Commissioners hear department updates

At the February 4 Hot Springs County Commissioners board meeting held at the annex building, Ardurra’s Brian Clarkson and Maddie Ross gave the Geographical Information System (GIS) update. 

Regarding the work completed or in progress done, they said they ran automated parcel updates for ArcGIS Online data on each Monday of the month. They also drew and attributed 2024 septic permits, uploaded documents to AWS, and appended new permit locations to ArcGIS Online data.

Ross also said they drew and attributed Land Use Change tracts, uploaded documents to AWS, and appended LUC tracts to ArcGIS Online data. Additionally, they scheduled an in-person work session for February 4. Also; they coordinated with dispatch service providers to gather requirements for adding GIS data layers to the County’s dispatch apps and received information from Prepared911 and uploaded data to Box for Motorola Callworks. 

Regarding anticipated work for the next period, Ross said they will update the ArcGIS Online parcel layer on each Monday of the month, and travel to Hot Springs County for the commissioners work session to Address Points Editor applications. 

Ross said they will also draw and attribute 2024 septic permits and LUC tracts as necessary. They will upload documents to AWS and append new information to ArcGIS Online data. They will also purchase one ArcGIS Online Mobile Worker license for the Planning Department.

Additionally, Ross said they will begin work on Septic Permit Inspection Field Maps App and Online Editor and complete revisions to the LUC Lookup App. They will continue work on NG911 layers, including road centerlines and addresses and coordinate with county staff to obtain additional required data to verify addresses in the field. Also, they will follow up with additional dispatch service providers (E-Force) to get information about adding GIS data to their systems. They will also continue providing support for online applications.

Nate Messenger gave the Fixed Based Operator (FBO) report and said that they had 164 total recorded operations. These included five air ambulances, and eight overnight aircraft. There were four requests for hangar space, including two single engine piston aircraft, one King Air 200, and one medevac aircraft. The medevac aircraft turned a flight request down on January 13 due to forecast icing conditions and the airport not having the facilities to remove the ice.

Regarding fuel sales, they sold 906.83 gallons of Avgas and 666.86 gallons of jet fuel.

Messenger said, “The month of January showed an upward trend in traffic and fuel sales. We had some cold days, but it has still been a pretty mild winter. Hopefully we will ease out of winter and start to see more traffic.”

Messenger also said, “We may have to look at replacing the hose on the jet fuel self serve tank. It is starting to weather check pretty good. DEQ made us replace the Avgas hose two years ago with the same issue. I believe the hose will run about $1,500, but I can get an exact quote if needed.”

Shane Rankin gave the Road & Bridge update and said they have been doing winter equipment maintenance, along with plowing snow and sanding the roads. They will also work on signage issues. Rankin also said he completed the state gravel pit reports.

Rankin, along with County Planner Les Cullition, said that the lease for all six gravel pit mines are up at the same time and their fees have quadrupled in cost, $1,000 each. The original cost of the fee was $200. The permits will go through December 31, 2029.

Rankin also gave an update on the Black Mountain Road project. A reconstruction meeting was on January 8. The contractor received notice to proceed with work starting on January 21. They began mobilizing equipment and materials on site, and contractors began culvert cleaning and lining smaller diameter culverts. Rankin said 80% of the small culverts are already lined. Ranking will also provide storage space for one of the contractor’s equipment in case it gets too cold. 

Les Culliton gave the Planner/Project Manager report and said a DEQ Septic Update Seminar will be in Casper on April 3-4. He submitted the annual septic report to the DEQ. There are still two applications that were incomplete.

Culliton said that the Natural Resources Planning Committee met on January 8 with State Representative John Winter providing an update. On January 15, the Land Use Planning Commission met with no agenda but officers were elected. Culliton also said they will continue to work on the 518 Arapaho Street property.

Shawn Mohr gave the Prevention/Public Health update and said they will have an emergency management exercise on April 14 at the fairgrounds involving several agencies, including the Sheriff’s office, the Police & Fire Departments, EMS, and the hospital. Mohr also said that they have performed more rapid tests. 

Regarding Prevention, Mohr said this month they are focused on adult overconsumption of alcohol and will share information with the community as well as focusing on mental health. They also had a community walk with about 35 people participating. Also, they had a free cessation program about quitting tobacco and vaping prevention.  

Mohr also said they are still trying to hire a child health nurse practitioner.

John Dorman gave the Maintenance report and said the county museum’s front door needs to be replaced and asked the commissioners whose responsibility is it to pay for it. After discussing the matter, the county will pay for it and Dorman will seek out a quote, noting it takes about two to three months for parts to arrive. 

The commissioners voted and passed the approval for the KONE Care Agreement or $19,610 for the Passenger Elevator Safety Edge Replacements at the Courthouse.

Barb Rice gave the Youth Alternative report and said they have 12 total juveniles, including 11 males and one female. Six citations were from Circuit Court and the other six citations were from Municipal Court.

Rice said they did three major moving projects with a busy month of January doing community service. They participated in the Prevention walk for mental health awareness and advocacy. They started an education series through the University of Wyoming on parenting. This included de-escalation and skills development, also mental health for caregivers and dealing with difficult children.

Rice also discussed her efforts to have her students take the Alive! At 25 courses and to finally get it facilitated. Also, they have been working with Central Wyoming College to get their building ready for college and career readiness, and adult basic education. 

The commissioners also held a discussion about the recent Wyoming County Commissioners Association Meeting in Cheyenne. They revealed various legislations and also voted on issues they were concerned about. It was also a time of networking and meeting other counties and their representatives.

In other business, the commissioners voted and passed the approval to sign a Support Letter for Owl Creek Water District for the Office of State Lands and Investments Grant.