Reporter’s Notes

Hangar okayed

Dr. David Burnett and Tagg Guio of the Big Piney Airport Board spoke with Sublette County Commissioners Friday, seeking a commitment for funding of a new hangar at the airfield. Burnett said the hangar addition is “needed and justifiable” infrastructure for the county. The improvements can assure better service to airport clients, he said.

Commission Chair Betty Fear spoke in support of the proposal, as did Commissioner Bill Cramer. Commissioner John Linn said he’s very concerned that the county will be left with a huge utility bill. Linn said he’s not just talking about the hangar, but all the county buildings being constructed.

All three commissioners committed to the hangar, with its estimated cost of $1.3 million.

County planner

County planner applicants now total three, according to Sublette County Clerk Mary Lankford, adding that the applicants are from Las Vegas, Cody and Missouri. The county commission decided to proceed with interviews by phone and determine from that process whether to proceed with face-to-face interviews with any of the candidates.

Special prosecutor

The commissioners appointed several special prosecutors during Friday’s business meeting. Pinedale attorney Bill Twichell was appointed to prosecute a driving under the influence criminal complaint involving a husband of a county attorney’s office employee.

Teton County Attorney Steve Weichman was appointed to head a criminal investigation against a person who currently has a lawsuit pending against Sublette County.

Board appointments

The commission appointed Laurie Latta to the county library board and Karen Goodall Fernsten to the recreation board. There is still one vacancy on the recreation board.

Fair Board

Steve James and Randy Belton presented a proposed job description for a county fair manager. The proposal calls for one full-time person and a part-time assistant. James said he’d like the salary to start at $30,000 plus county benefits for the full-time position.

The commission said that the manager position will be funded through the fair board budget and will be an employee of the fair board. The commission agreed to allow the position on a one-year trial basis.

Trees

Big Piney rancher Jim Mickelson of the Wyoming Board of Agriculture asked the commission to provide funding for three trees for the state fairgrounds in Douglas. Mickelson noted that the trees on the fairgrounds are old and dying, adding that each county is asked to provide funding for a few trees at $350 per tree. The commission agreed to provide funding for three trees.

SAFV office

Robyn Clover of the Sublette County Sexual Assault and Family Violence office gave the commission an update on the planning process for construction of a new SAFV office in the county. With an estimated cost of $120-$135 per square foot, the county has received approval for a $300,000 grant for the building, which has an estimated cost of $540,000.