County receives all-clear in audit

Jess Oaks
Posted 1/24/25

GOSHEN COUNTY – The Goshen County Commissioners met at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21 to conduct regularly scheduled county business. The meeting was called to order by Michael McNamee, …

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County receives all-clear in audit

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GOSHEN COUNTY – The Goshen County Commissioners met at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21 to conduct regularly scheduled county business. The meeting was called to order by Michael McNamee, chairman, and the Pledge of Allegiance then followed. In attendance were fellow commissioners, Aaron Walsh and Justin Burkart along with county clerk, Mary Feagler who took the meeting minutes. After a short welcome to visitors a motion was then made to accept the previous meeting minutes which was quickly seconded. The motion was carried and the January 7 meeting minutes were approved as presented. 

McNamee noted the only change to the agenda would be to remove the IT department report, stating there was nothing to report on. In his general comments, McNamee also explained Walsh, Feagler and himself would be heading to Cheyenne to a series of meetings in conjunction with the legislature. 

“I know they have a lot going on down there. We look forward to not only the Wyoming County Commissioners Association meetings, but we are also going to have some time with our local contingency, our representatives down there,” McNamee explained. “So, we will be going down there for that.” 

McNamee also noted with the extreme cold weather impacting Goshen County, it is important to keep an eye on your neighbors and the floor opened to the list of departmental reports. 

Sheriff Kory Fleenor presented his report where he indicated contract housing was $56,321, and for the year it was $215,275 (July through January). The commissioners also asked the sheriff about the state inmates housed at the county detention center. 

“I can’t tell you the exact number of state ones. I think they’re trying to keep us around 12, right in there. They are pretty short-term. I think we have them for three or four days and then they’re gone, maybe up to a week depending up on the housing and if they can get them to another place,” Fleenor explained.

After nothing further to report, McNamee explained he was looking forward to his visit with the sheriff in executive session after the meeting. A motion was then made to accept the sheriff’s report, earnings report and commissary report which was seconded and carried by vote.

The commissioners next moved on to the treasurer report from Leticia Dominguez. Dominguez indicated her office had a recent new hire. Dominguez reported about 70% of the 2024 taxes had been collected. The report was quickly accepted before moving on to the county clerks report. Feagler presented an updated warrant report, payroll liabilities report and the updated vendor report which were accepted by the commissioners. 

The commissioners moved on to the library report where it was indicated in 2024 the Goshen County Library had 43,880 visits which was up from previous years. It was also reported 120 children attended the library Christmas story and 75 people came to the CJ Box and Bob Budd book signing event. The library is currently working on securing grant funding to improve the acceptability of the building and grants are being sought for gardening. It was also mentioned fund funding was also being sought for an outdoor kitchen. The report also indicated construction on the “Maker’s Space” is complete, the library just needs equipment for the space. A motion was made to accept the report which was then seconded. The motion carried. 

Next, the commissioners skipped ahead in the agenda to a new business item where Andrew Wendt of ATLAS Accounting provided the 2023/2024 audit report via Zoom. 

“I won’t take up too much of your guys’ time this morning,” Wendt began. “I just wanted to go through the county’s FY 2024 highlights of the audit report. I just wanted to walk through a couple of things. First, wanted to start off with saying, as far as the county’s audited financial statements, we do not have any issues with non-compliance and controls and we do not have any issues that we came across in the financial statements.”

Wendt noted the biggest change would be noted as an increase in the general fund of about $1.6 million, mainly due to grant funding and increases of various other revenues.

“The county road increased slightly due to intergovernmental revenue and taxes too. That was about $111,000,” Wendt noted. 

Also explained, numerous capital assets purchases were shown on the report indicating the purchase of cameras, vehicles and other equipment totaling about $1.7 million, according to Wendt’s report. 

Wendt noted there was an accounting change which took place this year for changes or corrections which was not applicable to the county. 

“Each year, I feel like the audit goes pretty smoothly so I wanted to commend Mary [Feagler] and Leticia [Dominguez] and everybody that helps out with that. We couldn’t do it without you guys. We wanted to say thank you for that and making the audit go smoothly as it always seems to for the county and we do enjoy working with the county currently,” Wendt said.

McNamee echoed Wendt’s thanks to Feagler and Dominguez and he noted the commission would appreciate an open line of communication. Feagler also extended thanks for everyone who helped make the audit successful. 

Next the commissioners heard the fair report where McNamee invited the public to attend the fair board meetings. It was noted, the maintenance department would like to work on the chute panels at the fairgrounds as they lean. Work was also being done on the exhaust system to get more heat into the building. Maintenance was being done on bobcats, skid steers and other equipment. It was explained there was a stick lodged in one of the exhaust fans which kept tripping the breaker. The fan was malfunctioning even after the stick was removed. It was also noted the bylaws of the fair board had been revised and updated to support the department change in structure with the fair director position. A digital  and hard copy will be presented to the commissioners once signatures are obtained from the fair board members. 

Furthermore, it was also explained, the grant writer, Hannah Fullmer, was working on two grants and more are anticipated. There was adequate interest in the “fair director” position and the goal would be to have the position filled by March 1. The 2025 fair theme and logo was approved, “Something to crow about.” It was noted the rental software system needed updated. A brief discussion was held on the upcoming fair. McNamee explained as part of the board appointments, he attended the fair board meeting which meets the second Tuesday of every month. 

“Just a couple of comments. I thought that first of all, there was an interesting discussion at the beginning of the fair board meeting regarding why certain events are no longer a part of the Goshen County Fair,” McNamee said. “I think that’s enlightening for people, this person in particular that came in that wondered about some different things like the pro rodeo and the carnival and some different things that used to be a part of the fair. I bring it up mainly because I think the best way to find out and the best way to share maybe ideas that community members have about the fair is to get on the agenda and come to the fair board meetings. I think there are a lot of really good ideas out there,” McNamee continued.  

After a brief discussion on the county website, the fair report was accepted and the commissioners moved on to the remainder of the new business. 

Under new business, McNamee announced the board appointments which consisted of: Ted Church, county health officer; Konne Rife and Scott Prusia, lodging tax board; Milton Green, fair board; Shawn Hall, Doug Mercer and Karna Stoddard, planning commission; James Sedman, Theron Hageman and Hansen Vaughan, predator board. 

Next, McNamee announced liaisons to the county boards.

“As commissioners, we have the responsibility of working as liaison to those different boards. Right now, our appointments are, I am on the Wyoming County Commissioners Association Executive Committee. I also work with the joint powers board for the Goshen Care Center and attend those monthly meetings as well as the fair board liaison. Commissioner Burkart is currently our representative to the Goshen County Economic Board and he also is a member of the IT committee and youth alternatives board,” McNamee explained. “Commissioner Walsh currently is our liaison to the library board and the WyDot urban systems committee. We are going to give commissioner Walsh an additional board liaison responsibility. He will serve as our commission liaison to the zoning and planning commission. Those are the current responsibilities and I am happy to continue to serve on the board commitments that I have,” McNamee said.

After no further discussion from the commissioners, a motion was made by Burkart to leave the board appointments and liaison commitments as currently assigned moving forward for the remainder of the year. Walsh seconded the motion which then carried by vote. 

Next, the commissioners heard from Kyle Ridgeway of 307 Horse Racing. Ridgeway, who appeared via phone, explained the business would be changing names. 

The meeting then entered an executive session with the sheriff’s department and then adjourned. The next county commissioners meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 4 at 9 a.m.