April 29 – Riverton     10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Riverton Extension Office meeting room
May 18 – Lander           10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Lander Extension Office meeting room
May 19 – Ethete            10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. in Ethete
May 20 – Dubois          10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Dubois Town Hall

For more information please call the Extension Office at 332-2363

The Board of Fremont County Commissioners met in Regular Session at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Chairman Douglas L. Thompson, Vice-Chairman Pat Hickerson, Keja Whiteman, Dennis Heckart and Dennis Christensen.  Also present was Deputy County Clerk and Clerk of the Board Julie A. Freese. 

Pat Hickerson moved, Dennis Christensen seconded, to accept the Agenda as amended.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Dennis Heckart moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Regular meeting held on February 9, 2010.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Dennis Christensen moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to accept bills for payment, with the exception of several vouchers for the Fremont County Library expansion project, pending a review with Library Director Jill Rourke later in the meeting.  Dennis Heckart abstained from voting on the Hammer Electronics voucher.  Motion carried. 

 Two Title 25 vouchers were presented for payment as follows:  No. 21610L to Lander Valley Medical Center in the amount of $14,950 and No. 21610W to Wyoming Behavioral Institute in the amount of $6,850.  Pat Hickerson moved, Dennis Heckart seconded, to accept the vouchers for payment.  Motion carried unanimously.  Vice-Chairman Hickerson stated that the County Attorney’s Office had also submitted copies of numerous denials of Title 25 claims, totaling $43,858. 

The following items in the Signature File were reviewed: Fremont County Capital Revolving Fund Lease Memorandum with Transportation Department for 2009 John Deere Cat Loader and 2009 John Deere w/Tiger mower and with the County Assessor for a 2009 Ford F150.  Dennis Christensen moved, Dennis Heckart seconded, to approve a $50,000 planning grant request to Wyoming Department of Transportation for the West River Crossing.  Motion carried unanimously.  Dennis Heckart moved, Dennis Christensen seconded, to approve a letter for an employee personnel file regarding successful completion of treatment and subsequent return to regular department policy.  Voting against the motion:  Keja Whiteman.  Motion carried. 

A voucher for annual dues from Wyoming Taxpayer Association was approved for payment.  County Clerk Julie Freese will prepare the voucher for payment, as the dues are budgeted in the Commissioners budget. 

A request from Ambulance Director Lauri Wempen to write off $3,705.15 for services to inmates incarcerated at the Fremont County Detention facility was reviewed, as they could find no other payor financially responsible.  Dennis Heckart moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to approve the request to write off the charges.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Library Director Jill Rourke presented two Contracts for the Board’s approval.  The first was for Eggli Brothers in the amount of $34,203.00 and the second was to Fremont Glass, Inc. in the amount of $1,500.  She stated the purchases will make up the remainder of furnishings for all staff areas and some of the public areas.  Dennis Christensen moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to approve both contracts as presented.  Motion carried unanimously.  The Board asked for clarification on several vouchers they earlier reviewed and postponed paying to which Rourke stated she would provide additional information for their review prior to payment the following meeting.  She was also requested to provide a financial report when all projects are completed. 

Dennis Christensen moved, Dennis Heckart seconded, to adjourn into Executive Session with Transportation Superintendent Dave Pendleton and Deputy County Attorney Jodi Darrough regarding potential property acquisition.  Motion carried unanimously.  Pat Hickerson moved, Dennis Christensen seconded, to return to Regular Session.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Dave Pendleton reported on the recent Wyoming Engineering Society Convention he attended where the local Wyoming chapter is looking at infrastructure by category (county roads, city streets, state highways, etc.).  He distributed a Report Card Wyoming’s Infrastructure for the Board’s review. 

Vice-Chairman Hickerson asked for an update on the bridge on the Lenore-Burris Road in Crowheart.  Dave Pendleton will visit with the Tribal Transportation Department and report back.  He also asked Pendleton to provide a status update on several State Lands and Investments Board grant projects that were awarded to Fremont County for road projects.  There are several entities needing additional funding for emergency infrastructure (Dubois and Hudson) and Commissioner Hickerson would like to have a meeting in the near future to re-allocate any unused funding. 

