STATE OF WYOMING ) LANDER, WYOMING
) ss. OFFICE OF THE FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF FREMONT ) May 20, 2014
The Board of Fremont County Commissioners met in Regular Session at 9:00 a.m. with the following members present: Chairman Douglas L. Thompson, Travis Becker, Stephanie Kessler and Stephanie Kessler. Vice-Commissioner Whiteman was absent for professional reasons. County Clerk and Clerk of the Board Julie A. Freese was present for the meeting.
Larry Allen moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to approve the Agenda, as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Stephanie Kessler moved, Travis Becker seconded, to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting held May 13, 2014, as amended. Motion carried unanimously. Travis Becker moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to amend the May 6, 2014 minutes to reflect Treasurer Harnsberger’s prior notice to the Board regarding the hiring of Sharon Rogers, and to disclose that Ms. Rogers is his aunt by her marriage to his mother’s brother. Motion carried unanimously. At that time, Harnsberger had stated Deputy County Treasurer Jim Massman would be her direct supervisor for the part time position she will hold during the yearly audit preparation.
Stephanie Kessler moved, Larry Allen seconded, to accept the regular bills for payment. Motion carried unanimously.
Name Department Name Invoice Description Total Cost
Ace Hardware-Lander County Sheriff Materials/Supplies $70.30
Ace Hardware-Riverton Co Buildings Materials/Supplies $14.48
Alsco Inc Co Buildings Laundry $33.60
Amerigas Propane LP Co Buildings Propane $1,554.79
ANDA Inc Immunization Program Vaccine $7,721.25
B I Inc Jail Monthly Charges $120.00
Bailey Enterprises, Inc County Sheriff Fuel,Parts,Supplies & Services $40.00
Baseline Equipment Company Jail Safety Devices $260.50
Bauman, Jennifer M. Public Defender Court Transcripts $2,445.50
Beddoes, Paul Jail Reimburse Expenses $62.45
Business Mailing Solutions, Inc Jail Postage Machine Ink Roller $218.00
Capital Business Systems, Inc Clerk District Ct/Computer Svcs Supplies & Maintenance Contract $2,555.47
Cardinal Health Jail Inmate Medical Supplies $87.33
Casper Star Tribune Support Services Advertising Justice Center $241.90
CenturyLink E911 Program Services $5,519.19
Clifford,Gregory P. MD PC Jail Inmate Medical $360.00
DeGraw, Larry R County Sheriff Bailiff Services $390.00
Dell Marketing, L.P. County Attorney Computer Equipment,Supplies $75.59
Dubois Hardware, Co County Sheriff Supplies $3.49
Duckwall-Alco Stores, Inc Ambulance Supplies $16.55
Emergency Medical Products, Inc Ambulance Medical Supplies $133.88
Fahey,Penny Health Promotion Reimburse Expenses $209.61
Farmer Bros. Co. Jail Coffee $669.73
Federal Express Corp County Sheriff Shipping Fees $68.02
Food Services of America Jail Prisoner Board $7,395.60
Freese, Julie County Clerk Reimburse Expenses $21.14
Fremont Co Search & Rescue Search & Rescue Reimburse Expense $750.98
Fremont Counseling-Lander Health & Welfare Title 25 $2,640.00
Fremont County Emergency Jail Inmate Medical $552.00
Fremont Ears Nose & Throat Jail Inmate Medical $225.00
Fremont Information Services County Commission Website Host $164.40
General Binding Corp Jail Equipment Repair $315.64
Globalstar USA Search & Rescue Satellite Phone Service $113.08
Grainger Co Buildings – Admin Materials/Supplies $181.44
Hammer Electronics County Sheriff Supplies $7.96
