Meeting set to discuss BHB Water Joint Powers Board

At the December 20 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting, Tricia McPhie presented the cash handling policy for review, which has not been updated since 2019. The commissioners voted and passed the approval to accept the policy. 

The commissioners voted to approve county board appointments, including Ginger Ward for the Fair Board, Jim Lash for the Predatory Animal Control Board, Arnold Pennoyer for Area 2 of the Weed & Pest Board and Dee Hillberry for Area 5 of the Weed & Pest Board. It was noted that no applications were submitted for the Natural Resources Planning Commission or the Land Use Planning Commission.

The commissioners voted to pass the approval to sign two warranty deeds for the High Country Behavioral Health properties and for the Head Start Property. These warranty deeds were a result of splitting the original property. The commissioners made the counseling center property contingent that it would always be used for mental health services and that if it was sold again later, it would revert back to Hot Springs County. 

Rose Basko held a discussion with the commissioners about reviving the Big Horn Basin Water Joint Powers Board. Part of the conversation was to explore the possibility of collaborating with the Town of Thermopolis to join the board, along with the various other entities in the county. They need to get organized in time for the state of Wyoming legislative session that meets in September to have the opportunity to potentially receive funding. There will be a work session on January 17 at 1 p.m. to discuss these matters and the commissioners plan to invite the Town of Thermopolis. All various representatives of the water district entities are invited to come. 

The commissioners addressed the request for a change in the road dedication for Lane 14. County Attorney Jill Logan said she looked into the matter and revealed that according to state statute if the commissioners were to change the dedication they would ultimately void the plat and the subdivision. After reviewing Logan’s investigation, Chairman Tom Ryan and the other commissioners said that they have “no appetite” to make the change. They mentioned there would be a “ripple effect” and a precedent made in the State of Wyoming if this were to be done. Therefore, they voted unanimously to deny the change in the road dedication. 

The commissioners voted and passed the approval to sign the memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the BLM Sage Grouse Management Plant Amendments. The MOU is with the Department of Interior, and Hot Springs County would be a cooperating agency.

The commissioners held a public hearing for the Amended Wyoming Business Council Business Readiness Grant Application for the old airport. Consultant Jackie Dorothy said that no changes were made to grant other than having a higher match to what the minimum was in case there are cost overruns. The grant is for $3 million to make the old airport property a business-ready entity. The decision for the application to potentially be accepted will be done in February’s budget session. As part of the application, they want the old airport to include potential water and sewer lines to support a commercial operation. The commissioners are interested in acquiring property owned by Chuck Engles on the north side of T-Hill to have an access road to the property. Also, the commissioners want to grind up the asphalt of the old runway and use the material for other projects such as the Black Mountain Road project. 

During the public comments, matters such as does the commissioner’s project have a good return on investment were brought up. Another issue brought up was about workforce matters and finding enough staffing. One comment made had to do with the Big Horn Basin Nature and Discovery Center’s plans to have a museum and that their projects might be redundant to the potential convention center at the old airport property. The tourist season and the winter shutdown were also mentioned and the potential convention center would not have year-round use. Improving the golf course was brought up with the idea of adding another nine holes to it. However, it was later noted that the county commissioners have nothing to do with the golf course as it falls under the Town of Thermopolis. Another item mentioned is that a 60-foot easement on Engle’s property might be better than purchasing the land. 

Dan Wychgram discussed his proposal that he offered to the commissioners to put in a residential park for high-end airplane pilots. Wynchgram’s proposal would buy the property for $500,000. However, Chairman Ryan said that a $2 million offer would be more acceptable. 

After there were no more public comments, the commissioners voted unanimously to sign the resolution for the Wyoming Business Council Business Readiness Grant Application for the old airport.