Commissioners approve gambling behavior funds

Washakie County Commissioners on Tuesday, June 4 approved $5,631 in funding for the Oxbow Center to address problem gambling in the community.

Oxbow Center CEO Mary Johnson presented the commissioners with a proposal for programming that would raise awareness of problem gambling behaviors, help those affected by problem gambling to access support, provide staff training and certification in evidence-based practices, and provide resources and treatment to people seeking care, through purchase of treatment materials and assessment tools.

Washakie County recently received state funding to address problem gambling, and in their May 7 meeting the commissioners asked Oxbow Center for a proposal to utilize these funds.

Oxbow Center was established in April of this year through a merger of Worland’s Cloud Peak Counseling with Big Horn Basin Counseling Services (Basin and Lovell) and Yellowstone Behavioral Health Center (Cody and Powell).

Commissioner Terry Wolf made a motion to accept Johnson’s proposal, which was seconded by Chairman Aaron Anderson. The two commissioners then voted to approve it (Commissioner Morgan Martinez was not present at the meeting).

The commissioners also approved a request by Alissa Blood of Goose’s Liquor for a catering permit.

PLANNING; ROAD & BRIDGE

The commissioners received an update from Interim County Planner Mike Robinson about bids received for chip sealing and other improvement on several county roads, pursuant to one-time funding received from the federal government’s Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund. These funds were designated to provide “flexible support for eligible revenue-sharing counties and eligible Tribal governments to meet their jurisdiction’s needs.” Washakie County is using these funds to invest in road improvement, particularly on Airport Road, Washakie Ten, Road 13, Lane 14 and Road 47 (Lower Nowood Road). Robinson’s update focused primarily on bids and options for work on Sesame Street, Spring Creek Road and other county roads, which would be carried out in partnership with residential owners on these roads.

Robinson also brought up an issue that he said may necessitate a new county policy. He recently became aware of a case where five separate parcels were included in a single deed of ownership. This was apparently done as a matter of convenience. Various issues could potentially arise when multiple parcels are combined in one deed, including in the context of taxation. Robinson has reached out to other Wyoming counties to learn their policies and practices in this regard, as well as to the Washakie County Assessor Nancy Quinn.

Road & Bridge Superintendent Stuart Bower updated the commissioners on progress in grading several roads, including Cherry Creek Road, Dry Farm Road and other roads in the Upper Nowood country. Grading is also going well on the Cottonwood Creek Road and other roads closer to Worland.

Bower also discussed Road & Bridge’s staffing issues. A new full-time crew member is based in Ten Sleep. In a colloquy, Bower and the commissioners discussed some potential advantages of utilizing part-time Road & Bridge personnel over full time.

One advantage is that semi-retired people are highly experienced and know what they’re doing. Although their hourly rate may be greater than that of full-time crew, it can be cost-effective for the county to hire them, because of costs for health insurance and other benefits for full-time hires.

MAINTENANCE

Building Maintenance Manager Breck Buer reported that the Washakie County Library’s roof mostly looks fine, but part of the cap is not in good condition. The roof may need a new cap.

Buer also stated that the main fire alarm control panel at the VA Clinic (a county-owned building) has been sending out unnecessary alerts and may need to be replaced.

Buer discussed a recent conversation with Washakie County Search and Rescue Commander Dave Michel.

It seems that the sewer line at Search and Rescue’s Fifteen Mile Road facility freezes up every winter. It may be necessary to run a separate sewer line to the facility. Buer will speak about this with Worland Director of Public Works Nick Kruger.