GOSHEN COUNTY – Chairman Michael McNamee called the meeting of the Goshen County Commissioners to order on Tuesday, March 4 at 9 a.m. in the commissioners’ chambers. In attendance were fellow commissioners Justin Burkart and Aaron Walsh and clerk of the court, Mary Feagler was also present. The Pledge of Allegiance followed thereafter.  

McNamee made an announcement indicating although under new business the agenda indicated a form of public hearing would take place regarding Wind Energy Siting Regulations, McNamee noted the new business item was to set the date for the public hearing and nothing further. 

“I want you to be aware that we are going to, we will be receiving the regulations on the wind energy stuff,” McNamee said. “We will schedule the public hearing for that. But we are not going to take any action on any of those wind energy regulations today. I’m just throwing that out if there were questions or if some of you were in attendance today assuming that there would be that public hearing or any action taking place on what we received from the planning commission. That is going to take place after the public hearing has been held,” McNamee explained. 

Moving on, McNamee called for a motion to be made to approve the morning’s agenda with the addition of a report by the maintenance supervisor. Burkart motioned to approve the agenda which was seconded by Walsh. With no further discussion, the motion to accept the agenda carried by vote and the commissioners moved approving the February 18 meeting minutes as presented. Burkart again made a motion to accept the minutes and Walsh provided the second. The meeting minutes were accepted by vote and the commissioners moved on to welcoming guests and the chairman’s opening statements. 

“Always glad to have visitors here that aren’t in regular attendance at our meetings,” McNamee began. “Just a big thanks to all of you that have continued to go back and forth to Cheyenne to work with our representatives down there in the legislature to promote and make them aware of Goshen County’s needs when it comes to some of the things that are happening down there – bills that will impact lots of different things within Goshen County. Big thanks to them for all of their work down there and to those of you that have traveled back and forth kind of representing our interests with that,” McNamee said turning the floor over to the other commissioners. 

“I would kind of like to add the fact that, when we try to discuss stuff and try to educate people on the way things are going and the way we see it and the way we’d like to see our county and our state proceed forward,” Walsh explained. “We’re not trying to incite fear. We’re just trying to educate and let people know so they can make an educated decision on what’s going on versus just a one-sided decision. So, those open discussions and stuff are not fearmongering, they’re just more educated.”

With nothing further, the commissioners moved on to the departmental reports where Brandi Correa, clerk of court, spoke to the commissioners. Correa turned in her earnings report for last month totaling $4,059.53. 

“I’m still having trouble with e-filing,” Correa told the commissioners. 

Correa noted there have been many issues with the new system including court records not being on the server which prompts the filing attorneys to contact Correa’s office.

“So, all attorneys are calling in all the time, ‘Hey, is my document filed? Where is my document filed?’ Right now, it’s been our issue with file and serve. The supreme court has been on it for the past week, but we are still not fixed,” Correa explained. “Just an FYI, circuit court filled out on Monday, file and serve. So, we’re working on it.” 

Correa noted the experience has been frustrating. With no further comments or questions, McNamee asked for a motion to accept Correa’s report which Walsh provided. Burkart seconded the motion and the motion carried by vote. The commissioners moved on to the grant writer’s report from Hannah Fullmer. 

Fullmer explained she had been attending many different meetings, including meetings with state and federal stakeholders, during February. 

“In those meetings they just give updates on the different grant programs and funding opportunities,” Fullmer said. “Right now, a lot of the federal agencies are kind of on a pause as they figure things out but a lot of the grants are still opening and moving forward as normal.”

Fullmer explained a few grants she had been working on and when they were due and she further noted things were going great and there are a few projects coming up she’s excited about. 

After no further questions or comments, Walsh made a motion to accept the grant writer’s, Burkart seconded the motion and the motion carried by vote approving the report. Moving on, the commissioners moved on to report from the road and bridge department. 

