Albany County commissioners approve multiple grants, IT upgrade and magistrate nomination

LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Albany County Board of County Commissioners on May 19 approved a slate of grant applications and county contracts, ratified the appointment of an outside prosecutor in a juvenile case and confirmed a judicial nominee, finishing its regular meeting at 11:05 a.m.

The commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wyoming Department of Health for Maternal and Child Health services totaling $287,914 for fiscal years 2027–2028; a Wyoming Department of Agriculture Emergency Insect Management allocation of $87,000; and a grant application to the Wyoming Energy Authority for $50,000 to replace lighting at the Albany County Fairgrounds. The board also approved a $447,638 grant application to the Wyoming Department of Health to support data-driven substance-abuse and suicide-prevention efforts for July 1, 2026–June 30, 2028.

In a larger application, the board approved pursuing $1,257,011 in U.S. Department of Transportation Safe Streets and Roads for All funding to support additional demonstration activities and the creation of a Safety Action Plan in partnership with the City of Laramie. The board recorded approval of a Wyoming Office of Homeland Security grant agreement for $54,919 for emergency-management preparedness and approved an interagency memorandum of understanding with University of Wyoming Dining Services to provide firefighter meals.

The commissioners ratified Resolution 2026-012 appointing the Carbon County Attorney's Office, by and through Carbon County Attorney Sarah Harkins or her designees, as Special County & Prosecuting Attorney in a juvenile matter after the Albany County Prosecuting Attorney's Office reported a conflict of interest. The resolution cites Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 18-3-302 and § 18-3-520 as authorization for the appointment.

The board voted to award replacement of on-premises county storage infrastructure to Advanced Network Management for $224,104.29, to be paid from the 2018 SPET fund, and approved an amendment to the county's agreement with Pictometry International Corp. (Eagleview). It also awarded the 2026–2027 Albany County Commissioners Renewal Scholarship to Kathryn Eastman Curry.

Judicial business included approval of Judge Sanford's nomination of Becky Farley as a part-time magistrate for the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial District, Albany County, pursuant to W.S. 5-9-210. The commissioners approved a motion taken after an executive session to file a Verified Motion for Order to Show Cause in Case 2025-CV-35680.

During public comment, Karen Liene of the Daughters of the American Revolution provided an update on the World War I Monument restoration project, saying, "The project will start on May 26th," and that project lead Joey Carlson with Pacific Coast Consultation will oversee work; a rededication ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m.

The board also acknowledged receipt and distribution of Secure Rural Schools (US Forest Reserve) funds for fiscal 2025: $303,388.68 for Title I and directed the clerk to advertise Title III funds of $24,984.95 for proposed county projects. The board approved payroll and vouchers for May 2026; minutes list numerous vendors and report total general and special revenue expenditures at $1,123,404.91, ratified and special fund expenditures at $513,057.01, payroll at $664,192.96 and total expenditures of $2,300,654.88.

Commissioner Gosar recused himself from voting on the Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) discretionary mini-grants (Laramie Interfaith, $799; Downtown Clinic, $699); the motion carried with Commissioners Hoff and Jones voting aye. The board tabled a separate Title III funding request until its June 2 meeting.

The meeting opened at 9:30 a.m. and adjourned at 11:05 a.m.