The Niobrara County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 8:59 a.m. Present were Chairman Patrick Wade, Vice-Chair Elaine Griffith, Commissioner Jeb Hanson, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman.
Also in attendance were Undersheriff Kelly Dean, Brandie Bartlett of The Lusk Herald, and county commissioner candidates Tiffany Thurston, J. D. Wasserburger, and John Midkiff.
Chairman Wade led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Road & Bridge – Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and provided an update on gravel pit activity.
He noted that several county road signs had been damaged and would require replacement.
24-Hour Catering Permits – Commissioner Hanson moved to approve issuance of two 24-hour catering permits to the Lusk Liquor Store for the sale of alcoholic beverages at the Legend of Rawhide, to be held at the fairgrounds on July 10 and July 11, 2026. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
County Attorney – County Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and discussed the local match agreement with Wyoming Child and Family Development.
WY Child & Family Development Local Match Agreement – Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve and execute the local match agreement, providing $1,000.00 in matching funds for services including speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy, as well as special education and related services. Commissioner Hanson seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Public Health Nurse Supervisor Melanie Pearce joined the meeting and discussed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Wyoming Department of Health and Niobrara County for MCH, TANF, and nursing services funding. She stated that the purpose of the MOU is to provide essential public health nursing services, LT101, and Maternal Child Services. She further stated that it is a two-year grant with a total award not to exceed $9,000.00 over the two-year period.
Vice-Chair Griffith moved to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Wyoming Department of Health for the above-stated purposes. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Old Jail – Leslie Stewart, Dan Henry Hanson, Ben Hanson, Greg Starck, Janette Starck, Jessie Reed, and Jeanine Wade were present to comment on the future of the old jail. Chairman Wade reviewed the asbestos remediation project and explained that the process would need to be completed regardless of whether the building was demolished or refurbished.
Three cleanup alternatives were presented: the first, to take no action; the second, pre-demolition asbestos-containing materials (ACM) abatement; and the third, pre-renovation asbestos-containing materials (ACM) abatement and lead-based paint (LBP) removal.
Discussion followed regarding potential uses for the building, as well as the estimated expense of refurbishment.
Several attendees stated that the historical significance of the old jail warranted preservation, while others indicated that the jail cells themselves were the most important feature to preserve.
The Commissioners were asked to consider holding a public hearing on the matter and to consider preserving the cell blocks.
Following discussion, Commissioner Hanson moved to approve Alternative 2, pre-demolition asbestos-containing materials (ACM) abatement, and to demolish the old jail in its entirety. Vice-Chair Griffith and Chairman Wade voted nay and the motion failed.
Leslie Stewart asked whether she could contact other museums and the state museum to determine whether there was interest in preserving the old jail cells.
Vice-Chair Griffith then moved to proceed with demolition of the building while retaining the jail cells in place. Commissioner Hanson seconded the motion. Chairman Wade stated that he was torn on the issue and would like to preserve the building for historical purposes, provided it could serve a useful function.
The question was called and Vice-Chair Griffith and Commissioner Hanson voted aye, and the motion carried.
Vice-Chair Griffith acknowledged Leslie Stewart and thanked her for her work on the project.
Consent Agenda – Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded the motion, and it carried. Items on the consent agenda included the minutes of the May 19, 2026, meeting.
Kellie Chichester appeared briefly to introduce Tallie Miller as the new 4-H Educator.