Harris, Cindy Juvenile Justice Delinquency Program Contractual Services $50.00
Homax Oil Sales Inc County Sheriff Fuel $45.84
Horizon Laboratory LLC County Coroner Toxicology Fees $131.00
Information Systems Consult Inc E911 Program Supplies $3,400.00
Lander Medical Clinic PC Jail Inmate Medical $236.30
Lander Valley Physicians Practice Jail Inmate Medical $7,323.00
Lander’s Main St Car Wash LLC County Sheriff Wash Time $15.02
Lincare, Inc Jail Inmate Medical $29.65
Linton’s Big R Store County Sheriff Uniform Supplies $169.95
McGraw Hill Financial Inc Support Services Advertising $267.50
Meadow Gold Dairies Inc Jail Inmate Board $1,402.91
Moore Medical, LLC Ambulance Medical Supplies $1,509.79
Mountain Dental PC Jail Inmate Medical $1,564.00
Mr D’s Food Center Inc Segregated Supplies $1,142.45
Napa Auto Parts-Lander Co Buildings Parts &/or Supplies $6.93
National Food Group Inc Jail Inmate Board $1,823.99
Neopost USA Inc County Sheriff Postage Machine Meter Rental $161.70
NMS Laboratories County Coroner Toxicology Services $370.00
Norco Inc Co Buildings Rentals,Oxygen,Supplies $3,684.57
O’Reilly Automotive Inc Co Buildings Equipment & Supplies $6.99
Palace Pharmacy Jail Inmate Rx’s $20,175.41
PitchEngine Inc County Clerk Advertising $250.00
Quickspace County Commission Connex’s for Court Security $2,010.00
Quill Corporation Segregated Office / Computer Supplies $1,167.34
R C Lock & Key Co Buildings Keys,Supplies & Services $97.96
Ratigan, Daniel, M.D. Jail Training $1,126.28
Reed’s Moghaun Office Supply Segregated Office Supplies $2,843.88
Safeway Inc Jail Inmate Medical $41.12
Sagewest Health Care Jail Inmate Medical $8,915.90
Shirts & More Inc Co Buildings Signs $72.50
Snider, Yvonne Voca Grant – Sheriff Reim. Mileage &/or Expenses $141.12
Specialized Pathology Consult County Coroner Autopsy Fee $1,040.00
Stitches Embroidery Ambulance Embroidering $582.96
Stroupe Pest Control Inc Co Buildings Pest Control $90.00
Sweetwater County Sheriff Jail Juvenile Housing/Inmate Medical $9,875.00
Taylor Creek Exxon County Sheriff Car Wash $29.00
Telewest IV Inc Jail Inmate Supplies $3,282.40
Thompson, Codi S., RD Jail Contract Services $153.30
Thompson,Douglas L County Commission Reim. Mileage &/or Expenses $568.68
University of Wyoming County Coroner Professional Services $102.00
Valley Lumber & Supply Co Inc Co Buildings Materials/Supplies $137.31
Verizon Wireless Juvenile Treatment Court Cellphone Provider $196.52
West Payment Center Co Attorney/District Court West Information Charges $2,799.93
Western Printing, Inc Jail Printed Supplies $275.00
Whiteman, Keja County Commission Reimbursement Mileage/Meals $112.04
Wilson,Terry Public Health Emergency Reimburse Expenses $251.58
Wind River Auto Parts LLC Co Buildings Supplies $7.42
Wind River Radiology PC Jail Inmate Medical $235.00
WLECA 2014 Training County Sheriff Chaplains Seminar $350.00
Wy State Lands & Investments Spencer Home Sites Debt Svce Fund Loan Payment $1,615.66
Wyoming Behavioral Institute Health & Welfare Title 25 $4,110.00
Wyoming Sheriff’s Association County Sheriff Dues -2014 $587.00
Wyoming Urology PC Jail Inmate Medical $304.00
Wyoming.com County Sheriff Internet Svcs $970.51
Zertuche, Dana Dispatch Center Reimburse Expenses $66.36
Total Bills Presented $123,163.64
Stephanie Kessler moved, Larry Allen seconded, to accept a voucher from EBMS for health insurance claims through May 19, 2014 in the amount of $104,054.32. Motion carried unanimously.
