Lincoln County commissioners approve multiple MOUs, resolutions and land-use actions; discuss trench cut and sewer needs

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners on June 21, 2022, approved a slate of memoranda of understanding, resolutions and land‑use actions and heard updates on county finances, grants and emergency management.

Chairman Robert E. King called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. Commissioners Jerry Hansen and Commissioner Harmon were present along with County Clerk April Brunski and county staff. The board approved the consent agenda, which included appointments to the Library Board and Recreation Commission, a resolution to create an EAUTH account to pursue USDA grant and loan funds, and multiple memoranda of understanding with state agencies and the University of Wyoming.

The board approved contracts and MOUs that included: a contract with the Wyoming Department of Health, Public Health Division, for an amount not to exceed $100,000 for a performance period through June 30, 2027; an MOU for emergency response capability not to exceed $70,000; and an additional MOU for a performance period through June 30, 2024, not to exceed $33,000. The board also adopted the Lincoln County Mitigation Plan by resolution and signed a one‑year equipment site lease with Silver Star Telephone Company for the Black Mountain electronic site in the amount of $6,230.69. The board approved File 702 PZ 22 (K Triangle Subdivision — Phase III) with Findings A–E and authorized a corrected resolution to fix a scrivener’s error in Resolution 2022‑26.

County Treasurer Jerry Greenfield told commissioners that projected revenue is running about $1.6 million over estimates while expenses are about $1.3 million under. He also reviewed the county’s investment portfolio, the status of ARPA funds (about $1.8 million committed and roughly $1.9 million received), and noted upcoming WYDOT trainings in July.

County Engineer Amy Butler presented the approved subdivision (Erickson Ranch/K Triangle Phase III) and raised concerns about a separate request from the Town of Thayne to make an open trench cut on Dana Street so property owners could connect to town water and sewer. Devin Simpson, the mayor of Thayne, said the town opposes septic systems and supports annexation of the relevant portion of County Road 122 so the properties can connect to municipal utilities. Butler said she had not received construction plans or specifications for an open cut and expressed concern about authorizing a roadway excavation without those details; commissioners characterized the permit as an exception tied to the town’s planned annexation and approved allowing the trench cut and moving forward with the road transfer to the town.

Amy Butler also reported on Grey’s River Road work and said the county will not sign a contract until Forest Service funding availability is confirmed. Madison Wilkes, Public Health Nurse Manager, presented three MOUs for public‑health grant funding, gave an agency update and answered questions about mileage reimbursements. Emergency Management Coordinator Jay Hokanson reported a finished Regional Mitigation Plan, described staffing plans, said State Forestry will cover wages for fuels mitigation work, and warned of a high wildfire season.

The board recessed at 2:33 p.m. and resumed at 3:17 p.m. Commissioners held two executive sessions for personnel matters during the afternoon (motions and times were recorded in the minutes). The meeting adjourned at 4:19 p.m.

Votes at a glance: multiple motions recorded on the consent agenda were moved by Commissioners Harmon and Hansen and were adopted; minutes record motions to enter and exit executive session at 3:18 p.m. (resumed 3:48 p.m.) and again at 3:51 p.m. (resumed 4:18 p.m.).