Wheatland Board of County Commissioners first meeting puts focus on detention center maintenance

Mark DeLap
Posted 1/11/23

Commissioners first meeting of 2023

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Wheatland Board of County Commissioners first meeting puts focus on detention center maintenance

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WHEATLAND - The Wheatland Board of County Commissioners first meeting of 2023 was called to order at 9 a.m. After the agenda was motioned and approved,  the first order of business was the requirement to elect a chairman of the board pursuant to Wyoming statute (W.S.) §18-3-507. Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to elect Steve Shockley as chairman of the Board. The motion carried.

Chairman Shockley began conducting the meeting and requested that the Board consider its beginning of year duties. The Board then considered the designation of an official County newspaper, as required by W.S. §18-3-517, which is where public notices required by law shall be published throughout the year. Commissioner Mantle motioned, seconded by Commissioner Jolovich, to designate the Platte County Record-Times as the official newspaper of the County for calendar year 2023. The motion carried. The Board then considered the appointment of County Engineer, as required by W.S. §18-3-701. Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to appoint Hal Hutchinson as County Engineer for calendar year 2023. The motion carried.

After the board approved the Dec. 20, 2022, minutes, vouchers were approved totaling $754,614.51.

The Board then examined, and approved, a bond in the amount of $100,000 for Kristi Rietz as County Treasurer.

Doug Dumont, County Planner, presented a simple subdivision request made by Traci Hatten who is requesting to divide 20-acres into two parcels. The property is described as part of the NE ¼ NW ¼, N ½ NE ¼, SE ¼ NE ¼ of Section 25, Township 25 North, Range 67 West, Platte County, Wyoming. The motion to approve was completed.

The Board discussed maintenance at the County Jail with newly elected Sheriff David Russell and the County maintenance supervisor Jim DeWitt. The Board requested information on which issues at the detention center were the most pressing. Plumbing and HVAC were the primary concerns, which DeWitt said should be addressed soon. The Board also requested that DeWitt develop a routine maintenance and cleaning schedule for the facility.

“There’s a lot to do over there,” DeWitt said. “The biggest thing is to begin to repair all the little leaks in the basement and we are having a plumbing company out of Douglas that is going to snake it.”

New Platte County Sheriff David Russell mentioned that most of what former maintenance supervisor Larry Evans did was maintenance and plumbing and one of the problems was constant repair of the timed showers for inmates. DeWitt said he could set the time authorized for a shower to any time they needed.

It was also brought up that somewhere in the near future, consideration could be given to the replacement of the current HVAC system and water heaters. Commissioner Chair Shockley said that in the upcoming budget process there would have to be more money funneled into the detention center.

Some discussion was made on the existing evidence room which, in the event of a basement remodel would be expanded to handle all of the evidence that needs to be locked there.

“We need to sandblast some of the metal down there so the inmates can paint with a paint that will stick,” Russell said. “That would make it look good down there.”

Wyoming Statute §9-4-831(h), requires that the County have on file a statement of investment policy. Annually, the Board sets that policy via resolution, which is on file in the Office of the County clerk. Commissioner Mantle motioned, seconded by Commissioner Jolovich, to approve Resolution #2023-01 adopting an investment policy. The motion carried.

Platte County Resolution #2023-01

Statement of Investment Policy

WHEREAS, Wyoming State Statute §9-4-831(h) mandates every political subdivision adopt “a statement of investment policy,” and;

WHEREAS, Platte County desires to adopt an investment policy at least as restrictive with respect to the types of investment as authorized by W.S. §9-4-831(a).

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF PLATTE COUNTY, WYOMING:

The Platte County financial accounting procedures are divided among the County Commissioners, the County Clerk, and the County Treasurer. The County Clerk is designated as budget officer (W.S. 16-4-102(a)(iv)); the County Treasurer is in charge of the county treasury (W.S. §18-3-804). Warrants for payment from the treasury must be authorized by the Board of County Commissioners (W.S. §§18-3-504 and 18-3-805);

It shall be the policy of the Platte County Treasurer to invest public funds in a manner which will provide the highest investment return with the maximum security, and conforming to all federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the investment of public funds;

To the extent possible, the Platte County Treasurer will attempt to match its investments with anticipated cash flow requirements. Unless matched to a specific cash flow, the Platte County Treasurer will not directly invest in securities maturing more than one (1) year from the date of purchase.

Funds in excess of cash flow requirements may be invested in securities maturing not more than five (5) years, if the maturity of such investments is made to coincide as nearly as practicable with the expected use of funds.

Any person affecting an investment transaction on behalf of Platte County, or offering investment advice, shall sign a statement indicating he or she has read this policy and agrees to abide by this policy and by applicable federal, state, and local laws with respect to the advice given and transactions undertaken on behalf of the County.

The Platte County Treasurer shall be, and is hereby authorized to make such statutory investments, at his or her discretion, as will conform to this policy which shall be deemed at least as restrictive as the types of investments authorized by W.S. §9-4-831(a);

The County shall diversify its instruments by security type and institution. With the exception of U.S. Treasury securities, certificates of deposits, and authorized pools, no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the County’s total investment portfolio will be invested in a single security type.

To provide assurance that the County will be able to continue financial operations without interruption and dependent upon interest rates, satisfaction with services, the County will generally attempt to utilize at least two financial institutions as depositories.

The Treasurer is charged with the responsibility of providing a monthly financial report, to include investment activity and returns, in the County’s Financial Report.

This policy shall be effective through calendar year 2023.

Authorization of Direct Deposit: Commissioner Jolovich motioned, seconded by Commissioner Mantle, to approve Resolution #2023-02 authorizing direct deposit. The motion carried.

Platte County Resolution #2023-02

A Resolution Authorizing the Release of Monies Prior to Each County Payroll Distribution Via Direct Deposit

WHEREAS, Wyoming State Statute §18-4-102 states all county officers are prohibited from paying themselves from money belonging to any county which may be in their possession, but shall receive pay for services rendered to a county by warrants drawn upon the County Treasury by the Board of County Commissioners; and,

WHEREAS, said statute further states that all salary and wage payments to persons employed by a county including county officers may be made by direct deposit if the County Clerk chooses to implement a direct deposit program, unless the employee elects not to participate in the program.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF PLATTE COUNTY, WYOMING: that the County Clerk is hereby authorized to implement a payroll direct deposit program for employees who elect to participate and authorizes the County Clerk to issue summary reports to direct deposit participants in lieu of warrants, as allowed by law.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Platte County Commissioners authorizes county payroll distribution for participating employees through direct deposit for every payroll event in 2023. The intent of this resolution is to provide blanket compliance with Wyoming State Statute §18-4-102(b) for the 2023 calendar year.