman to sign a duplicate application and then sign over the title on a 2007 Durango to Quality Auto. Kelly seconded all ayes motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve a letter be sent to Sundance State Bank adding Charles Harrison to the County Fire Credit Card and updating contact to be Charlie. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Bob moved to sign Memorandum of Understanding with not-for-Profit Service Providers with Weston County Children’s Center/Region III Development Services. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to approve and for the Chairman to sign the annual Clerk’s Abstract Statement for the period of July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, as per W.S. 9-1-507(a)(vii). Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The following bills were presented to the Board:

Claimant-Description-Amount Allowed:

Total Wages and Cell Phone Stipend-$263,895.06;AFLAC-Insurance-$2,851.55;Clerk of the District Court-Garnishment-$226.00;Col. Life & Accident Ins. Co.-Insurance-$26.40;Crook County Payroll Tax Account-Withholding & Social Security-$80,128.17;Great-West Trust Company, LLC-Deferred Compensation-$3,100.00;NCPERS Wyoming-Life Insurance-$144.00;New York Life Insurance Company-Life Insurance-$379.78;PA SCDU-Garnishment-$660.00;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$5,559.19;Wyoming Retirement System-Retirement-$60,912.66;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance-$77,788.28;21 Electric LLC-Parts & Labor-$6912.70;A & B Business Inc-Copies-$315.86;A & I Distributors-Oil-$1106.97;Alsco-Shop & Courthouse Supplies-$371.59;Applied Concepts Inc-Radar Guns-$6035.00;April D. Gill-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;AT&T Mobility-Cell Phone-$988.79;Big Horn Tires Inc.-Parts & Labor-$12252.44;Black Hills Chemical Co.-Courthouse Supplies-$311.72;Black Hills Energy-Electricity -$22.62;Blakeman Propane Inc-Propane-$81.94;Bolinger Inc -Bumper Grill guards-$7600.00;Brannan Trucking Inc-Contract Hauling-$8840.00;Campbell County Sheriff’s Office -JUV Housing -$225.00;Carl’s Trailer Sales Inc.-Flat Bed; parts & labor -$10238.78;CBH Co-op-Fuel-$46403.81;CCFV/SAS Inc-County Funding -$2750.00;Centurylink-E911 Telephone-$1404.71;Cheyenne Seymour-Compensation for Steer Calf hit by County Truck-$1617.30;Circuit Court Campbell County -Copies-$1.00;City of Gillette-Water-$7.50;City of Sundance-Water-$2486.63;Collins Communications-Fire Alarm Monitoring, Parts & Labor-$720.47;Communication Technologies Inc-Parts & Labor -$1610.00;Connie Rainbolt -Witness Fee & Mileage -$53.38;Continental Western Group-Endorsement-$99.00;Contractors Supply Inc -Parts-$1333.86;Croell Inc-Road Base -$2732.84;Crook County Medical Services Dist.-Prisoner Meals & Foods, Employee Physical-$4641.04;Crook County Treasurer-Postage-$19.36;Custom Auto & Truck-Service, Parts, Repairs -$1904.23;David Osborne-Mileage-$349.77;Day Law-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$240.00;Decker’s Market-Supplies-$125.25;Douglas E Leis-Mileage -$553.48;Douglas E Stevens-Hearing Examiner Services -$1443.75;Dru Consulting LLC-Consulting Services -$7160.96;E3 Diagnostics-Calibrate Tympanometry-$145.00;EMC2 Logging -Water Truck -$168000.00;Employment Testing -Drug Testing -$331.00;ET Sports LLC-Track Kit -$6722.44;Fedex-Postage-$53.67;Fence Tech Services LLC-Parts & Labor -$23263.45;Floyds Truck Center WY-Labor -$288.68;Fremont Motors-2023 Ford (2)-$101638.00;G&G Garbage LLC-Cleaning -$160.00;Galls LLC-Nameplates -$33.21;Gene’s Lock Shop-Vehicle Key-$265.00;Glaxosmithkline-Vaccines -$5974.73;Grimm’s Pump & Industrial Supply -Parts-$1470.06;Grossenburg Implement Inc-Parts-$38.58;Gworks DBA GIS Workshop LLC-Annual Fee-$1029.00;HDR Engineering Inc -Professional Services -$32091.92;Hollaway