The following items in the Signature File were addressed: 1) Record of Proceedings. Larry Allen moved, Travis Becker seconded, to approve Resolution No. 2014-02 “Authorizing Submission of a Court Security Capital Construction Account Grant Application to the State Loan and Investment Board on Behalf of the Governing Body of Fremont County for the Purpose of Construction of a New County Building in Riverton for Courts, Attorney and Sheriff Offices. Motion carried unanimously. Travis Becker moved, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the 2014 distribution of $17,673 in Petersdorf Hospital Trust income s follows: $8,836.50 (50%) to the REACH Foundation for further distribution to the Riverton Senior Citizens, Inc., Sepiternal Society, Inc., Fremont County Hospice and other such institutions or organizations providing medical services or benefits and comforts for older people not otherwise available in the Riverton area as determined by the REACH Foundation; $6,362.28 (36%) to the Lander Senior Citizens; $1,060.38 (6%) to the Dubois Senior Citizens Center; and $1,413.84 (8%) to the Shoshoni Senior Center. Motion carried unanimously. Larry Allen moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to approve a Conflict of Interest Policy for the Petersdorf Hospital Trust. Motion carried unanimously.
Nobody was present for the public comment period.
Discussion was held regarding an Incentive Policy for inclusion in the Fremont County “How To” Manual. Deputy County Attorney Jodi Darrough researched appropriate laws and statutes and wording was developed as follows: No county employee or official may accept incentive gifts other than those with nominal value, such as pens, pencils, calendars, etc. Under no circumstance shall an employee or county official accept an incentive item with a value over $250.00, excluding food and drink. For further guidance, consult W.S. § 19-13-102(a)(vi) and W.S. § 9-13-103.
Larry Allen moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to adjourn into Executive Session with Lander Crew Chief Jim Hedges regarding personnel. Motion carried unanimously. Travis Becker moved, Larry Allen seconded, to return to Regular Session. Motion carried unanimously. Larry Allen moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to accept the recommendation from the Transportation Department to hire the successful candidate for a Riverton Truck Driver/Operator position at an annual salary of $38,600. Motion carried unanimously. The Board asked Hedges to make it clear to the other two applicants that were interviewed that their applications would be kept active in the event another opening occurs within six months.
Washakie District Ranger Steve Schacht provided a quarterly update. The Louis Lake Road is scheduled to open May 23rd on this side and the south side will not open until June, based on road conditions. Traffic issues regarding driving around closed gates is a concern, with the reason being most likely for horn collecting. Schacht felt that meetings with user groups may be beneficial and he stated law enforcement is a separate arm of the Forest Service and he did not know the status of an agent for this area. The Forest Service Transportation Plan is not finalized; however, he felt some interim measures could be taken. Trail reconstruction is taking place on both the Washakie and Wind River Ranger District. The State Trails Program will provide funding for more seasonal employees. Finishing a bike trail around the switchbacks. Several small timber sales will be taking place and expecting more activity on timber with the Mountain Pine Beetle. Business as usual on the Range side. Work on Dickinson Park continues this July and August. RAC projects will provide new toilets at Frye Lake. Grading is taking place on the south side of Louis Lake Road. They are waiting for a certified blaster to help with the Worthen Lake Road. Grade contracts are in place. Special Use Permits include several events: Cowboy Tuff, Cycle Greater Yellowstone, Tour d’Wyoming and annual Antelope One Shot Hunt. The Forest Plan revision is on track. There is 130% snowpack and flooding potential is moderate. Fire danger is below normal through July. Food storage infrastructure improvements are taking place and campground assessment for grizzly bear activity is taking place. Wind River District Ranger Rick Metzger had sent a written report that outlined timber sales and several campground closures as a result of this activity. Brooks Lake Road will be re-graveled and Big Warm Springs culvert replacement will take place and cause road closure. An erosion control project will take place on Burrows Loop Road with funding by the Wyoming State Trails grant; however, the Showshoe ATV Trail project is expected to be delayed. Other closures will include upper West Fork and Fish Lake Road, due to road improvements. The BLM approved a decision on the Scotts Wells and the Hudson Company has been given the green light to proceed. Commissioner Becker expressed concerns with timber sales in the Brooks Lake/Pinnacle Buttes areas that will cause closures and requested the Forest Service keep the closure window as short as possible to lessen the impact. The Board thanked Schacht for the information, who stated he and Metzger would return in late summer for another update.
