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County must upgrade software

The Hot Springs County Board of Commissioners held their first meeting for March on Tuesday, discussing election items, road and bridge work and fuel and holding tank issues with the airport.

County Clerk Nina Webber said the State of Wyoming has sent down a mandate to all county clerks requiring an upgrade to the operating system used during elections.

As of this year, the software the state is requiring will no longer recognize the Windows XP operating system. Webber had set aside funds to order a new computer for the change over, however, with the new requirements there is not nearly enough in her budget for the purchase.

Computers used for elections are stand-alone units and may not be used for any other county business other than the elections. Total cost for the new computer and the associated software will be nearly $3,000.

The commissioners voted to authorize the purchase of the new computer and software, not to exceed $3,500, out of the courthouse equipment budget.

Road and Bridge superintendent Dave Schlager reported fill material has been hauled to the site of the guard rail project and things should get underway this week. In addition, his crews have been working on the shoulders on West Sand Draw.

With road construction season right around the corner, Schlager said a gravel crusher will be moving in this week at the county's Wagonhound pit to get a jump on what will be needed for this year's road work.

Schlager said the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) suggested, with the price of crushing being so low this season, that counties might consider raising their crushing limit in order to stockpile for the future.

With that in mind, paperwork has been sent to the DEQ to add 25% more product to the county's proposal.

The commissioners agreed also, to add extra tonnage from the Shafer Pit on the other side of the county. This will allow storage of material in two places, eliminating the need to haul gravel from one side of the county to the other, cutting down on fuel costs.

The commissioners also worked on some items from the airport, with commissioner Brad Basse suggesting a credit card system be set up that would allow pilots to use a credit card to pay for their fuel when they land here.

There was some concern this could open the county coffers up to possible fraud, so to eliminate that possibility, they agreed to open a separate account at one of the local banks, specifically for handling these transactions.

Not only would a separate account mean the county monies would remain secure, it would also give the auditors a line-by-line accounting of the fuel purchases at the new airport.

Fixed Base Operator Nate Messenger told the commissioners there has been a slow but steady increase in traffic at the new airport and they have even had their first jet landing.

Apparently, a group from California flew to Thermopolis to see a cutting event at the Hot Springs County Fairgrounds a couple of weeks ago, making them the first jet to touch the tarmac.

To date, fuel for the airplanes at the airport has been stored in rented trucks, however, come Monday that will change when the new fuel tanks arrive. It is estimated it will take approximately two weeks for their installation and inspection, so the tanker trucks will still be used until the new containers are finished.

Messenger also told the commissioners he was able to get the latest fill of fuel at about a dollar less than the previous fill-up, so he has dropped the price of fueling by about 40-cents. It is hoped the price stays this way as lower prices entice pilots to come here to fuel up, increasing traffic.

 

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