Commission adjusts upcoming budget

TORRINGTON – The fiscal year is coming to a close, and the work on next year’s budget continues.

The Goshen County Commission approved six budget amendments during its regular June 19 meeting. The Goshen County Attorney’s office was amended by about $5,500 due to accrued payroll expense. Public Health amended its budget by approximately $92,000 for work on its parking lot paid for by grant. The Goshen County Recreation Director and director fund budgets were each amended by about $3,5000 for payroll expenses and excess in checking for refunds. The Goshen County Fair operations and management fund was changed by $2,500 due to repairs, and Evergreen Court’s budget changed by $6,500 due to capital expenditures.

The amendments total about $113,000.

Effective June 19, the commission instituted a salary and hiring freeze for all Goshen County departments including the fair and library.

In other action:

Goshen County Fire Warden Bill Law and County Emergency Coordinator Shelly Kirchhefer recommended a full fire ban in the county effective immediately. The commission approved.

Road and Bridge Superintendent Gary Korell said ONEOK Partners started work in Goshen County recently, digging and delivering pipes. ONEOK is working on a 500-mile natural gas liquids pipeline taking natural gas liquids from the Bakken formation in North Dakota to northern Colorado, where it will then be transported to Missouri via the existing Overland Pass Pipeline.

County Engineer Bob Taylor said the Lingle-Veteran Highway project is wrapping up. Finishing work, such as paint striping and shoulder work, remain. Road crews closed the Lingle-Veteran Highway for maintenance early last year and have been working to repair the roadway damaged by heavy traffic brought on by recent oil and gas exploration.

The commission approved Gary Vaughan’s addition to the Goshen County Fair Board. He will take the place of Hugh Hageman, who resigned. Commission Chair Jim Hudelson said Vaughan had shown interest in the fair board, attending meetings for the past three months.

The commission also approved the appointments to Jennifer Brummell to the library board for three years, Lynn Clapper for two years and Dempsey Hansen for one year.

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