County Clerk Julie Freese presented Financial Assistant Mike Stalder with a recognition plaque for 30 years of service to Fremont County Government. Co-workers were present in the audience and Chairman Thompson thanked Mike for his service as well as the other activities he assisted with, outside of his normal job duties. Julie informed the Board that Mike had submitted his resignation due to his retirement effective July 31, 2014.
Commissioner Whiteman was available for the following session via speakerphone. A budget hearing was held at 10:30 a.m., as advertised, regarding budget amendments to the FY 2013-14 adopted budget. Also present were County Clerk Julie Freese and Financial Assistant Mike Stalder. Freese stated the hearing is to transfer funding for the Fremont County Justice Center from loan proceeds from the Capital Revolving Fund of $1,975,705, that in addition to a pending SLIB grant application of $2,500,000, will fund the project. Freese stated the project will not use proceeds from the General Fund but from funding that currently exists within the Capital Revolving Fund. Commissioner Becker stated the repayment plan will be $250,000 over 10 years at 3%. Larry Allen moved, Travis Becker seconded, to approve Resolution 2014-14 (FY 2013-14 Budget Amendment No. 7). Voting against the motion: Keja Whiteman. Motion carried. (A complete copy of the Resolution is on file in the Commissioners Office). Vice-Chairman Whiteman again stated she is not opposed to the project, just the funding uncertainty. Chairman Thompson stated the current facility has been a safety and security concern for the last 12 years. He also felt the financial condition of the County is on an upward trend and felt funding for the project was appropriate at this time. Commissioner Becker thanked Julie, Mike and Treasurer Harnsberger for helping with the funding possibilities through the process and also stated he had been given the task to work towards a new justice center when he first was elected to the Board.
Commissioner meeting reports were given:
Commissioner Allen attended the recent 100th celebration of the Town of Dubois and the associated events (Open House and Historic Photo Exhibition) on May 14th.
Commissioner Becker updated the Board on the Countywide Consensus Block Grant funding meeting held the previous day with the municipalities, County representatives and special districts. Later in the meeting, Larry Allen moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to approve the Joint Resolution for Countywide Consensus Block Grant funds. Motion carried unanimously. (A copy of the complete Resolution is available in the Commissioners Office). Becker has also been communicating with Bob Davis of Davis Funeral Home regarding the Board’s request for additional information on indigent and unclaimed burial reimbursement requests.
Commissioner Kessler stated the next Air Service Task Force meeting is scheduled for June 5th in Pavillion.
