Cheyenne County commissioners on an un‑dated meeting recorded in the transcript heard a request from the county’s law‑enforcement representative to raise pay for experienced deputies and approved two equipment purchases to reduce operational risk.

Speaker 6, speaking about staffing shortages after attending a sheriff’s association conference, told commissioners deputies are paid “less than $17 an hour” in many cases and urged raising experienced deputies’ minimum pay to about $20 an hour to avoid losing staff to neighboring counties that offer higher rates. “At some point in time … we’re gonna have a mass exodus if we don’t try to catch those wages up,” Speaker 6 said, arguing the money is available in the budget and asking the board to expect a formal proposal.

On equipment, Speaker 6 proposed buying a set of portable cattle corrals to improve safety and reduce county liability when livestock trailers wreck on rural roads. The vendor quote cited in the discussion was about $11,000 for the set; Speaker 6 proposed funding roughly half from asset‑forfeiture funds and half from his departmental budget. After questions about storage, security, terrain limitations, rental availability and billing insurers for use, Speaker 2 moved to purchase the corrals with $5,500 from asset forfeiture and $5,500 from the county budget; Speaker 3 seconded, and the motion passed.

Separately, commissioners discussed a surplus 2006 Ford F‑650 water truck listed on the Purple Wave auction (item number DQ318). After reviewing mileage and seller details, Speaker 3 moved that county representatives inspect the vehicle and that the commission may bid up to $22,000 (including the buyer’s premium) if the inspection shows no major defects; the motion passed on a voice vote. The board asked that a diesel mechanic or qualified reviewer inspect the truck before any purchase.

The meeting included other routine agenda items — minutes approval and a tax‑sale resolution — and commissioners said they will further consider wage scales and meet with department heads and the county budget authority to refine a pay proposal. The meeting concluded with a brief motion to enter a five‑minute executive session on non‑elected personnel.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2410 (start tax‑sale/title process): moved by Speaker 3, seconded by Speaker 2; approved by voice vote.
- Purchase of portable cattle corrals (~$11,000; $5,500 asset‑forfeiture / $5,500 budget): motion moved by Speaker 2, seconded by Speaker 3; approved by voice vote.
- Inspection and conditional bid on surplus water truck (inspection required; bid up to $22,000 including buyer’s premium): moved by Speaker 3; approved by voice vote.
- Motion to enter a five‑minute executive session for non‑elected personnel: moved by Speaker 3, seconded by Speaker 2; approved by voice vote.

What’s next
The sheriff (Speaker 6) said he will submit detailed wage figures for commissioners and the budget authority to review. The county will arrange inspection of the surplus water truck before any purchase and will take delivery and storage decisions for the corrals after purchase.