Commissioners hear report on retaining wall

WORLAND – For the first time in over a month, the county commissioners held a public meeting in the Washakie County Courthouse, to receive updates from departments as well as view a presentation regarding a study done on the bike path on Airport Road.

The commissioners met with County Planner David Anderson and viewed a presentation from Inberg-Miller Engineers (IME) regarding a study that was done on the bike path after the bid was awarded to IME back in October of last year. The study revealed a large crack along with loose soil causing the path to sink.

The commissioners asked IME to come back with specifics regarding a bid to inject grout underneath the retaining walls to stabilize it in place, and to then repair the bike path once it is stabilized for a period of time. These two bids would likely be considered as part of next year’s fiscal budget which is set to start on July 1. The commissioners will begin working on the budget this month with final approval in July.

County Assessor Kathy Treanor came to the commissioners to discuss the possibility of upgrading the postage meter that is used by the courthouse as the current one has led to over-postage on packages at times, and a savings of up to $1,000 a year on postage would be possible with a new machine.

However, the commissioners decided to maintain the old machine, as the saved postage would not be more than the savings of keeping the old machine and upgrading to a new one. The commissioners decided it was best to keep the old machine and have more training for staff on how to use it in order to save more money over the next five years.

Tom Schmeltzer of building maintenance informed the commissioners that the jail needed a new mixer to control the hot water to the showers in the jail and maintain the temperature. Schmeltzer also asked the commissioners to consider looking at purchasing a new side-by-side vehicle for the fairgrounds, and a machine such as a four-wheeler to help with snow removal at the courthouse in the new budget.

Keith Bower of road and bridge informed the commissioners that the potholes on Road 47 were being finished and will be chip sealed after May 18. He was asked to look at a culvert out on County Road 580.