County Elected Officials were present to continue discussion regarding setting of Elected Officials salaries for the next term of office (four years), pursuant to W.S. § 18-3-107. Present were Julie Freese, Tara Berg, Kristi Green, Ed McAuslan and Skip Hornecker joined later in the session. Freese had prepared background information for the Board’s review regarding Elected Officials’ statutory duties; percentage of increases given to employees the past four years compared to percentage of increases for elected officials during the same nine year time frame, and what other countries are paying their elected officials. Freese also stated that all budget requests have been computed into a preliminary budget and based on those calculations, there is approximately $1.5 million available for salaries. She stated a decline in revenue is not expected over the next four years. There are outstanding Standard Occupational Classification requests, some with related salary adjustments, which will be discussed by the Board in June that may affect this amount. Chairman Thompson stated Vice-Chairman Whiteman had stated earlier in the morning via speaker phone that she would not support any salary increase for the next term, for any elected official position. Various scenarios were discussed followed by a motion by Travis Becker to approve a $5,000 increase over the next four years at $1,250/year for all Elected Officials, excluding the County Commissioner and County Coroner positions. Motion died for lack of a second. Stephanie Kessler moved, Larry Allen seconded, to approve salary increases over the next four years of $6,000 with yearly increases of $1,500, excluding the County Commissioners and County Coroner. Voting against the motion: Travis Becker. Motion carried. McAuslan recommended bringing the Coroner position salary more in line with the other elected officials, as the 2014 salary is $63,945 compared to the other elected officials (other than Attorney) at $75,000. Stephanie Kessler moved to set the Coroner salary the same as the other elected officials (other than Attorney) for 2015 at $76,500 with a $1,500/year increase over the remaining three years. Motion died for lack of a second. Travis Becker moved, Larry Allen seconded, to set the Coroner position 2015 salary at $70,000 with $1,500/year increase over the remaining three years. Voting against the motion: Doug Thompson. Motion carried. Travis Becker moved, Larry Allen seconded, to adjust the Commission salary from $33,763 to $34,000 for 2015 with no increases over the remaining three years. Voting against the motion: Doug Thompson. Motion carried. Later in the meeting, Stephanie Kessler moved, Larry Allen seconded, to approve Resolution 2014-15 setting for the agreed upon salaries for the next elected term of office. Motion carried unanimously. (A complete copy is on file in the Commissioners Office).
Larry Allen moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to adjourn into Executive Session with Vehicle Maintenance Supervisor Glen Steers regarding personnel. Motion carried unanimously. Larry Allen moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to return to Regular Session. Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Thompson was absent from the remainder of the meeting for personal reasons and Commissioner Becker was appointed acting Chairman.
The following budget hearings were held:
Vehicle Maintenance: Department Supervisor Glen Steers. Priorities of the Department is proper alignment of salaries, health insurance stabilization, training and employee leave policies. Steers stated that their adoption of the ET/SIS electronic diagnostic system has saved the county at least $30,000 since implementation. Staff will attend training this year on this system. The money for tires last year was appreciated and they are still working on replacing more before the end of the fiscal year. Glen also mentioned his concern regarding salary compression issues within his office. The board encouraged him to get those to the Clerk for later review by the board.
Youth Services: Department Supervisor Chuck Kratz. The General Fund request is $248,212 and he also receives approximately $100,000 in grant or other funding. Kratz expressed his disappointment that the Youth Services department in Riverton will not move to the Fremont County Justice Center in Riverton. He asked that consideration be noted for their move to other facilities should something change. Chuck also asked for raises for the juvenile probation staff.
JDAI: Department Supervisor Melinda Cox. Cox outlined how the first year has been very successful. They collaborate with all agencies in the county to help make this program work. Training has been completed for a number of community collaborators on the alternatives to jail for juveniles. This program has helped them detain the correct children in the correct venues. Law enforcement officers have been very helpful in asking for assistance with these cases. The time has been shortened to 2 weeks to process juveniles and their goal is 10 days. Cox stated that the Day Reporting Center is a direct result of closing the juvenile portion of the detention center. Forty-one students have utilized this program and that number is significant for the county. They are returning a large portion of the students back to the classroom however.
County Clerk: County Clerk Julie Freese and Deputy Margy Irvine. The Clerk’s request has increased, but is based on the following changes: Employee changes (moved the an employee from the election department, included the payoff for the Financial Assistant who will retire in July, salary and benefit costs for the Financial Assistant replacement. Freese also noted that although she’s requested and used $10,000 a year for three years to digitize the microfilm cards, she would like to increase that to $30,000 so the project can be completed in 4 years rather than 14 years. The microfilm reader printer is very old and there is no replacement to be found. This equipment is the only way to view the microfilm records at this time. The other increase is in service agreements for the new electronic time card system. Her priority list is extensive and would serve as a guide to assist the commissioners if they need to cut money from this budget. The revenue estimated based on the increased fee schedule may be a little lower than anticipated.
