Commissioners discuss courthouse security

The Hot Springs County Commissioners discussed courthouse security, signed a Maternal Child Health Contract with Public Health and approved a lease with Legion Town and Country Club at a meeting on Tuesday.

County Commissioners discussed courthouse security updates.

Road and Bridge supervisor Dave Schlager said the courthouse will have new signage next month and they are looking into prices for panic bars that will be placed in the courtroom.

Judge E. Robert Skar said they want to make the courthouse safer for everyone.

“We’re just trying to make it a safer place for everyone,” he said.

The County Commissioners said they plan to attend the next meeting to further discuss possible measures to increase courtroom security.

The National Center for State Courts has been visiting courthouses throughout Wyoming. They intend to visit Thermopolis in October for an assessment. The organization may be able to supply some funds for updated security after the assessment.

Hot Springs County Public Health Nurse Marie McDougall met with County Commissioners to discuss a Maternal Child Health Contract. The MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is to provide funding to the County to assist with home visitation services through the Healthy Baby Home Visitation Program and other maternal and child health services. Commissioners signed the contract.

Commissioners signed a lease with Legion Town and Country Club for use of the green hangar, located at 158 Airport Road, at the former Hot Springs County Airport site.

The lease agreement states that Legion Town and Country Club will pay $100 per month for use of the green hangar on a month-to-month basis, and that they will also cover all electric costs incurred while they occupy the building.

Donnie Bjorhus intends to use the facility to protect equipment, such as golf carts.

County Commissioners also accepted the resignation, with regret, of Hot Springs County Health Officer Howard T. Wilson, M.D.

The Hot Springs County 4-H Extension Educator 2017 Contract was also approved, meaning the county will pay 50 percent of their salary.

They also reallocated SLIB funds for the SRE building to the Joint Law Enforcement Communications Dispatch in the amount of $18,000. The reallocation has already been approved by the Town of Thermopolis and Mayor Mike Mortimore.