TORRINGTON – Wrapping up the 2017-2018 budget, considering wind energy land use needs, and learning about updates in the Wyoming Department of Transportation, filled the day for the Goshen County Commissioners on Tuesday.
First on the list was approving appropriations of $13.3 million for the 2017-2018 FY Budget. A public hearing had been held the evening of July 17 regarding the document, with no objections from the public.
Prior to approving the budget, County Clerk Cindy Kenyon reviewed the document and its elements. She said county taxable sales decreased 3.7 percent last year. State figures show the southeast region of Wyoming experienced an inflation rate of 3.1 percent, and the county valuation was down more than 2.2 percent.
Legislation passed during the 2017 session made it possible for counties to contract with other states to house prisoners, and Goshen County signed a contract with Scotts Bluff County, Neb. The numbers fluctuate, but as of Wednesday, July 19, Undersheriff Jeremy Wardell said 19 Nebraska inmates are in the Goshen County Detention Center. The county receives $47 a day per inmate.
Employee compensation accounts for almost 51 percent of the budget. In spite of tight revenues, the county still pays all of the employee retirement, at a cost to the county of $539,000, annually.
Kenyon concluded that Goshen County government is financially sound and continues to practice prudent financial management.
Changes at WyDOT
An update on changes at the Wyoming Department of Transportation was presented by WyDOT Director William “Bill” Panos. Panos joined the department in 2015, and began streamlining operations.
Panos explained that one of his objectives is to visit Wyoming communities to inform them of department changes, as well as to inform them of projects and other actions that will impact them in the future.
“I thought it was time to talk directly to the communities,” Panos said. “WyDOT isn’t just transportation. It is also airports and the Wyoming Highway Patrol, in addition to public projects.”
He emphasized the importance of the 2,000 department employees, many of them in local communities, where they know and understand the needs. The $640 million department has experienced its share of budget cuts, but is doing its best to serve the people of Wyoming, Panos said.
One of his goals is to create partnerships with communities in order to better serve their needs. He said they need to keep talking and be able to change course when necessary, but to always keep working together.
After describing a few projects around the state, he also heard about some local concerns from the commissioners.
Commissioner Wally Wolski asked about getting improvements on a railroad crossing near Yoder, and Commissioner Carl Rupp asked about the possibility of increasing the speed limit in the southbound lane of the Highway 85 overpass.
Potential problems during the solar eclipse were also addressed during the hour-long presentation.
Public hearing
At 2 p.m., the commissioners opened a Wind Regulation Hearing to address amendments to the county land use plan.
After a presentation by Aaron Branam, project manager of EDP Renewables of North America LLC, the commissioners tabled action until their Aug. 1 meeting.
Among subjects discussed were markets, transmission lines, leases, tower heights, setback requirements, and land values, as well as the impact on people, not just the land.
“You have to take into consideration the people, and not just the land value,” said Commissioner John Ellis, who ranches north of Torrington. “Who wants to ranch and look at or listen to those all day long?”
Ellis had been involved in wind energy development discussions in Carbon County where he formerly lived.
Other items on the day’s agenda were reports from the sheriff, the county fair office, and road and bridge department. The line of credit was renewed with Pinnacle Bank as a contingency, and Ron Russell reviewed the management report.
The next Goshen County Commission meeting will be on Tuesday, Aug. 1.