Bridge & Culvert Inc-Arch Creek Bridge Replacement-$45883.53;Hub Int’L Mountain States LTD-Commercial Package -$97826.00;Humphrey Law LLC -Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$1005.48;Integritas Forum LLC-Fuel-$22.89;Jagow Enterprises Inc-Contract Hauling-$2647.36;Jeffrey Hodge-Cell Phone Reimbursement-$45.00;JW Services LLC-Contract Hauling -$2453.24;Kathaleen Spencer -Reimbursement -$14.10;Kelly B. Dennis-Mileage-$196.50;Kimball Midwest-Parts-$995.67;KLH Consulting Inc-Computer Services-$12100.45;Klocker Trucking-Contract Hauling-$625.00;Knecht Home Center of Spearfish LLC-Tools-$721.23;Longhorn Saloon & Grill -Rally Meals-$255.38;Lubnau Law-Court Appointed Attorney Fees-$200.00;Lynn Weaver -CPR Certification -$80.00;Marco Technologies LLC-Copy / Maint Fees-$64.80;Max Robert Masters-GIS Consulting & Mapping Contract-$3,400.00;Monument Health-Morgue Use-$461.00;Morgan Ellsbury-Truck Lease (July & August)-$2200.00;Motorola Solutions, inc.-USB Dock & Clip Mounts-$4364.00;National Sheriffs Association -Membership Dues -$125.00;Northern Engine & Supply -Driveline -$336.60;Onsolve, LLC-CodeRED-$606.18;Paradise Foods-Fuel-$249.43;Powder River Energy Corp.-Electricity -$6641.41;Powder River Power, Div of Purvis-Parts-$593.17;Powerplan BF-Parts & Labor -$1366.33;Princeton Health Press-Books-$726.00;Quality Agg & Construction, Inc-J Base, Rip Rap -$632.89;Quill Corporation -Office Supplies-$213.75;R&S Northeast LLC-Birth Control -$131.96;Range Telephone Cooperative Inc-Telephone-$6875.55;Raquel Croell-County Website Maintenance-$500.00;RG Trucking-Contract Hauling -$981.14;Robert’s Machine & Repair-Parts & Labor-$474.75;Rolling Metal Sinclair-Fuel-$199.64;Runnings Supply Inc-Tank -$599.99;Safeguard Business Systems -Property Tax Invoices -$946.97;Sara Fleenor-Mileage & Flight -$1141.04;Scott Peterson Motors Inc-Fuel Tank -$2284.15;Sirchie Acquisition Co LLC-Drug Tests-$82.31;Stewart Trucking LLC-Contract Hauling -$1166.37;Sundance Custom Steel-Skylight Panel-$288.00;Sundance Fas-Break-Window Replacement -$137.80;Sundance Hardware & Sporting Goods-Parts & Supplies-$2406.29;Sundance Heating and Air -Refrigerant -$285.00;Sundance State Bank -Direct Deposit Fees -$20.78;Sundance Times-Ads, Legal-$3140.43;Svoboda Trucking -Contract Hauling-$12122.50;Sylvestri Customization -Monthly Website Maint., Graphic Design & Social Media-$600.00;The Home Depot Pro-Parts-$228.36;Thomas Bush-Reimbursement -$12.00;Thos Y Pickett & Co Inc -Contract Payment -$6000.00;Tina Cote -Mileage -$60.26;Top Office Products, Inc.-Copies-$480.71;Town of Hulett-Water-$62.30;Town of Moorcroft-Water-$68.68;Tracy Motor Company-Parts & Supplies-$6898.73;Tyler Technologies, Inc.-Itax Hosting & Annual Fees -$3881.65;US Post Office-Box Rent-$98.00;UW Extension -Registration -$75.00;Verizon Connect Fleet USA LLC-Support-$99.50;Vilas Pharmacy-Supplies-$189.77;Visa-Adobe, Internet, Supplies, Medical Supplies, Travel Expenses, Jail Cable, Ad, Parts & Labor, Postage, Straight Talk-$10441.90;Visionary Broadband-Internet Service-$977.77;Wells Plumbing & Farm Supply-Plastic Culverts-$11153.60;Wendy Depina-Mileage-$138.47;Western Stationers-Office Supplies-$1152.98;Weston Co Childrens Center -County Funding -$8000.00;Whalen Consult LLC-Consulting Services -$755.31;Windstream-Telephone-$132.94;WY Department of Health -State nurse salary -$33186.82;WY Department of Workforce Services-Worker’s Compensation-$840.82;WY Retirement System-Firemen’s Retirement-$450.00;WY State Forestry Division -Parts-$1165.89;WYDOT Motor Vehicle Division -New & Transfer Plates -$16.00;WYDOT-Financial Services-Project Expenditures-$2,810.00;Wyoming Educator’s Benefit Trust-Cobra VSP-$10.58;Wyoming Machinery Company-Parts & Labor-$68,457.29;Wyoming Public Health Laboratory -STI Testing -$28.00;Total-$1,149,427.94;

