HS County valuation up 7 million

At the May 17 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting, County Assessor Dan Webber came to present the 2022 Abstract for the Board of Equalization. The commissioners then recessed and reconvened the meeting under the Board of Equalization. Webber said that the locally assessed value of properties in Hot Springs County is $59,988,460 and that is the number on those estimates. 

Webber added, “It’s up roughly $7 million. It was in the $52 million range last year. We got through the 30-day appeal period. We did not have an appeal, so you won’t have to do any hearings this year. And really, to be honest, there weren’t a whole lot of questions. I think the article that we put in the newspaper was probably helpful in explaining to people what was going on with those notices and I think there were a couple of articles in there beforehand from the local realtors. I think that people were expecting to see what they saw. There really weren’t a whole lot of complaints.” Webber noted that the report does not include minerals.

The Board of Equalization voted and passed approval to accept the 2022 Abstract. The board then adjured and the members then reconvened the county commissioners’ meeting. 

Wade Lippencott, representing Hot City Outdoor Alliance, presented a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Wyoming Pathways and Hot Springs County. The MOU is for five years and addresses the multi-user trails in the Roundtop and T-Hill areas.

The commissioners read through the agreement and highlighted some concerns. Under the responsibilities of Hot Springs County, there was language about the county’s need to obtain all NEPA clearances and about public access easements. The commissioners did not want that included in the MOU.

Lippencott suggested they could add language about the fluidity of the trail. Chairman Tom Ryan asked that the MOU be sent to county attorney Jill Logan for review and that Lippencott should have another meeting later so that they can get the document’s language done right. 

Jackie Dorothy presented a grant to the commissioners for the Wyoming Business Council. This grant would be used to provide infrastructure for future development at the old airport site. After a discussion with the commissioners, Dorothy agreed to continue the work and look for a new estimate.

Shane Rankin of Road and Bridge and Anthony Barnett of Engineers Associates spoke with the commissioners about the Cottonwood culvert replacement and asked for authorization to proceed with the work. The commissioners voted and approved the authorization to bid the project and to proceed.

The commissioners then had a brief discussion with Rankin about the Black Mountain Road project and their concerns about the staging area. 

The commissioners next voted and approved a document that sets Hot Springs County elected officials and county commissioner salaries. For year 1 of 2023, there is no increase. For years 2-4 from 2024 to 2026, there will be a 2.5% raise each year. These actions are in accordance with Wyoming Statute 18-3-107.

County Clerk Becky Kersten said, “County Elected Officials and Commissioners must set their salaries at four-year increments by statute. This agenda item was only for elected officials and commissioners. The other county employees’ salaries are set during budget meetings which have not yet taken place.”

Kersten next presented the Secretary of State Election Security Grant that will pay for new security cameras and video equipment to be placed in observance of the election equipment, the ballot storage and the registration. 

The commissioners voted and approved to accept the grant for $7,152 for the installation of the camera security system.

Kersten also presented Resolution 2022-05 for establishing a polling place and absentee counting center, which will be the County Court House. The commissioners voted and passed the resolution.

Benefits consultants Brad Johnson and Melissa Bilby of Hub International presented to the commissioners the county’s health insurance review. They discussed premiums, prescriptions, and other elements of the policy. Johnson noted that the previous year was costly due to insurance claims, Covid and that there was more outpatient care versus inpatient care.

The commissioners went into an executive session with Johnson and Bilby to discuss personnel.

When they returned to normal proceedings, the commissioners voted and passed the approval of three items. The first was to assign County Clerk Becky Kersten as the point of contact and administrator of the county’s health insurance plan. The second was to select Summit Insurance’s policy for the said plan. The third item was to renew the contract with Johnson as the county’s benefits consultant.

Attorney Mike Messenger and Ethan Brooks held a discussion with the commissioners about the Gas Ventures Lease Transfer. Messenger said, “Gentlemen, ladies, we’re here to make money for Hot Springs County. And what we want to do is obtain from the BLM, a lease on a producer of oil and two injection wells that are in default and defunct with the BLM. BLM isn’t taking any action at the moment. However, they have indicated or stated that should the county foreclose on taxes on that, they will consider the cancelation of the leases.”

Messenger added, “I don’t have that in writing, and it depends on who you talk to at the BLM as to what information you get. I have talked to County Attorney Jill Logan about this, and I’ve talked to Mrs. Mortimer about this. And so what we propose is if the county would be willing to appoint an oil and gas attorney as a special assistant attorney for Jill and Jill’s agreeable and we would pay those legal fees and we would also commit to paying, of course, the taxes which is about $100,000, which might go some way to paying for your health insurance, which right now you don’t see any of that, and you’re not going to see any of it.”

Chairman Tom Ryan agreed with Messenger. County Attorney Logan said, “I’m happy to look into it more.” Ryan then directed Logan to pursue along with Messenger to look for side counsel to pursue this possibility. 

County Sergeant Scott Gardner, on behalf of Sheriff Jerimie Krashaaur, held a discussion about a vehicle acquisition for the Sheriff’s Department.

Gardner presented detailed information to the commissioners regarding a future vehicle purchase. There was no vote, just an “approval” from the commissioners, so the expense will be one of the budgeted purchases for next year.

The commissioners’ secretary Penny Heardt presented a Hot Springs County Use Application and sought their approval for its language. This application will be a formal document for citizens or other parties to request the use of a county building for the use of social gathers or other uses. 

The commissioners also voted and passed the approval of the T-O Professional Services Agreement for the Emergency Lake Creek Drainage Crossing Repair. They also voted and passed approval to use Tumbleweed Propane for the county airport. Commissioner Phil Scheel recused himself from the vote and discussion.

County Clerk Becky Kersten held a discussion about the Senior Center Building that will be vacated later as they move into the old Shopko building. The State said that if the county does not find a use for the vacated building, the county would have to give up the lease and the land for the property. The commissioners said that they intend to use the building, although no concrete plans are in order. 

Chairman Ryan then gave a description of his experiences at the Wyoming County Commissioners Association (WCCA) retreat in Jackson. The attendees went to the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Ryan said they discussed changes in roles and personnel assignments and their involvement with the state as they are restructuring. Ryan also said the WCCA is increasing its dues and the amount Hot Springs County is to pay is $2,500.

The commissioners voted and approved the Long Control Service Agreement for $10,728.