Chris Stoddard gave the commissioners an update on the condition of the roads. Stoddard noted the area had received a little bit of moisture. Stoddard also explained the department had gotten to roads that were wash boarded.

“We’re not cutting the washboards out yet until we get enough moisture in there because we will not pull through the road if we do it,” Stoddard explained. 

Stoddard explained the windy conditions have played a part in the road conditions as well noting after work has been completed, the next week the wind has undone everything. Stoddard was optimistic the area would have another chance for moisture at the end of the week. Stoddard also mentioned the department was looking at purchasing a dura patch machine noting they had been borrowing one from the city to patch holes. Stoddard explained he had been in contact with a seller and he would forward additional information to the commissioners. Bob Taylor stated he supported the decision to purchase the machine quoting prices for chip-seal and crack-seal on Goshen County roads. 

“Our roads are in really bad shape,” Taylor explained. 

Taylor further noted the roads were going to cost a lot to fix and some places seal their roads every ten years. Taylor explained by time Goshen County gets to the problem road; the damage is too severe and the county can’t afford to fix them. Taylor said with the purchase of the dura patch machine, the repairs shouldn’t be as expensive. 

“I think it would benefit us by a large cost saving the only problem is labor to do it,” Taylor said.

Stoddard noted to the commissioners the purchase was outside the budget. 

“I am looking at the budget right now and I’m not sure where that would come from,” Stoddard said.

After a deeper discussion into the machine Stoddard had located in Mississippi, it was the general concern the lower price may indicate problems with the machine so further information was to be collected. 

Taylor also noted some of the bridges in the county were 100 years old and the roads were way overdue for repair. There was a brief discussion on a new subdivision, the Veal subdivision, where it was indicated all of the permit was complete and the plat was awaiting the commissioners’ approval. 

After a brief review, a motion was made to accept the new subdivision which carried by vote. The plat was then signed by McNamee.

An update was provided on the Lewis Feedlot where it was noted the planning commission held a public hearing with the landowner. There were two public comments but nothing opposed of the feedlot. The planning commission gave a favorable consideration and will be turning the project over to the commissioners for approval after a public hearing has been held. Feagler scheduled the public hearing to take place in April 15, during the regular meeting of the county commissioners. 

“Just one comment that I had received two different phone calls and I think this is a matter of procedure when it comes to the public’s opportunity to come to a regular planning commission meeting and provide comments whether it’s a situation like the Lewis Feedlot or the wind regulations. I think that a process of notification and the ability to – the two complaints I had received were from two people that have received, in the mail, their notice that they had the opportunity to come to a planning commission meeting and voice concerns or voice any kind of testimony for the situation with the Lewis Feedlot,” McNamee explained. “They didn’t understand exactly what the process was so part of what I’d like to visit with you about on Tuesday when we get together, maybe refining that process just a little bit and making sure that we fully understand that process.”

For public information the commission noted, planning commission meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the commissioners’ chambers and more information is posted online through the county’s website. 

Further discussion on upcoming planning committee projects ensued before a motion was made to accept the road and bridge report by Walsh which was seconded by Burkart. The motion carried and the commissioners moved on to a report from Feagler. 

Feagler noted it was budget season. She expressed the county wasn’t too sure of how departments would be affected as final numbers are still coming in from Cheyenne but it looked like come cuts needed to be made. 

“I welcome anyone to come in with suggestions on where they see possibilities to cut the budget and discuss the budget with me,” Feagler said. “I’m the one who kind of puts numbers together and then the commissioners hear each department head and what the needs are for next year. We’re probably going to start having workshops in April.” 

Feagler provided the commissioners with the vendor and earnings reports. She also presented a bond for approval. McNamee noted, the commissioners received a copy of the ten-page vendor report prior to the meeting which allows them to approve them during the meeting. With no further comments or questions, Walsh made a motion to accept the county clerk’s, warrant and earnings’ report as provided which was seconded by Burkart. The motion carried and Feagler’s report was approved by vote. 

