Sweetwater County commissioners approve budget amendments, appointments and agreements in unanimous votes; one reallocation sees an abstention

The Sweetwater County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 21 approved a set of routine but consequential items, including four capital budget amendments, multiple board appointments, an intergovernmental memorandum of understanding with the Bureau of Land Management on the Jackalope Wind Energy Project environmental review, and acceptance of the county's 2024 audit.

The items were taken under consent or brief presentation and advanced by motion. Most votes were unanimous; one vote to reallocate forfeited capital funds recorded one abstention.

The board approved four separate fiscal-year-2025 capital project budget amendments to draw from general county reserves: $15,335 to purchase a skid-steer-mounted broom for Road & Bridge; $13,500 for a new carpet cleaner for Facilities custodial; $37,500 for fencing at Crossroads Park (Parks & Recreation); and $35,000 for exterior handrails at the county museum. Accounting specialist Rebecca Romero presented the requests and said the capital committee compiled projects that could be completed before fiscal year end.

The board also approved the consent agenda, which included the Jan. 7, 2025 meeting minutes, vouchers and warrants, monthly reports, bonds, abates and rebates, and a request to re-staff a vacant position in the county treasurer's office.

Appointments and ratifications included: the reappointment of Mark Cowan to the local economic-development board; appointment of Marjane Choo to the Southwest Counseling board to fill an unexpired term through Jan. 1, 2027; and ratification of three Jamestown Rio…