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

The following monthly collections were collected:

County Clerk $17,303.00

County Sheriff $34,471.10

Clerk of District Court $3,641.80

Circuit Court $12,214.00

Public Health (July) $ 3,573.95

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

Receipts: Property Tax $741,750.94

Sales Tax $196,220.28

Misc Receipts $1,368,758.06

County Auto $185,483.75

Total $2,492,213.03

Disbursements: Towns $141,266.48

County Boards/Districts $119,895.45

State & Local School $521,750.89

DOT/DOR/Rebate $200,958.73

Redemption $ -

Total $983,871.55

Investments: Sundance State Bank $2,812,739.00 $42,698.69 February - August Interest

Wyo-Star $426,392.59 $1,495.33 August Interest

Wyoming Class $3,145,103.49 $13,686.86 August Interest

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

Tammy Jundt, County Treasurer: Total receipts were $2,492,213.03 and disbursements to the county, county boards, towns and schools were $983,871.55. In August we did 1,685 transactions. We advertised in the county newspaper, the 2022 delinquent property taxes for tax sale which will be September 20, 2023, in the courthouse basement. We advertised 17 parcels. As of today, we are down to 11 parcels. Worked on the mill levy distribution and entered it into Taxwise for 2023. Worked with Leonard with Leo Riley & Co while he was here auditing our office. He’ll be back in October to finish. Submitted two reports to the Department of Revenue – first the motor vehicle valuation report and the 2023 motor vehicle veteran’s exemption report. Also worked with Sam on the county road construction and maintenance fund annual report. Met via zoom with other County Treasurer’s to discuss electric and hybrid vehicle fees. Withdrew the CD at Sundance State Bank that matured. We did one redemption on a parcel. I received a tax deed application this month and I have been working with Joe on a Treasurer’s tax deed. I attended the employee compensation and dept head meeting; and sat in on some of the property tax protest hearings.

Julie Altaffer, Clerk of the District Court: Total Receipts: $5,930.89 with $3,641.80 to the County 7 new case filings 47 record searches 10 new passports and assisted 3 customers with renewal passports/photos 2 civil appeals in process I am currently looking for a Chief Deputy to fill a vacant position in my office. I have received quite a few applications and am working through them and getting interviews set up during lunch hours or after work so as to not have to close the office during normal business hours. The office remains busy, but I am keeping up with the work that is coming my way. I completed an online security training and training on new forms for new hire and/or changes in employees for our Child Support Program. I completed the 8-hour mandatory elected officials training via google meets. I attended a JBI (Judicial Branch Innovation) Task Force Listening Session via teams, an Employee Compensation Committee Meeting, and the Department Heads Meeting.

