WHEATLAND – At the most recent meeting of the board of Platte County Commissioners, many items were addressed, including the review of the renovation budget of the courthouse.

On Dec. 6 the commissioners convened and after a call to order, approval of past minutes and an approval of vouchers, they reviewed the daily receipts from treasuerer Kristi Rietz from Nov. 4 -30 totaling $1,814,755.19.

One of the bigger items discussed at the meeting was the review of the renovation budget for the courthouse. Sampson Construction is continuing to labor on the project, but one of the delays is in the elevator that is yet to be delivered. This delay has caused the project to be “slightly behind schedule,” according to County Clerk Malcolm Ervin.

“Basically, we are on track to be completed in February or March,” Ervin said in an interview after the meeting. “I think it’s going to be amazing. We’ve  stretched our dollar as far as we can and I feel we’ve gotten more than we expected.”

Ervin said that the project which was only supposed to be initially remodeling the basement has turned into a full three-story restoration and according to Ervin, the upgrades will make the courthouse able to stand the test of time for the next 100 years. In Ervin’s four years as clerk, he has set aside a capital reserve fund that allowed the county to be able to fully renovate without having to borrow any further money.

The delay has been in the special build of the courthouse elevator and according to Ervin, it had some built-ins that most elevators don’t have, such as security features since it is a courthouse elevator.

Other items covered at the meeting were the update on the new delivery of new motor graders. In the Fiscal Year 2022-23 budget, the board approved the leasing of five new Caterpillar motor graders from Wyoming Machinery. These were delivered to Road and Bridge the first week of December.

Also at the meeting, there was an interview of Curtis Hofrock as a potential board member for the Lodging Tax and Tourism Joint Powers Board. That board is comprised of five members appointed by the towns of Glendo, Guernsey, Chugwater and Wheatland along with the County of Platte. After the interview, Commissioner Ian Jolovich made a motion to appoint Hofrock to the board and Commissioner Kayla Mantle seconded the motion. The motion carried and Hofrock will join the board Jan. 1, 2023 to begin a three-year term.

In Public Health, Penny Simonton, Nurse Manager introduced Anne Petroski, Community Prevention Specialist to the board of commissioners. Petroski explained to the board the duties of a Community Prevention Specialist and the goals she is focused on achieving.

An agreement for consideration was presented and the board reviewed a draft between Mtn. West Technologies and Platte County. The agreement allows Mtn. West Technologies “rack space” in the IT room for internet equipment. It also allows Mtn. West Technologies to continue using their antenna on the roof of the Platte County Courthouse.

In addition to the commissioners passing resolutions as to the dates the commissioners will meet in 2023 and the official holidays that will be observed, they also discussed positions to be appointed.

Commissioner Jolovich made a motion which was seconded by Commissioner Mantle to appoint Aaron Clark as County Fire Warden for a term of four years beginning Jan. 1, 2023. That motion was carried. The second motion that carried was the appointment of Ken Small as Deputy County Fire Warden for a term of four years, beginning Jan. 1, 2023. The third appointment approved and passed was to appoint Amy Miller, Eric Heatherly, Bill Criss and John Watson to the Weed and Pest Board for a four-year term effective Jan. 1, 2023.

The board still has to fill two positions on the Fair Board and the County Engineer.