The Niobrara County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, August 25, 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 Sheriff Randy Starkey, Patti Miller of The Lusk Herald, and county commissioner candidates Tiffany Thurston and Kevin Baars.
Chairman Wade led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Road & Bridge - Foreman Fred Thomas met with the Commissioners and reported on road conditions due to recent moisture.
He noted that all the millings had been used on Boner Road, and there are approximately four miles remaining from Ronda Pfister’s turnoff to the State Line that need work.
Barney Reese met with the Commissioners to discuss the S. Van Tassell Road and asked if there was a Memorandum of Understanding in place between WYDOT and the County regarding road closure notifications. Sheriff Starkey said there is one in effect, and when the State closes a road, S. Van Tassell should be included.
She asked whether signs advising motorists of curves in the road could be placed along S. Van Tassell Road to the county line. Foreman Thomas said he did not have any signs available at this time. She also asked whether mowing the ditches was the landowner’s responsibility. Chairman Wade said it was not. Foreman Thomas added that landowners could mow the ditches if they wished to do so. She then inquired about potential liability for landowners
Lastly, she asked about red cards for firefighting and whether there was a reciprocal agreement with Sioux County, Nebraska, to assist with firefighting. Sheriff Starkey said red cards are required for fires on federal lands but not necessarily for fires on state or private lands. The Commissioners suggested that she visit with the fire department regarding this matter.
Old Business-
Old Jail- Commissioner Hanson reported that he had spoken with the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and was informed that a contractor would not be available to begin asbestos abatement in the old jail until October.
Ratify 24-Hour Catering Permit- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to ratify the 24-Hour Catering Permit for the Silver Dollar Bar to sell alcoholic beverages at Coyote Days, held on August 15, 2026. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
24-Hour Catering Permits- Vice-Chair Griffith moved to approve three catering permits for the Silver Dollar Bar to sell alcohol at the Wyoming Rough Riders Mounted Shoot to be held September 5–7, 2026. Commissioner Hanson seconded, and the motion carried.
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners to discuss county business and review contracts. She noted that the Community Juvenile Services Board contract between the Wyoming Department of Health, Family Services and Niobrara County, and the Amendment One to the Grant Agreement between the Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Division, and Niobrara County were ready to be signed. Attorney Wasserburger explained the Community Juvenile Services program to the audience. She said it is a prevention program intended to help youth who may have had interactions with law enforcement stay out of the court system.
Community Juvenile Services Board Contract- Commissioner Hanson moved to enter into the contract between the Wyoming Department of Health, Family Services and Niobrara County for the Community Juvenile Services Board program. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. The contract is effective July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028, with a grant award not to exceed $22,309.00 per year.
Amendment One to the Workforce Development Grant- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve Amendment One. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. The amendment increases the original grant, dated March 25, 2024, by $12,000.00, from $25,000.00 to a total award of $37,000.00, with an expiration date of November 30, 2027.
Consent agenda- Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the consent agenda. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried. The consent agenda consisted of the minutes of the August 4, 2026, meeting and receipts for July from the County Clerk for $6,247.09, the Sheriff for $134.50, the Clerk of Court for $529.96, and the Public Health Nurse for $885.31.
Sheriff Vehicle Bid Openings- The Commissioners reviewed the bids received for two 2004 Dodge pickups and one 2016 Ford pickup. After reviewing all bids, Commissioner Hanson moved to accept the high bids from Justin Kremers for the 2016 Ford pickup, VIN ending in 06270 for $5,008.00, and the 2004 Dodge, VIN ending in 79357 for $4,008.00; and from Chantry Filener for the 2004 Dodge VIN ending in 79360 for $1,800.00. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, and the motion carried.
Annual Archiving of Social Media- Undersheriff Kelly Dean joined the meeting and discussed archiving the County’s social media accounts. He said he was approached by a company specializing in social media archiving that could provide the service for approximately $5,000.00-$6,000.00 per year. The Commissioners suggested forwarding the information to the County Attorney for review and comments.
Old Jail- Melvin ZumBrunnen joined the meeting and discussed the old jail. He inquired about the upcoming asbestos remediation and suggested that, instead of proceeding with demolition, the County hire a general contractor to handle the abatement and restoration of the building.
Mr. ZumBrunnen suggested seeking grants from private sources to renovate the building and perhaps rent it to the Chamber of Commerce in the future.
It was noted that before the County were to apply for any grants, a purpose for the building must first be established.
He asked if DEQ would postpone the abatement for approximately six months, while he attempted to obtain funding.
Commissioner Hanson called Loren Ruttinger of WWC Engineering and who is involved with the asbestos abatement, to ask whether the county could proceed with the abatement and then seek grants for renovations.
Mr. Ruttinger said he believed the County could proceed with the abatement in October but wanted to ensure that the scope of work in the agreement with the abatement contractor reflected the County’s intended use of the building. He noted that asbestos removal requires a certified contractor. He also said the existing roof could remain in place, protecting the building from the weather.
Mr. Ruttinger said he would follow up with the County to finalize the scope of work.
Based on the discussion, Commissioner Hanson moved to change the County’s course of action so that it would not be committed to demolishing the building after remediation. Vice-Chair Griffith seconded, all were in favor, and the motion carried.
The Commissioners acknowledged receipt of the WAM-WCCA energy lease program notification.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:37 a.m.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick Wade, Chairman
ATTEST:
Becky L. Freeman, County Clerk
Public Notice No. 6416 published in The Lusk Herald on September 9, 2026.