Justice Center HVAC – Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve three proposals from Johnson Controls for installation of two new high-efficiency boilers and related accessories, one new three-ton rooftop HVAC unit and related accessories, and one two-ton heat/cool mini-split HVAC unit with related accessories. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Payroll and the following vouchers were approved for payment: Bills are listed in the following format: Vendor- Department- Description- Amount- May Payroll- $156,227.06, Aflac- Various- Supplemental insurance- $5,358.34, Allbright’s True Value- Various- Parts, supplies- $92.09, Alsco- Various- Shop towels, coveralls, door mats- $607.01, Anne Wasserburger- County Attorney- Trial expenses, supplies- $1,711.84, Avy Emerson- 250 Grant- IT expense- $500.00, Becky Blackburn- Various- Supplies, travel, trial expense- $397.51, Benzel Pest Control- Justice Center- Insect control- $97.92, Black Hills Chemical & Janitorial- Facilities- Supplies- $542.27, Black Hills Energy- Various- Utilities- $815.66, Canon Financial Services, Inc.- General County- Copier lease payments- $380.00, CenturyLink- Various- Telephones- $1,513.11, CenturyLink Business Services- Various- Telephones- $63.86, Connecting Point Computer Centers- Various- Copier service agreements- $339.62, Converse County- General County- IT expense- $400.00, Cory Wilcox- Coroner- Deputy Coroner- $150.00, Decker’s Market- Detention- Commissary- $5.59, Delta Dental of WY- Various- Dental insurance- $974.40, Dennis C. Meier- Circuit Court Magistrate- Office rent- $1,000.00, Dooley Oil Inc.- Road & Bridge- Oil- $154.69, Double A Properties, LLC.- Various- Office rent- $1,500.00, Elaine Griffith- Commissioners- Travel expense- $247.44, Empower Trust Company, LLC.- General Co.- Deferred Compensation- $24,515.00, Falen Law Offices- Commissioners- P & Z draft manual legal review- $6,081.86, Frank Parts Co.- Road & Bridge- Parts- $257.33, Fusion Cloud Service- Various- Telephone- $1,392.78, Geographic Innovations- Various- Professional mapping services- $1,500.00, GreatAmerica Financial Services- Sheriff - Copier service agreement- $103.00, Hometown Country- Facilities- Supplies- $97.00, Hose & Rubber Supply- Road & Bridge- Parts- $609.51, Jameson Cleaning & Maintenance- Facilities- Fairgrounds & public health building cleaning contracts, fairgrounds event booking contract- $8,960.00, Kassidy Miller- Prevention grant- Operational supports- $40.00, Lexie Painter- Extension- Contract labor- Fair board bookkeeping- $600.00, Long Building Technology- Various- Equipment maintenance- $916.72, Lusk Herald- Various- Publications- $3,910.91, Lusk State Bank- General County- Payroll taxes- $45,396.02, Mark C. Hardee Law Office, P.C.- Clerk of court- Court appointed attorney- $253.40, Michelle Kremers- Various PHN- Travel expense- $142.82, Mobile Concrete- County Road Fund- Gravel- $135,000.00, Monica Wilcox- Public Health Response Coord.- Travel- $203.00, Nate Shumway- County Attorney- Trial expense- $432.10, NCIC Inmate Communications- Detention- NCIC Tablets- $247.43, Niobrara County High School- 250 Grant- Supplies- $169.07, Niobrara County Circuit Court- Payroll- Garnishment- $1,031.31, Niobrara County Hospital District- 1% Option tax & inmate medical - $18,667.16, Niobrara County Library- Reimbursement for def. comp.- $3,625.00, Niobrara County Public Health- Prevention Grant- Indirect costs- $307.77, Niobrara Electric Association- Various- Radio tower electricity- $61.31, ODP Business Solutions- Treasurer- Supplies- $914.19, Palen Law Offices, LLP- Clerk of Court- Court appointed attorney- $264.00 Pier Funeral Home- Coroner- Supplies- $234.18, Plainsman Printing & Supply- Clerk of court- Supplies- $401.70, Pomp’s Tire Service, Inc.- Road & Bridge- Equipment repairs- $5,106.35, Schindler Elevator Corp.- Facilities- Qtrly mtnc.- $1,573.68, Swanson Services Corp- Detention- Commissary- $414.40, Texas Refinery Corp.- Road & Bridge- Oil- $608.00, Thomson Reuters-West- County Attorney- Law library- $163.13, Town of Lusk- Various- Utilities- $3,970.55, Traci Bruegger- Facilities- CH, Library, Justice Center cleaning contract- $4,300.00, Tyler Technologies- Various- Computer expenses- $4,736.68, Verizon Wireless- Various- Phones, computer expense- $378.92, Visa- Various- Supplies, new equipment, postage, dues, travel expense, IT & computer expenses- $4,754.94, Vision Service Plan- Various- Vision Insurance- $470.86, Visionary Broadband- Various- IT expense- $479.08, Ward Laboratories, Inc.- Extension- Postage- $11.11, Westco- Road & Bridge- Fuel- $5,938.42, WYDOT Financial Services- Various- Fuel- $2,707.41, WY Dept. of Health Public Health Labs- Public Health Nurse- Medical supplies- $70.00, Wyoming Educators’ Benefit Trust- General County- Health & life insurance- $40,385.08, Wyo Lawn & Tree- Facilities- Lawn care- $214.00, Wyoming Network, Inc.- General County- IT expense- $200.00, Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy- Detention- Academy- $2,811.65, Wyoming Retirement System- General County- Law enforcement retirement- $17,825.37, May Total- $526,428.69. There being no further business, Chairman Wade adjourned the meeting.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
ATTEST:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6378 published in The Lusk Herald on June 24, 2026.
