Weston County attorney requests authorization for Natrona County DA to serve as special deputy in conflict cases; commissioners raise concerns
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Summary
County Attorney Michael told the board he has a conflict on a pending investigation and requested a standing resolution authorizing the Natrona County District Attorney's Office to act as special deputy prosecutors for Weston County when conflicts arise; several commissioners expressed concern about Natrona's capacity and asked to defer for more information. No final vote was recorded.
The board considered a resolution authorizing the Natrona County District Attorney's Office to act as special deputy attorneys for Weston County when the Weston County Attorney's Office has declared a conflict.
County Attorney Michael explained he had deemed a pending investigation to present a conflict for his office and said he had reached out to other counties to find counsel; Natrona County responded and offered to assist. Michael cited a statutory authorization and referenced Wyoming statute numbers as the legal basis in the draft resolution. "We can't disseminate investigations while pending," Michael said, adding that his office has a "statutory obligation ... to proceed under 18 3 3 0 2 a," and that the draft is a "stock resolution" the county has used in past conflict situations to streamline appointments.
Several commissioners pushed back and said they were uncomfortable assigning prosecutorial duties to another county without more detail. One commissioner said he had heard the Natrona County office describe capacity constraints in public testimony and worried about shifting heavy workload and potential costs or delays: "I've watched judiciary meetings... he doesn't have enough money to do what he's doing, and not enough workforce... I'm worried about what we're walking into with this." Another commissioner asked whether the resolution was meant to be case-specific or a blanket ongoing delegation; Michael confirmed the draft was written as a standing authorization to avoid repeated administrative appointments.
Because some commissioners wanted the board to attempt to find other counties or to have a fuller explanation, multiple members suggested deferring the resolution to the next agenda so they could solicit other potential counsel and obtain more information. There was no recorded final vote on the resolution in the transcript.
Next steps: commissioners asked staff and Michael to seek alternative counties and to provide more specifics; the item was recommended for placement on the next meeting agenda for additional information and possible action.
