STATE OF WYOMING         )                                                                                           LANDER, WYOMING

) ss.                         OFFICE OF THE FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

COUNTY OF FREMONT      )                                                                                                             May 2, 2012

The Board of Fremont County Commissioners met in Special Session at 9:30 a.m. with the following members present:  Chairman Douglas L. Thompson, Vice-Chairman Pat Hickerson, Keja Whiteman, Dennis Christensen and Travis Becker.  County Clerk and Clerk of the Board Julie A. Freese was present.

Clerk of District Court.  Clerk of District Court Katie Meredith was present.  The budget is reduced by 7% due to the health insurance being dropped by a current employee.  The Commissioners earlier approved hiring an additional employee that she has been short for several years.  With this approval, her budget is up to $408,347.  Last year’s budget was $386,851.  When asked how a reduced budget would affect her operations, she responded she would have to drop the new employee.  She was also asked if she can generate any additional revenue and she stated that most of her fees are set by statute; however she has increased copy fees and a fax filing fees.  The new employee will be hired when the State installs the computer system, slated for this fall.  Commissioner Becker expressed concern that with the new e-filing system she may have more copy costs.  She has requested a new copier this year and she will look into upgrading her request to have the new copier double as the copier.

District Court.  Cora Gist was present.  Revenues they receive are copy fees and are not projected to increase.  On the budget, she has dropped the County health insurance.  Contractual Services are estimated at $60,000 for court appointed attorneys and Guardian ad litem fees.  The estimated GAL fees (25% County) of approximately $36,000 for the biennium, will total $18,000 per year.  She may need to re-estimate the court appointed attorney fees as she had only been able to estimate the costs.  Last year’s budget is $183,307.  Her static budget is requested as $179,075 and the 5% reduction at $174,142.  Discussion was held on the Title XXV fees from Natrona County which had been moved to the Statutory Medical line item in the 1660 account.  It was the consensus of the board to keep it in the Statutory Medical account.

Building Maintenance.  Supervisor JR Oakley was present.  He made mention that in the salary sheet, he does has a minor increase for an existing employee.  The newest employee hired was inadvertently given a larger salary than the existing employee and JR wanted to correct that.  He discussed the uniform shirts that the personnel wear as he currently has allotted a certain number of shirts per employee to wear and maintain themselves.  He believes this is not cost effective and has budgeted going to a uniform shirt service.  JR has requested $165,930 from the Capital Revolving Fund for a split for $102,869 for the Courthouse rear parking lot remodel; $56,416 for the replacement of the Courthouse fire alarm system; $3,845 to improve the Riverton court duct work; and $2,800 to paint the Lander Extension building.  The County Clerk noted that two of the projects do not qualify for the Capital Revolving Fund (less than $10,000).  Those amounts should be funded under100-1-1195-75611Building Improvements less than $10,000.  She suggested that JR provide the Committee with a five year plan for projects over $10,000.  Another list of building improvements or projects such as the two projects under $10,000 could be presented for budget consideration.  With the ARRA grant funded lighting upgrades, JR anticipates lower electricity costs and due to natural gas prices, he has locked in a lower rate.

Building Maintenance Detention.  JR Oakley continued discussion on this second budget.  This budget is very tight and JR feels that the static budget would be the better budget based on their experience of costs this past year.  Discussion was held on the Endowment Fund and what should be budgeted this year.  The Treasurer has worked on the Endowment Policy and will be working with JR, Sheriff and Commission that will allow JR to present a list and a 5 year plan.  Although this budget appears to be going over this year, the endowment costs that JR have spent this year are to be reallocated to other departments but funded through the endowment fund.  Oakley recommends that between the two budgets they make a 5% cut if this budget could remain the same as last year.

Dubois Youth Activities Association.  Peggy Miller, Janet Glaeser, and Megan O’Brien were present.  They received $1,000 last year and are requesting $5,000 this year.  Their budget is $122,000 which is funded by grants, donations, fund raisers and entrepreneurs earned income.  This is the only organization that is available to Dubois youth that provides after school needs for students.  Their target population includes 95 middle and high school aged students, 15 elementary aged students, and 25 toddlers.  They also have tutoring available which 49 students are taking advantage of.  They also have an Entrepreneur’s program where students are learning to make things they can sell, with the money received going to the program.  They were able to secure an old church and have been remodeling it for their use.  A 5% cut to their funding from last year could affect their program’s ability to operate and staff the program.  The Town of Dubois has been approached for funding but they have indicated that they have no money to give to the program.  The community has been very helpful in their fundraisers.

