Laramie County commissioners approve pay increases for elected officials, adopt 400‑sq‑ft permit exemption and OK coroner equipment

The Laramie County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 adopted a resolution setting salaries for elected county officials for the 2027–2030 term and approved a package of routine and policy items, including a building-code amendment exempting accessory structures up to 400 square feet from building permits, a $68,870 equipment purchase for the coroner’s office paid from opioid-settlement funds, and an amended cooperative agreement with the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) to remove a closed bridge over Union Pacific tracks.

Todd Ernst, Laramie County assessor, spoke on behalf of elected officials and urged the board to approve the salary adjustment, saying, “This is the first adjustment since 2018” and warning that low compensation can limit the pool of qualified candidates. The board voted by roll call to adopt the resolution.

The salary measure follows a staff recommendation and public testimony from county elected officials; commissioners said the change is intended to make running for office more attractive and to help retain experienced officials. The resolution sets pay for the next elected term beginning in 2027; the meeting record did not specify individual salary amounts in the text of the public presentation.

County staff also presented a purchase agreement with Randox Laboratories US Ltd. for a multistat analyzer for the coroner’s office. Sandra Bay of Laramie County said the “amount of $68,870 includes the equipment, the initial supply kit, software, and on-site training for the staff,” and that the Laramie County Opioid Committee approved funding from opioid-settlement proceeds. Commissioners approved the purchase by voice/roll call.

On infrastructure, the board approved Amendment 1 to cooperative agreement 220906-31 with WYDOT to replace Exhibit B and increase the project total from $321,900 to $713,082 for removal of the closed bridge on East Pershing Boulevard over the Union Pacific Railroad. Commissioner Thompson said the bridge removal ‘‘has become a dangerous situation’’ and noted WYDOT is contributing the majority of the cost; staff said the county’s match portion is 9.51%, approximately $67,814, following the bid letting.

At a public hearing, Justin Arnold of Laramie County Planning and Development explained a proposed change to the 2024 International Residential Code, section 105.2, to raise the square-foot exemption for work exempt from permits from 200 to 400 square feet. Arnold said the change was intended to exempt commonly used conex/shipping containers and small accessory structures and that the Planning Commission recommended approval 4–0. Commissioners questioned whether a larger exemption (for example, 600 sq ft) would be appropriate and heard staff caution that larger exemptions can limit enforcement of setbacks and other rules. The board moved to amend IRC §105.2 to exempt one‑story detached accessory structures not exceeding 400 square feet (other than storm shelters) and approved the amendment by roll call.

The board also reappointed Chris Humphrey and Donnie Hajduk to four‑year terms on the Laramie County Adult Community Corrections Board, with terms expiring Dec. 31, 2029, and approved routine consent items. The chair closed the meeting after noting there was no further business.

Votes at a glance - Minutes of proceedings (Nov. 18, 2025): approved by roll call (Commissioners Heath, Hollingshead, Thompson, Zwonitzer and Chairman Moll recorded as voting Aye). - Consent agenda (items 2–8): approved by roll call (unanimous). - Warrants for November: approved by roll call (total read aloud in the record appears inconsistent/transcribed unclearly; see clarifying details). - Resolution setting county official salaries (2027–2030): approved by roll call (unanimous). - Randox Laboratories purchase for coroner ($68,870, opioid-settlement funding): approved (unanimous). - Amendment to WYDOT cooperative agreement for bridge removal (increase to $713,082; county match ≈ $67,814): approved (unanimous). - Appointments to Adult Community Corrections Board (Chris Humphrey, Donnie Hajduk): approved (unanimous). - Amendment to 2024 IRC §105.2 to exempt accessory structures ≤400 sq ft: approved (unanimous).

What’s next Commissioners did not set additional public hearings at the Dec. 2 meeting. Items that received direction for further staff follow-up included evaluating whether the permit-exemption threshold should be revisited (staff said they are open to further discussion). The board adjourned with no further business on the agenda.