TORRINGTON – The Goshen County Commissioners meeting had plenty of ground to cover on the cold, blustery Tuesday morning beginning with a late start due to the negative temperatures. 

With all three commissioners present, the meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. 

Commissioner and Chairman, Michael McNamee, began by addressing the conscientiousness efforts of city employees for their commitment to making sure the town was taken care of during the deep freeze the area has been experiencing recently. 

“I just want to thank all of the employees in all of the departments that have worked diligently to keep the county up and running through this cold snap,” he said. “I know all of the departments that had to face the challenges that came with cold weather did a great job, so thanks to everyone with their work with that. We hope the folks of Goshen County have fared alright through the cold snap and hopefully the worst of it is behind us.” 

Sheriff Kory Fleenor opened the meeting with departmental reports. He spoke on the profits and loss of the year and reported on financials regarding contract housing. Sheriff Fleenor was asked by McNamee if the sheriff’s office was faced with any “extraordinary challenges” with the weather being a factor, to which he replied “No, it’s just cold.” 

Goshen County Treasurer Leticia Dominguezread the annual report.

Stephanie Lofink, manager for the Goshen County Fairgrounds, spoke to the commission regarding the standing of accounts for the month of December. 

“All accounts are in good standing,” she said. “The AR summary looks extremely long for this month and it is because it’s marketing membership renewal time.” she told the board. 

Lofink also mentioned the renovation of a vacant building on the property. 

“It is going to be the fairgrounds business office, maintenance office, and will have a small meeting room.” Lofink shared. 

They hope to make the building hospitable for county employees, but especially for the road and bridge department and the sheriff’s office. The current shared office at the fairgrounds will become the Goshen County Fair Coordinator’s office with ample storage space, a large work area, an all-season space and a small meeting room. 

“If anybody comes to visit, they can pop in for coffee, cookies whatever, whenever and visit with us in there.” Lofink said. 

Melissa Johnson, a nurse from the Goshen County Public Health office gave a brief update on recent vaccines given in the area. In December 2023, there were 53 doses of the Covid vaccine administered to the staff and residents at the care center. Since the end of October 2023, they have given 138 doses of the adult RSV vaccine. Public Health continues to offer Covid-19, flu and RSV vaccines at their office on Campbell Drive.

Andrew Wendt, the Goshen County Auditor appeared before the board via ZOOM along with Ron Russell, who was present at the meeting. Wendt addressed the audit report of 2023, mentioning specifically the county had an increase in funding due to an increase in taxes. After talking numbers and confirming the accounts are in good standing, McNamee redirected the meeting’s attention to Russell and his departure from auditing for the town. 

“I did commit to the outlying funds until you find someone else or are in a bind.” Russell explained. “I’m still available for troubleshooting and QuickBooks should something come up.”

The board acknowledged Russell’s years of service to Goshen County, and the work he and his firm provided, calling his contributions “priceless” and ended by thanking him graciously. Turning back to Wendt the board also touched briefly on the topic of continuing Wendt’s contract with the city, confirming Wendt will stay on as Goshen County Auditor for the next three years. 

Wrapping up the topic of audits, the board invited Megan Brittingham from the Goshen County Extension Office to speak. Brittingham opened by imparting the 4-H organization celebrated its 122 Birthday in America on January 15, 2024. 

“Bull judging starts this Friday, January 19. Robotics is on Sunday, January 21. Our Juniors leaders met on Sunday, January 14, to start planning 4-H camp this summer. And at the end of the month we have the inaugural meeting of the first and second year swine project which is designed to provide educational content and a pig to show at the fair as well.” Brittingham said.

Tim Toedter of Hawk Springs attended the meeting to address Hawk Springs water and sewer needs, providing the board with pictures of a satellite view of the town for them to follow along with as he spoke. 

After thanking the commissioners for giving him the opportunity to speak, Toedter took a moment to acknowledge the upcoming 10-year anniversary of his own personal tragedy. On April 26, 2014, Toedter was shot by Eugene William Schlager Jr. during an attempted robbery at The Emporium restaurant in Hawk Springs. Toedter was treated on scene but left paralyzed by the attack. 

“It’s just been on my heart to thank the people who helped us through a very tough and traumatic time.” He explained. Toedter then addressed the business at hand. 

Hawk Springs, platted in 1928, was never incorporated, leaving the town without access to state, federal or county funding. Without those qualifying funds the town has had to be self-reliant, creating fundraisers to help bring in money to support its preservation, such as its annual goose cookoff. 

The funds raised help with necessities such as keeping the lines to each house in good repair and the installing of street signs, among other things. The residents of Hawk Springs are their own volunteers, taking on a large part of the beautification and maintenance such as road grading and snow plowing. 

In 2014-2016, Hawk Springs received funding in order to complete their water and sewer project, helping to save the wells for future generations, according to Toedter. 

Toedter asked for help with ideas for funding in regard to the upkeep and continued maintenance of the town’s infrastructure and protection of the current water system. McNamee told Toedter a visit with the zoning and planning board to see what can be done may be in order. 

Taking the floor next were representatives from Black Hills Energy, there to talk about Ready Wyoming, an energy pipeline project that was approved in 2022. Wes Ashton, Vice President of South Dakota and Wyoming Utilities, spoke first. 

Ashton told the board Black Hills Energy serves an estimated 1.7 million customers in approximately 800 communities over South Dakota, Wyoming and part of Montana. Right now, the company is still collaborating and negotiating with landowners who would be affected by the company’s work. “The project was announced and approved in 2022. It’s essentially a transmission line project for our electric utilities. It links up into a regional grid, two transmission lines, connecting to larger utilities.” Ashton said.

By doing this, Black Hills expects a significant economic impact to their customer base. 

“Studies by Black Hills Energy estimates customers would save north of one hundred million dollars and the project itself would have more than one hundred million dollars in economic benefits.” Ashton further elaborated. 

Ashton introduced Randy Harris, Director of Land for Black Hills Energy.

Harris, a Wyoming native from Thermopolis, took over to present a slideshow outlining Black Hills Energy’s vision. 

Harris shared the company’s commitment to reclamation and reseeding in the areas the company plans to work. 

According to the representatives, Black Hills has partnered with a Wyoming company, WYO Frontier Partners, to meet this objective. 

“The staging phase is set to start in late April 2024, using crews of 5 to 15 workers depending on the phase of work they’re in.” Harris explained. 

Harris also clarified the staging process would be the dropping off of materials at plotted worksites ahead of time. 

McNamee thanked both Ashton and Harris for their in-depth presentation, encouraging them to continue to keep them updated as the project moves forward, as it benefits all involved to keep the community abreast of information since they should be a part of the decision making process for our area as part of the lines will go through Goshen County.

After addressing a brief public comment, the meeting was adjourned.