Grant funding cut for two programs

Budget cuts with just about everything in the country is affecting Hot Springs County as well, as shown during the county commissioners meeting on Tuesday.

Nate Messenger, FBO for the Hot Springs County Airport, informed the commissioners they have been awarded the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) Department of Aeronautics grant for the annual fly-in in August.

Unfortunately, what has generally been a $5,000 grant to defray expenses for the event has been cut literally in half, getting just $2,500 this year.

A firm date has not been set for the fly-in, but Messenger said now that they know how much they have to work with he can begin firming up plans.

In regards to the old airport, WYDOT has agreed to paint the necessary “X’s” on the tarmac surface, officially closing it to any further landings. A specific date has not been set, however, once the markings are put on the strip planes may leave the airport but will not be able to return.

Another drastic cut that took the commissioners by surprise came from Barb Rice, Youth Alternatives Coordinator.

Grant funding has been the major source of income for the program that keeps youth offenders out of jail through a diversion program, a program that has been very successful since its inception a few years ago.

Rice informed the commissioners that this year her grant funding will amount to just $8,453, an enormous cut from the $25,242 in funding received for 2016. She will be going through her budget thoroughly in order to figure out where she can make cuts and will report back to the commissioners at their April 21 meeting.

Bids were opened during the meeting for a series of automatic door closers for offices in the courthouse, including the treasurer’s office, clerk, assessor, Clerk of District Court and the county attorney’s office.

The automatic closers would be in place as a safety measure in the event of an active shooter incident or other emergency.

One sealed bid was received from Jadeco and a second from Zupan Electric.

The bid from Jadeco was in the amount of $9,838. When the bid envelope from Zupan Electric was opened it contained a note indicating they “did not have a bid at this time.”

The commissioners granted the job to Jadeco after choosing the wireless option for each of the offices.

In their afternoon session, the commissioners heard from the University of Wyoming Extension Services and the 4-H program.

From nutrition resources to land management, gardening and pesticide programs to animal husbandry and soil testing, each of the departments under the Extension Service told the commissioners what they have been doing for Hot Springs County over the last year.

Joey Johnson with the 4-H program provided numbers of youth that have been enrolled in the program over the last few years. For 2017, Johnson said there are currently 113 children in the various programs, a number that is sure to rise once open livestock enrollment is complete and Cloverbuds, the smallest 4-H members, begin their activities.

Just a few of the 4-H programs offered include shooting sports, which are up by 16 students from last year, sport fishing, foods, photography, cake decorating, all manner of animals, gardening, leadership, leathercrafts and even robotics.