Fremont County Alcohol Crisis Center.  Executive Director Lisa Amos and Board Chairman Ron Blumenshine were present.  They received $100,000 last year and are asking the same amount this year.  The money is to help fund the Crisis Center and theTransitionalHousingCenter.  Lisa stated that the Board is committed to keeping the Centers open although funding is looking dim at this point.  Commissioner Thompson asked if the shortfall is due to the opening of the Transitional Center to which Lisa stated that the renovations of used a large amount of money.  The Crisis Center is still receiving over 300 new clients each year and the numbers are not indicative of a returning population.  TheTransitionCenter provides an avenue for clients who have gone through treatment to begin a new life in an effort to keep them from going back to their same environment.  Lisa feels that the missing link is there are no treatment facilities in the County.  The Transition Center has reached out to other populations for referrals, but has not been very successful. Commissioner Whiteman mentioned there is a need in the community for housing for various reasons and that by opening the Transition Center to those people could be a way in the meantime to gain revenue.  Commissioner Hickerson stated his concern with the City of Riverton’s support for the Center when they gain a great deal in cost savings by having the Center open.

Fremont County Predatory Animal Board.  Gloria Philp, Alan Sinner and Tracy Frey were present.  Money received fromFremontCounty last year was $3,000.  They have utilized that money to help with their bounty program.  They had lost their airplane, but have received it and a pilot back which has helped in their predator control efforts.  They hold about one year’s worth of reserves to help if any of their funding is reduced.  They are requesting an increase to $5,000 for the upcoming year.

Good Samaritan Center.  Peter Dvorak was present.  They received $5,000 last year and are requesting the same amount this year, but are willing to accept any amount of money.  They receive federal grants as well as local monies.  They provide emergency shelter and services to individuals and families in the community and can safely house up to 24 people per night, but are rarely at capacity.

Riverton Circuit Court.  Jennifer Clymer was present.  She stated that the Judge and staff were appreciative of the remodel they received last year which addressed the safety concerns.  They have requested $1,500 for telephone services which is 100% reimbursable from the State.  Last year’s budget received was $18,296.  They even looked closely at the telephone budget to ask only for what has been spent in that line item in the past.

Fremont County Alliance Against Domestic Violence.  Kenna Klinker was present.  She expressed her deep appreciation for the move to the new office in the Courthouse.  Client load has been static over the last year.  They received $5,000 last year and are requesting $5,000 this year.  They have seen an upward turn in the level of violence involved in many of their clients’ victimization, and an increase in the number of youth involved in violent relationships.  They provide education and training in the schools to raise awareness and also provide training for law enforcement personnel, social services agencies and the faith community, businesses and the general public.  They hold approximately $22,000 in savings and some more in a CD for unexpected revenue decreases.  Commissioner Whiteman asked about the data input for the State and she stated they have been doing the data input and are in substantial compliance with the State.

Lander Senior Citizens Center.  Director Jane Nolde was present.  Funding from the County is extremely important in obtaining grants for the Center, as they must receive 20% of their funds locally to obtain those grants.  They provide meals in the Center as well as for homebound elderly.  Keeping the elderly in their homes saves the government money in the long run.  Commissioner Thompson asked if their revenue streams are steady or declining and what do they use the County money for.  She responded that match the IIIB, C1 and C2 which are for social service health programs, meals and transportation.  They are looking at innovative ways to save money, such as food at discounted prices through American Food Services.

High Country Senior Citizens Center.  Director Melanie Oard was present.  They are already seeing cuts from the Federal Government.  The $7,000 received last year and subsequently requested for this year is used as required match money for their grants.  Town ofDubois does give money that is utilized for the transportation match.  County money is not broken out into specific programs.  They have about $20,000 in their cash reserve.

Fremont Counseling Service.  Executive Director Jerry McAdams was present.  Their request is the same as received last year which is $10,000.  This is to match monies for intensive outpatient services in the amount of $100,000.  They continue to lose State funding and hope not to have to deplete their operating reserves.

There being no further business, Keja Whiteman moved, Dennis Christensen seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 5:00 p.m. and reconvene at 9:00 a.m. on May 15, 2012 for a Regular Meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.

/s/         DOUGLAS L. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN

FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

ATTEST

/s/         JULIE A. FREESE, COUNTY CLERK AND CLERK OF THE BOARD