Deputy County Attorney Jodi Darrough updated the Board on the appropriate process to take if a landowner wants to appeal the Fremont County Planning Department’s Small Wastewater Regulations.  As the Planning Commission is an advisory council only, any appeal of the Department must come before the County Commissioners and not through the Planning Commission.  The Planning Commission has not been delegated the authority to make final decisions or to act as an appellate body for decisions from the Planning Department regarding permitting.  The County Commission can; however, refer a matter to the Planning Commission for investigative purposes.  Darrough subsequently recommended that the Commissioners advise their next agenda appointment with Wayne Dick that he is entitled to an Appeal Hearing. 

 Mr. Wayne Dick joined the meeting to contest the denial of the Planning Department to re-connect to his septic system which was built before the permitting process was instituted.  Present in the audience was Deputy County Attorney Jodi Darrough, Planning Department Supervisor Ray Price and Small Wastewater Specialist Mila Ready.  Mr. Dick stated he was connected to Riverton City sewer when the Webbwood Road project was undertaken and further claims he did not get notice of that connection nor have a chance to protest.  Chairman Thompson informed Mr. Dick of Deputy County Attorney’s previous advice to offer him an Appeal Hearing pursuant to the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act.  As a result, Mr. Dick agreed to submit a written request for an Appeal Hearing which will be scheduled on March 2, 2010, at which time both parties may present evidence, and have the chance to be represented by legal counsel, if they so wish.  The Commission will subsequently provide findings of fact and conclusions of law, as per the Wyoming Administrative Procedures Act contested case procedure. 

Small Wastewater Specialist Mila Ready reviewed an updated Delegation Agreement between the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality and Fremont County.  The current Delegation Agreement was entered into on March 8, 1985 and the updated document is an effort to update language and address technical obligations of both the DEQ and Fremont County.  The Fremont County Planning Commission approved the updated agreement at their January meeting.   Ready stated that all wastewater permits have been scanned into the computer system which will assist both entities.  She was asked to clarify several issues and report back with a final document when ready. 

Financial Assistant Mike Stalder and Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor Glen Steers updated the Board on repairs Steers would like to make to a water tanker that was purchased through the Capital Revolving Fund.  In order to use the tanker more efficiently, an additional $2,000 will be put into the unit for plumbing.  Dennis Christensen moved, Pat Hickerson seconded, to authorize an additional $2,000 into the Capital Revolving Fund for plumbing repairs to a water tanker.  Motion carried unanimously.  The transfer will be made from the Transportation Department line item into the Capital Revolving Fund.  Discussion was held regarding a reserve account with the Capital Revolving Fund for repairs and unexpected costs associated with approved purchases. 

Financial Assistant Mike Stalder presented preliminary information for an upcoming public hearing for budget transfers and unanticipated revenues. 

Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor Glen Steers requested authorization to build another type of head for the rotary mower used by the Riverton Shop.  Staff will pattern the new head after the mower used in the Lander Shop.  Steers estimated the project to cost between $4,000 and $7,000 to include steel, hydraulic motor, etc. and will be paid from the Transportation budget.  Dennis Heckart moved, Dennis Christensen seconded, to request a final quote for materials for review at the next regular meeting.  Motion carried unanimously.   Financial Assistant Mike Stalder recommended that the labor involved in the project be included in the cost of the capital asset. 

County Treasurer Scott Harnsberger and Deputy Jim Massman and County Assessor Eileen Oakley and Deputy Tara Berg presented anticipated revenues and assessed valuation, respectively.  Treasurer Harnsberger submitted a memo stating updated revenue projections for the current fiscal year (2009/2010) are anticipated to be $22.4 million of general fund revenue and transfers (including property taxes).  They anticipate $18.9 million of general fund revenue for next fiscal year, which includes property tax revenue (2010/2011).  The current year estimate represents a general fund net decrease of $2.7 million when compared to the adopted budget as of December 2009.  Significant changes include Federal Payment in Lieu of Tax ($1.2 million decrease due to an adjustment for Forest Reserve Funds received in the prior year), state sales and use tax ($1.0 million decrease), and property tax ($0.3 million decrease).  The upcoming year projection represents $3.5 million further decrease in total anticipated revenue from $22.4 to $18.9 million, the most significant changes being property taxes ($2.9 million decrease) and state assistance ($1.1 million).  The upcoming year projection is based on many assumptions:  1) Current property tax for FY 2010/2011 and future year projections is based on a general fund mill levy of 8.8 mills; 2) Delinquent property tax and the interest thereon are based on normal delinquent collections; 3) Sales and use taxes are based on the most recent Wyoming revenue forecast by the State of Wyoming Consensus Revenue Estimating Group; 4) State assistance is based on the expiration of state aid (the 2010 Legislature may appropriate additional funding; however, no additional appropriation is included in the projection); and 5)  Investment income estimate for 2010/2011 is based on an average rate of return of 3% and cash available to invest averaging $11 million.  