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Niobrara County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 8:59 a.m. Present were Chairman Patrick Wade, Vice-Chair Elaine Griffith, Commissioner Jeb Hanson, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman.
Also in attendance were Undersheriff Kelly Dean, Brandie Bartlett of The Lusk Herald, and county commissioner candidates Tiffany Thurston, J. D. Wasserburger, and John Midkiff.
Chairman Wade led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Road & Bridge – Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and provided an update on gravel pit activity.
He noted that several county road signs had been damaged and would require replacement.
24-Hour Catering Permits – Commissioner Hanson moved to approve issuance of two 24-hour catering permits to the Lusk Liquor Store for the sale of alcoholic beverages at the Legend of Rawhide, to be held at the fairgrounds on July 10 and July 11, 2026. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
County Attorney – County Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners and discussed the local match agreement with Wyoming Child and Family Development.
WY Child & Family Development Local Match Agreement – Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve and execute the local match agreement, providing $1,000.00 in matching funds for services including speech-language, occupational, and physical therapy, as well as special education and related services. Commissioner Hanson seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
Public Health Nurse Supervisor Melanie Pearce joined the meeting and discussed the Memorandum of Understanding between the Wyoming Department of Health and Niobrara County for MCH, TANF, and nursing services funding. She stated that the purpose of the MOU is to provide essential public health nursing services, LT101, and Maternal Child Services. She further stated that it is a two-year grant with a total award not to exceed $9,000.00 over the two-year period.
Vice-Chair Griffith moved to sign the Memorandum of Understanding with the Wyoming Department of Health for the above-stated purposes. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Old Jail – Leslie Stewart, Dan Henry Hanson, Ben Hanson, Greg Starck, Janette Starck, Jessie Reed, and Jeanine Wade were present to comment on the future of the old jail. Chairman Wade reviewed the asbestos remediation project and explained that the process would need to be completed regardless of whether the building was demolished or refurbished.
Three cleanup alternatives were presented: the first, to take no action; the second, pre-demolition asbestos-containing materials (ACM) abatement; and the third, pre-renovation asbestos-containing materials (ACM) abatement and lead-based paint (LBP) removal.
Discussion followed regarding potential uses for the building, as well as the estimated expense of refurbishment.
Several attendees stated that the historical significance of the old jail warranted preservation, while others indicated that the jail cells themselves were the most important feature to preserve.
The Commissioners were asked to consider holding a public hearing on the matter and to consider preserving the cell blocks.
Following discussion, Commissioner Hanson moved to approve Alternative 2, pre-demolition asbestos-containing materials (ACM) abatement, and to demolish the old jail in its entirety. Vice-Chair Griffith and Chairman Wade voted nay and the motion failed.
Leslie Stewart asked whether she could contact other museums and the state museum to determine whether there was interest in preserving the old jail cells.
Vice-Chair Griffith then moved to proceed with demolition of the building while retaining the jail cells in place. Commissioner Hanson seconded the motion. Chairman Wade stated that he was torn on the issue and would like to preserve the building for historical purposes, provided it could serve a useful function.
The question was called and Vice-Chair Griffith and Commissioner Hanson voted aye, and the motion carried.
Vice-Chair Griffith acknowledged Leslie Stewart and thanked her for her work on the project.
Consent Agenda – Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded the motion, and it carried. Items on the consent agenda included the minutes of the May 19, 2026, meeting.
Kellie Chichester appeared briefly to introduce Tallie Miller as the new 4-H Educator.
