McNeff appointed as district court clerk

At the December 19 Hot Springs County Commissioners board meeting, the commissioners went into executive session at the beginning. Afterward, the board reconvened into regular session, where they voted and passed the approval to appoint Kristina McNeff to the District Court Clerk position for Hot Springs County. The previous District Court Clerk, Terri Cornella, retired on December 1. 

The commissioners voted and passed the approval of the Professional Services Agreement with Ardurra for $115,080.50 for the County Hangar Project.

County Planner Les Culliton presented the request for the approval of the Final Plat for the Wyoming Whiskey Minor Subdivision. The commissioners voted and passed the approval for Chairman Tom Ryan’s signature to be on the plat.

Culliton also requested approval of the following Black Mountain Road Easement Applications: For Transportation, Utility Systems, Telecommunications, and Facilities on Federal Lands and Property; a Permanent Easement Application for $800 to State Lands and Investments; a Temporary Easement Application for $700 to State Lands and Investments; and $140 to Reed Lyman. The commissioners voted and passed the approval of these individually. 

County Clerk Becky Kersten updated the commissioners on the Special District Department of Audit Compliance and said that all of them were in compliance with the exception of the Rural Fire District, which still did not turn in their annual report to the clerk’s office.

The commissioners held a discussion for a Permit to Appropriate Ground Water in the Thermopolis Area of Concern. The commissioners noted that this was not an approval process and they have not opposed the proposed well. The Hot Springs County Commissioners do not have jurisdiction over this.

The proposed well is 75 feet deep in the Red Lane areas and does not seem to be a threat to the underground Big Springs water system.  The well is for river water proposed to be used for irrigation and sprinkler water with 25 gallons per minute in use.

In other business, the commissioners voted and passed the approval of Belle Belden to the HSC Fair Board and Mark Walker, and Robert Aguiar to the Predatory Animal Control Board.

They also voted and passed the approval of the Final Resolution for Dissolution of the Cottonwood/Grass Creek Watershed Improvement District and the approval of the Facility Use Application for the Assessors’ Association Meeting.