Dan Thomas, County Assessor: August was a busy month for the Assessor’s Office. We had only 59 Deeds of transferring land ownership come through, which is about 80 fewer than last year at this time. I attended an appraisal course in Thermopolis last month. We started our new construction reviews and are well underway for our end of year schedule. I implemented the new sketching software into our CAMA system. We also had our CBOE hearings at the end of the month.

Joseph M. Baron, County Attorney: Criminal Cases in the past month: New Cases: 53 Closed Cases: 33 Current Case Load: 128 In Court: 71 times Juvenile Cases: 25 cases involving minors in Juvenile Court or Diversion. Civil work. Reviewed IT Contract with KLH. Advised County Officers, represented County Assessor before CBOE. Answered Tax deed issues. Met with Secretary of State concerning Improvement and Service District election issues. Reviewed Septic System rules and state law violations. Reviewed subdivision applications. Reviewed Zoning study contract. Worked on Budget Item 160 budget for statewide County Attorney reimbursement from the state. Reviewed Facilities Agreements. Met with the Forest Service to discuss changes made to the FRTA Easements. Reviewed County response to BLM Land Use Plan. Reviewed Dark Skies.

Jeff Hodge, County Sheriff: Dealing with e-bikes on Forest Service trails, presented jail stats, dealing with radio issues, virtual crisis care, phone calls with people saying they were the Sheriff, AC out in dispatch center, started on camera replacement build for the courthouse, discussed interim legislation on SO providing court security, attended compensation meeting, having certification trainings, hired 1 deputy, lost 1 deputy.

Melissa Jones, County Clerk: Office made 406 titles, recorded 536 documents, had video meeting with the Secretary of State and Joe, listened in on interim committee meetings; lots of election talk, completed fixed assets, prepared binders for BOE and processed motions received, mailed certificates of service to service & improvement districts that the mill levy passed, dispersed and collected disclosure statements, completed the clerk’s abstract, worked on a statement of receipts and expenditures for publishing, working on our Sams renewal, attended compensation committee meeting.

County Commissioners: Kelly: Attended Land Use meetings, Weed & Pest meetings, took calls on roads, drove Bertha, Goldie Divide, Little Missouri/Haul Road & Government Canyon Road, attended BOE meetings, renewing entities with SOS has improved. Bob: Attended FRTA meetings, BOE hearings, met with Ally Garner, Lummis’ Rep., Ally, viewed the Colony Community building with Larry, sat in on fair position interviews, had conversations on weeds on reclaimed pipeline areas, had conversations about Mona Rd and Bertha Rd. Fred: Conversations with Morgan on Little Missouri Road, Conversations with Jeff, met with owners of SY Ranch on relocating the County Road, attended BOE hearings.

Dan Thomas, County Assessor, presented the following tax roll corrections: R0003621, R0013823, R0014214, R0014212, R00144401, R0002156, R0002157, R0002158, R0002159 & R0002160. Bob moved to approve the corrections as presented. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Alex Jessen, Chairman, Tammy Jundt and Bonnie Stahla, Members and via conference call Tina Wood, Member, Compensation Committee, gave a monthly report. Also present were Julie Altaffer and Jeff Hodge.

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

Larry Schommer, Joe Baron and Sam Burke were present to discuss the Rodeo Club Agreement.

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, Member Bob Latham and County Clerk Melissa Jones.

Carol Stutzman, Public Health Nurse, Katie Allen, Public Health Prevention Specialist, Amanda Gaskin, Clinician, VOANR, Sara Fleenor, UW Area Educator and Bonnie Stahla, Director, Crook County Library, gave monthly reports.

Bob moved to sign a Proclamation declaring the month of September as Suicide Awareness and Prevention Month. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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

Jim Geis was present to discuss septic land application.

Charlie Harrison, Fire Warden and Doug Leis, Deputy Fire Warden gave their monthly reports. Also present was Steve Geis.