Next, the commissioners moved on to the emergency manager and fire warden’s report where Thomas Bozeman spoke to the commission. Bozeman indicated a lot of his trainings and meetings are monthly requirements.

“We are looking at going to a statewide ready, set, go program. That would probably kick off some time in the summertime. It’s just going to be a standard kind of a notification for evacuation. It’s going to be all hazards, instead of just wildfire even though it was designed for wildfire,” Bozeman said. 

Bozeman also provided a brief update on grants noting many of the items ordered from the 2024 grants had been placed. He also spoke to the commissioners about other grant projects noting deadlines and highlights. Bozeman stated he renewed the FEMA memorandum of agreement for the mass notification system.

“From the fire warden side, we’re still looking at being in a deep or extreme drought,” Bozeman said. “For January, we’re .53 inches lower than normal. Which is not crazy but still.”

Bozeman further explained even though the county has seen some precipitation, more is needed.

“I just want to remind people, if they are doing burning because our burn ban isn’t in place, be safe. Don’t do it on windy days. Make sure you clean up the area around where you’re going to do the controlled burn,” Bozeman said.

Bozeman also noted to the commissioners grant reimbursements should start coming in soon. McNamee stressed the importance of calling in controlled burns noting the recent fires in Nebraska and Wheatland. With no further discussion or questions, Walsh made a motion to accept both reports provided by Bozeman to which Burkart seconded the motion. McNamee called for a vote of approval which carried. 

Next, the commissioners moved on to the public health report where director Kara Palfy stated Platte County officials had reported the first human case H5N1 or the bird flu in the state of Wyoming. At this time, there is no cases of human-to-human transfer of the virus. The public health department urged the community to avoid sick or dead birds. Palfy noted the clinic still has RSV, COVID-19 and flu vaccines by appointment. With no further questions or comments, McNamee called for a motion. Walsh made a motion to accept the report as read and Burkart seconded the motion. The motion carried and the report was approved. 

Moving on to the IT report, the commissioners heard from Jesse Bowen, department director. Bowen explained he had asked to be added to the agenda for two projects. Bowne noted the Taxwise accounting migration was beginning. The county will move off of the QuickBooks platform and move Taxwise and the accounting to cloud storage allowing the county to no longer rely on the server. After a lengthy discussion on Taxwise, Burkart noted more information was needed to make any form of decision. Bowen also spoke to the commissioners on the purchase of a bucket truck which could be share between county departments for repairs or maintenance throughout the county. A discussion ensued over department budgets and Feagler noted there were some funds available for the IT department. McNamee requested Bowen to gather more information on the truck and how the purchase would impact the departments’ budgets. With no further information to discuss, a motion was made by Walsh to accept the IT report. Burkart seconded the motion and the motion carried.

Next, the commissioners moved on to a report from Kevin Flock, maintenance supervisor. Flock updated the commissioners on his progress finding a body shop to repaint the red truck. Previously, the county had thought about wrapping the truck however the wrap wouldn’t last long. Flock noted he had some issues with the control panel of the sump pump. The company had an electrician come out and make repairs, Flock explained. Flock further noted there was no update on the control replace on the HVAC system, parts have been ordered and electronic valves had been replaced but no start date had been set. Flock asked the commissioners to consider changing the vacation time policy noting some positions lose time because no one is available to cover time off. After a brief discussion, Walsh made the motion to approve Flock’s report and Burkart seconded the motion. The motion carried and the report was approved.

“Under new business, we have the wild energy siting regulations, the conversation regarding the public hearing date. We have already discussed that in the road and bridge report so, Mary, that is set for?” McNamee asked Feagler.

“It is set for April 1,” Feagler stated. 

The hearing will take place on Tuesday, April 1 during the regularly scheduled county commissioners’ meeting where public comment can be heard regarding the wind energy siting regulations. After a brief discussion on the project, the meeting was then adjourned. The next meeting of the Goshen County Commissioner will be Tuesday, April 1 at 9 a.m.