Commissioners talk state legislation at first 2018 meeting

WORLAND – Washakie County Commissioners heard from Representative Mike Greear (Dist. 27) on Tuesday, to discuss the upcoming legislative session in February, and some legislation which may impact county-level development.

“I was hoping it might be an easy budget session but we’ve got up to 400 bills [proposed] this session,” said Greear.

Greear talked with the commission about the possibility of Wyoming creating a state energy authority to consolidate some agencies, and also discussed the distribution of funds due to major budget cutbacks.

“We’re at the point now where it’s difficult for a lot of communities to get improvement projects done,” said Greear.

Greear stressed that education funding was a major priority, and that although coal may have come back to some percent in the state, it won’t be able to fully fund education in the state for some time, if ever again.

Washakie County Commission members will travel to Cheyenne Feb. 13-16 for the state county commissioner’s legislative conference.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting of the commission, Tom Schmeltzer with county maintenance reported that the new offices for the Washakie Development Association are finished, minus some minor paint. Also, the Ten Sleep Library addition is fully enclosed, which will allow for more inside work to be completed.

Schmeltzer also requested that the county consider taking rental fees for the fairgrounds up front, rather than the past process of holding the fees until after the event, due to drop-out rates.

Schmeltzer also reported that the Lighthouse facility is totally completed and open for business, with the completion of cleaning over Christmas.

The five-bed Lighthouse center run by Cloud Peak Counseling housed almost 70 patients in 2016, from Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, Fremont and Washakie counties. The latest expansion brings the facility to a 7-room center, with a social detox area, at a projected cost of $97,000.

Stuart Bower, with the county Road and Bridge department, reported that a variety of signs to install, warning drivers of road conditions and hazards in the area south of Ten Sleep, have been ordered.

Previously, the commission heard concerns over travelers following GPS routes down Dry Farm Road and toward Big Trails, increasing the chance of becoming lost or stuck in inclement weather and snow.

Bower also reported the sanding of roads continues, and discussed possible plans with the commission to work on Rome Hill Road this spring or summer, to cut down on dust conditions along that roadway.