Board at a glance: Park County approves floodplain permit, plat and tower; raises liability deductible to $7,500

Park County commissioners approved several routine and contested items at their April public meeting. The board recorded these formal outcomes during the session; details and staff conditions follow.

Votes at a glance

- Floodplain development permit (FP1-25) — Approved with modified seasonal restriction. The board approved a floodplain development permit for Dirt Road Dollars LLC / 6 C Ranch to stabilize about 140 linear feet of riverbank on the north bank of the Grama River and to bed an exposed section of the Ruby Ditch pipeline. Staff noted plans to place approximately 310 cubic yards of rock and 60 cubic yards of pit run, sourced from Montana Limestone Quarry, and recommended permits and conditions. Wyoming Game and Fish had recommended avoiding human activity in crucial mule deer winter range between Nov.15 and Apr.30; the board amended condition #5 to shorten that avoidance window so the restriction ends April 15 rather than April 30. The board approved the permit and recorded Resolution 2025-26. Conditions include a one‑year permit expiration if work is not substantially begun, notifications for post‑construction photos, site visits by county personnel, and compliance with state and federal law.

- Martin simple subdivision (Martin SS-317) final plat — Approved. The board approved a simple subdivision plat to create a 5.04-acre lot from an existing ~302‑acre parcel near Carter View Drive outside Cody, with an approximate 2.97‑acre remainder. The planning staff reported compliance with final plat specifications, agency notices and the Park County development regulations; conditions require a notarized disclosure statement addressing shared driveway maintenance, an affidavit of subdivider compliance with fencing requirements, recording the final plat with the county clerk and otherwise meeting county standards and Wyoming Statute 18-5-306.

- LGLP deductible selection (Local Government Liability Pool) — County deductible increased to $7,500; library remains at $5,000. Park County Deputy Clerk Hans Ode presented options showing annual contribution reductions associated with higher deductibles. The county previously carried a $5,000 deductible. Staff provided historical deductible payouts (approximately $10,000 over four claims in the last three years). The board voted to set the county deductible at $7,500 for the coming policy year and keep the Park County Library’s deductible at $5,000. Staff estimated the 7,500 selection would reduce the county’s LGLP contribution by roughly the order of several thousand dollars annually (Hans Ode reported a savings estimate of about $6,000 versus the $5,000 deductible option).

- Verizon Wireless Southport tower building permit and related lease adjustment — Approved. The board approved the building permit and related location/lease amendment for a Verizon Wireless tower (Southport). The approval includes a rent abatement credit for the period when construction was delayed by covenants on the initially intended county lot; staff said the approved site moved a short distance (roughly 100–200 feet) to an adjacent county gravel pit parcel and the lease documents reflect the rent adjustment for the period of delay.

- Cody Shooting Complex SUP application — County agreed to sign as landowner so the Cody Shooting Complex may proceed with submission. The board authorized county signature on the SUP amendment/application to add an archery range and an additional sporting‑clays loop on county‑owned lands leased to the Cody Shooting Complex. Staff and the shooting complex provided updated site maps showing safety buffers (276 yards for shot fallout) and the board authorized the county to sign the permit application as landowner to allow the process to move forward.

Procedure and timing notes The floodplain permit and the Martin final plat were processed with required agency notifications and staff recommendations. The floodplain permit includes a staff‑recommended one‑year expiration if the permitted activity is not substantially begun; the planning director may extend the deadline for cause. The Army Corps of Engineers had confirmed receipt of notice but had not required additional county action at the time of the hearing. Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments noted nearby state trust land but said no activities on state land were proposed.

Ending The board adopted all of the above motions as recorded in the meeting minutes. Several items contained conditions or reporting requirements; staff will monitor compliance and handle any required filings or inspections.