Commissioners receive request from Thrive Thermopolis for office space

At the July 15 Hot Springs County Commissioners board meeting held at the Annex building, the commissioners held a public budget hearing.

Chairman Tom Ryan noted that County Clerk Becky Kersten received a note from County Treasure Julie Mortimore that she discovered $77,108.28 of additional cash available and they needed to update those funds to be included in the budget.

Chairman Ryan opened the meeting for public comments and none were given.

The commissioners then voted and passed the approval to have Resolution 2024-13 plus Amendment A included. This amendment has $108.28 to go to emergency expenditures and $77,000 to go to the reserve.

The commissioners also voted and passed the approval of the Special Account Payable Warrant for $89,021.96.

Ardurra’s Dusty Spomer presented their letter of recommendation for awarding Wilson Brothers Construction for their bid for the Black Mountain Road Project. Spomer said that Wilson Brothers was 13% above the estimate. The commissioners voted and passed the approval of the preliminary selection of contractors for Wilson Brothers for the Black Mountain Road Project. During their discussion, Spomer and the commissioners said they are looking for additional funds for the next few months and that work will begin in the winter and construction in 2025. The completion date is in 2026.

Shurie Scheel, representing Thrive Thermopolis, held a discussion and presented a request to the commissioners about having office space in the Common Ground Building basement. Shurie Scheel said they had three filing cabinets full of documents from the previous entity of the Economic Development Council. This location would not be the public face of the Thrive Thermopolis, and that this is for temporary use with no charges involved.

Commissioner Phil Scheel stepped away from the meeting room and did not discuss, motion or vote on the matter.

Chairman Tom Ryan and Commissioner Paul Galovich asked County Attorney Jill Logan if she could draft a Memorandum of Understanding. 

The commissioners voted and passed the approval of the Request for Qualifications for Airport Engineering Services. This is done every five years and is done in conjunction with the FAA. 

Sheriff Jerimie Kraushaar presented a request to the commissioners to get the trade in back for $12,000 as one of their 2019 Ram was totaled after a deputy struck an elk. The commissioners told Sheriff Kraushaar to move forward with the request.

In other business, the commissioners voted and passed the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wyoming Office of Guardian Ad Litem, for 25% of Fees Paid to County and Admin Fee, Effective Upon Full Execution Through June 30, 25; and to approve action for the National Opioid Settlement Participation to become eligible to potentially receive the funds;  and the approval of Federal Financial Annual Report, FS 425, for Federal Fiscal Year 22-23 for the Airport ARPA Grant.