Assessor Oakley, in conjunction with Treasurer Harnsberger, developed Fremont County assessed value projections for future years.  They anticipate total assessed value to be $782 million for Fiscal Year 2011 (tax year 2010) resulting from a 54% reduction in natural gas prices.  Anticipated assessed valuation for fiscal year 2012 will recover to $830 million primarily due to higher natural gas prices.  The projections are based on numerous assumptions:  1) Oil and gas volumes for FY 2011 are based on statistics from the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and Wyoming Department of Revenue.  Future year projections are based on their own estimate using historical information and discussions with industry leaders, as well as figures published in the Wyoming State Government Revenue Forecast Fiscal Year 2010-2014 (CREG Report).  In addition, they adjusted the value of natural gas production for FY 2011 and later due to the legally mandated change in valuation method for processed natural gas.  Other values are expected to increase at various rates. 

On a final note, it was noted that Fremont County is blessed with cash reserves and it is anticipated the County can ride out the storm because an additional $5 million was placed in cash reserves the last budget cycle in anticipation of the lower revenues for the upcoming fiscal year.  Past spending has been spent on capital projects and the county did not allow a large increase in the number of employees.  County Clerk Julie Freese and Treasurer Harnsberger will be working on the expenditure side of the scenario and report to the Board in March.  A large factor will be road department projects for the upcoming fiscal year.

 Commissioner Whiteman excused herself at 12:00 p.m. to attend the monthly Juvenile Treatment Court meeting. 

County Clerk Julie Freese reviewed the budget packets.  The Board suggested several changes to the cover letter to include a list of statutory requirements.  They also asked that Departments be updated on the rationale as to why the budgets should be reduced or kept the same.  She will have a final letter ready for their approval during the March 2^nd meeting. 

Commissioner Christensen reported on the recent Wyoming County Commissioners Association Legislative meeting he attended in Cheyenne, along with Commissioners Thompson and Hickerson.  The meeting was very informative and he was able to have an audience with the Governor. 

Commissioner Hickerson also agreed the recent WCCA meeting was very worthwhile.  He worked with other County Commissioners to come up with a good position on legislation that will affect the counties.  He and Commissioner Thompson testified at a couple of Committee Hearings regarding several bills.  He stated a draft letter submitted by the Natural Resource Planning Committee should be finalized and signed immediately to fall within the new deadline for the comments on the Forest Service land management planning rule. 

Chairman Thompson stated there was an excellent attendance at the dinner hosted by the Commissioners for the Fremont County legislators during the WCCA Legislative Meeting.  They were able to have good substantive discussion regarding numerous bills. 

Commissioner Heckart stated he would attend the Riverton City Council meeting that evening where Spencer Subdivision annexation and the MOU with the Northern Arapaho Tribe would be discussed. 

There being no further business, Dennis Heckart moved, Dennis Christensen seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 12:30 p.m. and reconvene on March 2, 2010.  Motion carried unanimously. 

                                                                        /s/         DOUGLAS L. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN

                                                                                    FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

 ATTEST

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

7 to 8:30 p.m.

At the Lander Hospital

Free class, please pre-register by calling 335-6397

http://fremontcountywy.org/public-health/maternal-child-health/

8:30 a.m to 1 p.m.

The class is free, but please pre-register by call Lander Parks & Recreation at 332-4647

8:30 a.m  to Noon

Cost: $5

Register with Lander Parks & Recreation 332-4647

 9 a.m. to Noon  in Lander

 By appointment only

 Call Public Health @ 332-1073

 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Noon  in Dubois

 By appointment only

 Call Public Health @ 856-6979 or 1-800-

967-2297, ext 3620

 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Noon  in Riverton

 By appointment only

 Call Public Health @ 856-6979

 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Noon  in Riverton

 By appointment only

 Call Public Health @ 856-6979

 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Noon  in Riverton

 By appointment only

 Call Public Health @ 856-6979