From the pages of
Sublette Examiner
Volume 5, Number 6 - May 5, 2005
brought to you online by Pinedale Online

Commissioners hear complaints and compliments

by Bill Boender

The Sublette County Commissioners met Tuesday, May 3, with a short agenda, hearing a complaint from Dave and Sandra Goodwin about dust from truck traffic by their home. The Goodwins requested a lower speed limit for trucks and asked for treatment to reduce dust. The commissioners reminded the Goodwins that the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is the permitting agency and will review the problem.

In the interim, the county road and bridge department has plans to use a stabilizer on that portion of road that will reduce dust. Commissioner Bill Cramer reminded the Goodwins that there are advantages to living on a county road but that dust is one of the disadvantages that all residents have to deal with.

Bonnie Chambers of Chambers Design Build reviewed plans for the new county shop, reporting that the project is progressing on schedule. Contracts were signed to begin a portion of the work.

Paul Scherbel was appointed to another one-year term as Sublette County Surveyor.

Jim McLellan of Boulder complimented the county road department for being efficient and responsive over the past winter in keeping roads open and maintained, reporting to the commissioners that he and other residents are pleased with that department.

Paul Stille of Casper reviewed the draft audit of the county for fiscal year 2004, going over some 30 pages of data which was presented in three formats covering the new style, old style and adjustments between those audits. New accounting methods are required by law and the county is revising methods to comply. Stille reported no findings of irregularities and complimented the county staff for cooperation in the audit process. The final audit report should be available at the next meeting. The county will need to prepare a list of all county assets under the new system.

Bill Schertz again reviewed clinic construction plans with the commissioners, offering advice regarding design and location. Schertz recommended terminating architect contracts and starting from scratch on designs. Referring to the Sublette County Health Care District Board, Commission Chair Betty Fear said: "We can't make these decisions until we have a plan. I am so frustrated that we haven't made any decisions."

Joe Ahlstrom updated the commissioners on progress with the Big Piney/Marbleton Recreation Center, reporting that they will form two entities to build and operate the facility. One will be a non-profit organization and the other will be a joint powers board.

In addition to the $40,000 start-up fund provided by the commissioners, Ahlstrom has had verbal commitment from the towns of Big Piney and Marbleton for $100,000 each to assist in land purchase. Two properties have been located that would be suitable and purchase negotiations are underway. A request for additional funding has been presented to the Sublette County Recreation Board asking for $210,000 from that source.

Brad Waters and Rick Foley reviewed courthouse construction progress and reported that most remaining work should be completed within six weeks. Additional crews will be on hand soon to take care of final warranty and punch-list items.

Commissioner John Linn pointed out the need for a new county representative for the Pinedale Anticline Working Group working with the Bureau of Land Management following the resignation of their original representative. The county will begin advertising for an interested person to fill that position.

The commissioners discussed the possibility of expanded mosquito spraying this summer and will consider providing additional funding to existing districts to allow for spraying in other areas such as Boulder, Cora and Daniel.

The commissioners discussed the Labarge Creek Road situation and will see if a meeting can be arranged with property owners, BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Lincoln County officials in order to resolve the matter.

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