WHEATLAND – Platte County computers were held up with ransomware in late December, but the county didn’t pay or suffer any consequences.
Pro River Tech, the county’s information technology provider, updated the Platte County Commission on the ransomware hit during the commission’s regular meeting Jan. 16.
During a telephone interview Monday, Commissioner Eric Johnston said the county doesn’t know where the threat came from, but it locked up county computers with a message saying the county must pay for the key to unlock them.
“But we were able to thwart it because we had our backups,” Johnston said. “So, no ransom was paid.”
In addition to the ransomware hit, Pro River Tech employees discussed IT projects that may qualify for Homeland Security grant funds. They also provided the amount of IT inventory for insurance purposes.   
In other business, the Platte County Commission:
■ Approved county vouchers as presented totaling $170,332.45.

■ Canceled tax year 2017 property tax for Guernsey Economic & Tourism Development in the amount of $806.42 because the property is owned by a nonprofit organization and is tax exempt.
■ Appointed Ian Jolovich as county engineer/surveyor.
■ Approved encroachments for Kyle Lewis and Rocky Mountain Energy Solutions.
■ Approved Amendment 2 to the contract with the state Department of Corrections, increasing the total contract dollar amount by $25,000 for a total not to exceed $125,000.
■ Approved a letter of agreement with Wyoming Behavioral Institute in regard to involuntary hospitalizations at a rate of $754 per day, with the county only responsible for county
residents.
■ Approved the donation of 5.11 hours of sick leave from one county employee to another.
■ Approved the public health emergency operation plan incident command structure for public health.
■ Approved a building certificate for Ron and Peggy Kersey.
■ Discussed court security upgrades. Wyoming Safe & Lock is scheduled to finish up the projects the last week in January. The grant ends June 30.
■ Discussed putting a specific purpose tax question on the primary election ballot in August. The courthouse will be one proposition, the municipalities projects will be one proposition and the 4-H building improvements will be one proposition. Firm project estimates are to be submitted to the county clerk before Feb. 6.
■ Reviewed the county audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, with Paul Stille, auditor for Leo Riley & Sons.