Weston County commissioners spent significant time on May 6 discussing Amendment 1 to a grant agreement between the Wyoming Department of Health (public-health division) and Weston County, focusing on a clause that appears to require a 10% local match. Commissioners did not approve the amendment at the meeting and asked staff to obtain clarifying information from the state before taking formal action.

Angie (last name not specified), a Weston County public-health representative who called into the meeting, said the federal amendment is tied to the county's annual public-health preparedness work. "The amendment came down from the CDC and the federal government. That's that $91,000 contract that we do every year for our PHRC position," Angie said, adding that the contract also covers travel, supplies and FEMA training. She said the contract is part of a set of linked agreements that also include a CHO position funded at about $10,000.

Commissioners repeatedly asked whether the 10% match described in the amendment is new, whether it must be paid in cash versus eligible in-kind match, and when the county's obligation would begin. The amendment text in the packet notes: "the subrecipient must match 10% of total federal funding awarded to the subrecipient," and specifies the match may be cash or in-kind but excludes federal funds as match. Commissioners said they wanted clearer documentation of how the match has been handled in prior years and whether the amendment changes terms midstream; the amendment is dated to commence Jan. 1, 2025.

"I don't feel comfortable," one commissioner said during the discussion, asking whether approving the amendment without clarity could put a county employee's position at risk. Another commissioner asked that the public-health director (who had earlier been handling grant administration) attend the next meeting or be reachable by phone to explain whether the county had historically provided match and how it had been reported.

Separately, Angie described a flooding incident at the public-health office earlier in April. The board heard that a pressure vessel in the building's fire-suppression system ruptured and discharged water, causing inches of standing water on the floor and shutting the building for several days. The county estimated cleanup by a contractor at a little over $2,000; staff said the rapid response limited drywall and structural damage, and that the tank appears to have split along the side. Brandon (last name not specified), a county facilities staff member, was asked to check whether the failed component is under warranty and to confirm the original installer.

Commissioners asked for photos and a short damage assessment; one commissioner said the county should determine whether a warranty or installer responsibility applies before charging the county. Angie said the public-health office resumed full operations by the previous Thursday. The board did not vote on any emergency repair contract during the meeting.

The board asked county staff to seek written clarification from the state grant manager and to invite that contact to the next meeting if necessary; the state's grant contact had emailed commissioners earlier asking for a prompt return of signed amendment documents but the board indicated it would not sign without additional explanation.

Clarifying details recorded in the meeting packet and discussion included the $91,000 contract amount for the PHRC position, a separate $10,000 allocation for the CHO position, and the amendment effective date of Jan. 1, 2025. Commissioners asked whether the 10% match is a new requirement and whether it has been paid in prior years; staff indicated they would follow up to determine historical practice and whether match can be in-kind.

The discussion ended with a direction to county staff to pursue clarification from the state and to ensure the public-health director or state representative is available to address commissioners' questions at the next meeting.