Justice Center HVAC – Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve three proposals from Johnson Controls for installation of two new high-efficiency boilers and related accessories, one new three-ton rooftop HVAC unit and related accessories, and one two-ton heat/cool mini-split HVAC unit with related accessories. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
Payroll and the following vouchers were approved for payment: Bills are listed in the following format: Vendor- Department- Description- Amount- May Payroll- $156,227.06, Aflac- Various- Supplemental insurance- $5,358.34, Allbright’s True Value- Various- Parts, supplies- $92.09, Alsco- Various- Shop towels, coveralls, door mats- $607.01, Anne Wasserburger- County Attorney- Trial expenses, supplies- $1,711.84, Avy Emerson- 250 Grant- IT expense- $500.00, Becky Blackburn- Various- Supplies, travel, trial expense- $397.51, Benzel Pest Control- Justice Center- Insect control- $97.92, Black Hills Chemical & Janitorial- Facilities- Supplies- $542.27, Black Hills Energy- Various- Utilities- $815.66, Canon Financial Services, Inc.- General County- Copier lease payments- $380.00, CenturyLink- Various- Telephones- $1,513.11, CenturyLink Business Services- Various- Telephones- $63.86, Connecting Point Computer Centers- Various- Copier service agreements- $339.62, Converse County- General County- IT expense- $400.00, Cory Wilcox- Coroner- Deputy Coroner- $150.00, Decker’s Market- Detention- Commissary- $5.59, Delta Dental of WY- Various- Dental insurance- $974.40, Dennis C. Meier- Circuit Court Magistrate- Office rent- $1,000.00, Dooley Oil Inc.- Road & Bridge- Oil- $154.69, Double A Properties, LLC.- Various- Office rent- $1,500.00, Elaine Griffith- Commissioners- Travel expense- $247.44, Empower Trust Company, LLC.- General Co.- Deferred Compensation- $24,515.00, Falen Law Offices- Commissioners- P & Z draft manual legal review- $6,081.86, Frank Parts Co.- Road & Bridge- Parts- $257.33, Fusion Cloud Service- Various- Telephone- $1,392.78, Geographic Innovations- Various- Professional mapping services- $1,500.00, GreatAmerica Financial Services- Sheriff - Copier service agreement- $103.00, Hometown Country- Facilities- Supplies- $97.00, Hose & Rubber Supply- Road & Bridge- Parts- $609.51, Jameson Cleaning & Maintenance- Facilities- Fairgrounds & public health building cleaning contracts, fairgrounds event booking contract- $8,960.00, Kassidy Miller- Prevention grant- Operational supports- $40.00, Lexie Painter- Extension- Contract labor- Fair board bookkeeping- $600.00, Long Building Technology- Various- Equipment maintenance- $916.72, Lusk Herald- Various- Publications- $3,910.91, Lusk State Bank- General County- Payroll taxes- $45,396.02, Mark C. Hardee Law Office, P.C.- Clerk of court- Court appointed attorney- $253.40, Michelle Kremers- Various PHN- Travel expense- $142.82, Mobile Concrete- County Road Fund- Gravel- $135,000.00, Monica Wilcox- Public Health Response Coord.- Travel- $203.00, Nate Shumway- County Attorney- Trial expense- $432.10, NCIC Inmate Communications- Detention- NCIC Tablets- $247.43, Niobrara County High School- 250 Grant- Supplies- $169.07, Niobrara County Circuit Court- Payroll- Garnishment- $1,031.31, Niobrara County Hospital District- 1% Option tax & inmate medical - $18,667.16, Niobrara County Library- Reimbursement for def. comp.- $3,625.00, Niobrara County Public Health- Prevention Grant- Indirect costs- $307.77, Niobrara Electric Association- Various- Radio tower electricity- $61.31, ODP Business Solutions- Treasurer- Supplies- $914.19, Palen Law Offices, LLP- Clerk of Court- Court appointed attorney- $264.00 Pier Funeral Home- Coroner- Supplies- $234.18, Plainsman Printing & Supply- Clerk of court- Supplies- $401.70, Pomp’s Tire Service, Inc.- Road & Bridge- Equipment repairs- $5,106.35, Schindler Elevator Corp.- Facilities- Qtrly mtnc.- $1,573.68, Swanson Services Corp- Detention- Commissary- $414.40, Texas Refinery Corp.- Road & Bridge- Oil- $608.00, Thomson Reuters-West- County Attorney- Law library- $163.13, Town of Lusk- Various- Utilities- $3,970.55, Traci Bruegger- Facilities- CH, Library, Justice Center cleaning contract- $4,300.00, Tyler Technologies- Various- Computer expenses- $4,736.68, Verizon Wireless- Various- Phones, computer expense- $378.92, Visa- Various- Supplies, new equipment, postage, dues, travel expense, IT & computer expenses- $4,754.94, Vision Service Plan- Various- Vision Insurance- $470.86, Visionary Broadband- Various- IT expense- $479.08, Ward Laboratories, Inc.- Extension- Postage- $11.11, Westco- Road & Bridge- Fuel- $5,938.42, WYDOT Financial Services- Various- Fuel- $2,707.41, WY Dept. of Health Public Health Labs- Public Health Nurse- Medical supplies- $70.00, Wyoming Educators’ Benefit Trust- General County- Health & life insurance- $40,385.08, Wyo Lawn & Tree- Facilities- Lawn care- $214.00, Wyoming Network, Inc.- General County- IT expense- $200.00, Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy- Detention- Academy- $2,811.65, Wyoming Retirement System- General County- Law enforcement retirement- $17,825.37, May Total- $526,428.69. There being no further business, Chairman Wade adjourned the meeting.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
ATTEST:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6378 published in The Lusk Herald on June 24, 2026.
