Commissioners table lease amendment with Sheridan County Sportsmen’s Association after public concern over losing public access

The Sheridan County Board of Commissioners voted to table consideration of Amendment No. 1 to a lease agreement between the Sheridan County Sportsmen’s Association and Sheridan County until the association can present its proposal.

Several residents spoke during the public comment period urging the board not to lease the county-owned parcel to a private group in a way that would restrict public access. Troy Siddle said he had used the property for 32 years for horseback riding, hunting and other recreation and warned that leasing the land to a private organization could lead to locked gates and loss of public use. Mark Kaiser, a longtime volunteer in local shooting programs, said the parcel provides important access for young and new hunters and for non-shooting recreation such as dog walking.

“...if we turn that public property over to a private organization and put a big fence on it and a locked gate, I don't think that's the answer,” Troy Siddle said.

A commissioner moved to table the item until the next regularly scheduled meeting so the Sportsmen’s Association could present its proposal. The motion passed by voice vote. Commissioners noted the Parks and Recreation Board had previously seen the matter and that fuller information from the association would be useful before making a decision.

Sheila Jorgen of the Sheridan County Sportsmen's Association was not present; a commissioner suggested the association present at the next meeting. The tabled item will return to a future agenda with the association’s presentation.