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Custer County commissioners approve multiple countywide policies, buy road roller and rule on two special-use permits
Summary
At its March 13 meeting the Custer County Board of County Commissioners approved six policy resolutions tied to federal grant compliance, authorized a used road roller purchase, approved one special-use permit with conditions and denied another, and approved accounts payable.
Custer County commissioners on Thursday approved a package of countywide policy changes aimed at tightening grant and data controls, authorized the purchase of a used road roller, and issued decisions on two special‑use permit requests.
The board adopted six resolutions that update how the county handles whistleblower protections, personally identifiable information, grant oversight, federally funded procurement, management of federally purchased equipment, and Davis‑Bacon Act compliance for federally funded construction. Commissioners also moved to buy a used double‑drum road roller and voted separately on two special‑use permit applications: one for a feed/retail operation in a rural residential/agricultural zone (denied) and one for a wedding venue on Haven Road (approved with conditions). Accounts payable covering routine county bills was approved as presented.
Why it matters: the policy changes are intended to align county procedures with federal grant requirements and reduce the risk of losing reimbursement or future grant funding. The roller purchase is intended to reduce road‑maintenance downtime. The special‑use permit votes follow planning‑commission recommendations and reflect the county’s long‑standing land‑use map and conditions meant to limit impacts on neighbors and roads.
Votes at a glance
- Accounts payable: Approved as moved. Vote: Commissioner Lucas — aye; Commissioner Paul — aye; Commissioner Candice — aye.
- YETI (Yapzi/Yoder) special‑use permit (County Road 1155) — Outcome: Denied (motion to follow planning commission recommendation). Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye. Planning commission had voted unanimously not to recommend approval, citing precedent and consistency with the county master plan and road impacts.
- Grama special‑use permit (wedding venue, Haven Road) — Outcome: Approved with conditions (maximum 100 guests; guests contained on property; privacy fencing; certified septic; cistern for event water; agreement with neighbors on road maintenance; permit reviewed on complaint basis). Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye.
- Purchase of used road roller (2021 double‑drum unit from 4 Rivers): Approved for purchase from capital improvement reserve. Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye.
- Policy resolutions adopted (each recorded as approved): • Resolution 25‑10 — Amend employee handbook: add whistleblower protections. Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye. • Resolution 25‑11 — Personnel‑identifying information / IT policy (handling PII). Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye. • Resolution 25‑12 — Grant oversight policy for Department of Emergency Management (OEM). Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye. • Resolution 25‑13 — Amend purchasing policy: federal‑grant procurement rules. Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye. • Resolution 25‑14 — Equipment management policy: handling federally purchased equipment. Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye. • Resolution 25‑15 — Amend purchasing policy for Davis‑Bacon Act compliance (federally funded construction). Vote: Lucas — aye; Paul — aye; Candice — aye.
What commissioners said and next steps
Commissioners and staff said the policy package responds to audit findings and to conditions tied to federal grants; several speakers noted the county must adopt documented policies to remain eligible for certain state and federal funds. The board directed county staff to incorporate the new policy language into the employee handbook, IT and purchasing rules, and equipment management procedures and to publish the revised policies where county policies are kept.
The Grama wedding venue SUP was approved on the planning commission’s recommended conditions; the board noted the permit will be reviewed if complaints are filed. The Yeti feed/retail SUP was denied to preserve the county’s master‑plan zoning in agricultural/residential areas.
The board instructed staff to prepare a resolution to consider a short‑term rental moratorium and scheduled work on that item for a future meeting (item referred for drafting and return to the March 27 agenda).
Ending note
Commissioners said the combined package reflects the county’s effort to protect access to federal and state grants, to maintain county infrastructure, and to enforce zoning standards that they and the planning commission say were designed to protect agricultural and residential character of valley floors.