Bob moved to sign a letter giving permission for Doug Leis to drive the newly purchased Fire Truck back from Reno. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Present for the monthly KLH update via Teams, was Tom Overstreet, also present was Tammy Jundt.

Kelly moved to meet as the Board of Equalization at 2:50 p.m. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Back into regular session at 2:51 p.m.

The meeting adjourned at 2:51 o’clock p.m.

Wednesday, September 6, 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.

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

Present for the annual liquor license renewal hearing were Phil Jordan, Joe Baron and Larry Schommer. After discussion, Bob moved to approve the following licenses with an expiration date of 11/7/2024:

• Buffalo Jump Hospitality Partners LLC dba Buffalo Jump Saloon & Steakhouse- County Retail Liquor License

• Historic Aladdin LLC dba Aladdin General Store- County Retail Liquor License

• Buffalo Jump Hospitality Partners LLC dba Sand Creek Trading Post- County Retail Liquor License

• LA Driskill dba Devils Tower Gulch- County Retail Liquor License

• Campstool Marketing LLC dba Devils Tower KOA- County Retail Liquor License

• JPC Keyhole LLC dba Keyhole Marina- County Retail Liquor License

• Integritas Forum LLC dba State Line Station- County Retail Liquor License

• Marcelleen, Inc. dba Devils Tower Trading Post-County Retail Malt Beverage Permit

• Driskill Holdings, LLC dba Devils Tower KOA- County Retail Malt Beverage Permit

• Sarlys Properties LLC dba Devils Tower View- County Retail Malt Beverage Permit

Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved to deny the County Retail Liquor License for Sand Creek Investments 6 as Sand Creek Investments 6 LLC failed to provide proof of operational building/physically functional building within the time allotted, the additional year to become operational was permitted last year, therefor the license is denied as per W.S. 12-4-103(a)(iv). Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

The Board received a letter of resignation from Justin Gerstner, Member, County Fair Board. Bob moved to accept the resignation. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried. This has caused a vacancy on the Fair Board. On October 3, 2023, at 1:00 o’clock p.m. the Board will appoint someone to fill the unexpired term of Justin Gerstner, Member, County Fair Board, which expires January 2026. All interested parties are encouraged to apply. Applications can be obtained from the Crook County Clerk’s Office, P.O. Box 37, Sundance, WY 82729, 307-283-1323, https://www.crookcounty.wy.gov/boards2/fair_board.php. All applications must be submitted to the County Clerk by or before October 3, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock a.m.

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 October 3, 2023 at 8:30 o’clock a.m. to consider such proposed resolutions:

• $40,040.00 to Facilities Salaries-from Unanticipated Revenues

Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

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 Warbonnet Canyon Ranch & Warbonnet Canyon Estates were Jim Tullo, Tim Lyons, Morgan Ellsbury and Joe Baron, and via conference call John Rasmussen & Angel Fajardo.

Bob moved to grant Warbonnet Canyon Estates and Warbonnet Canyon Ranch exemptions from the Large Acreage Subdivision Regulations as developments that were developed and promoted for sale prior to county regulations going into effect in 2022. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Kelly moved for the chairman to sign a Contract with Independent Contractor for Services and or Materials. Bob seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Adjourned for lunch at 11:40 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.

Elizabeth Kruger, Project Contact, USFS, Bridget Helms, Office Manager, CCNRD, Jeanne Whalen, Whalen Consult, LLC and via Teams Dru Bower, DRU Consulting, LLC gave monthly reports.

Bob moved to approve an Order Approving Large Acreage Subdivision Exemption to Warbonnet Canyon Estates and to Warbonnet Canyon Ranch setting forth findings in the matters. Kelly seconded, all ayes, motion carried.

Larry Schommer was present to discuss an insurance claim for the Hulett Library and to discuss moving the Gazebo in the Courthouse lawn.

The meeting adjourned at 2:30 o’clock p.m. to meet as Board of Equalization at 9:00 o’clock a.m. and in Special Session at 10:30 o’clock a.m., on September 15, 2023 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: September 14, 2023