Elections: This budget is increase due to being an election year. The one employee listed in this budget is being moved to the Clerk’s office to properly reflect where she works. Many new items will be implemented this year such as using the Balotar which allows the staff to print the appropriate number of ballots for testing and absentee balloting thereby saving county money on ballot costs. The new DS200 voting machines will serve as “early voting” devices this year in Lander and Riverton. Instead of all absentee voters using envelopes to cast their early ballots, they may run them through the machine.
Sheriff Administration/Patrol: Sheriff Skip Hornecker, Undersheriff Ryan Lee, Administrative Assistant Karla Davis, Detention Sergeant Kathy Mosbrucker and Communications Supervisor Carl Freeman. The Sheriff’s Administration budget increases are due to the Worker’s Compensation rate increase as well as the Wyoming Retirement increase. The rental payments are going up $18,534 due to approved items in this department. WLEA training costs have increased. With the new health insurance rates, there was a drop in health insurance of $51,652.
Detention: Cost increases in this budget are in Overtime, Holiday pay, Health insurance adjustments, unemployment, Worker’s compensation and Wyoming Retirement. There is an increase in the contractual line item for the Medical Services Director contract and also an increase for potential psychological testing. Medical costs are increased significantly based on actual costs. Inmate supplies is also significantly increased due to the replacement of mattresses and blankets. They have been replacing these as they need to, but the life of these items since first bought is coming to an end and they need to replace a larger number now. Other increases are training and machinery and equipment in excess of $1000 which will be 3 new radios. The Sheriff has not included an increase for employees as requested by the commissioners, however the sheriff has requested a 5% increase by the board. They are also not requesting more employees, but reminded the commissioners that an increase to what the staff use to be will be needed in the near future.
Dispatch: They have transferred some of this budget to the E-911 budget (operations). The Sheriff and Carl Freeman have worked with the Clerk and Treasurer’s Office on better ways to work through these two budgets. The revenue changes from $118,000 from outside sources is changing to an estimate of $323,791 which is all agencies that use the Dispatch Center to receive their calls. Those entities have to work through their budgets and this amount may change. These requests for funding are being asked to phase in over the next 5 years. If this is successful, the dispatch fund should be self-supporting in 5 years.
E-911: This operations budget from the Dispatch Fund have been moved into this budget. This change will help them more closely track or help eliminate duplication or pro-ration of capital assets as has been done in the past. In order to make this proposal work, they suggest that the E911 surcharge be increased from $.50 to $.75. The sheriff stated that he would like 5% increase in wages and to increase his staff. His priority, however if he had to choose, he would increase staff. Carl presented stats on the dispatch center. The sheriff noted that Fremont County has the busiest dispatch center in the state on one channel.
Search and Rescue: The increase of $1087 in this budget is the addition of a rental payment for a used pickup truck. They have found that all three S&R divisions need machinery and equipment upgrades and have budgeted them this year.
County Clerk Julie Freese stated she had continued work on the budget and stated the correct figure is $1.1 million compared to the $1.5 million she mentioned would be available for salary increases. The Board asked her to see what figures would be for a 2% -5% salary increase for employees.
The amended “Emergency Event Procedures when County Equipment and Personnel are Deployed” was reviewed. Stephanie Kessler moved, Larry Allen seconded, to approve the revised document. Motion carried unanimously.
There being no further business, Larry Allen moved, Stephanie Kessler seconded, to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m. and reconvene for a Regular Meeting on June 3, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.
/s/ DOUGLAS L. THOMPSON, CHAIRMAN
TRAVIS BECKER, ACTING-CHAIRMAN
FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST:
/s/ JULIE A. FREESE, COUNTY CLERK AND CLERK OF THE BOARD