Hot Springs County will seek to collect imposed fines

The Hot Springs County Commissioners met on October 7 for their first regular meeting for the month.

Les Culliton appeared before the commissioners, to inquire about the status of collection efforts regarding the court ordered fine imposed in connection with the Tipi Retreat property. County Attorney Jill Logan stated that she was awaiting direction from the commissioners to move forward with collection efforts.

Upon a motion made by commissioner Bob Aguiar and seconded by chairman Tom Ryan, the commissioners advised the county Attorney to proceed to collect the imposed fine. Commissioner Paul Galovich voted no on the motion.

Local resident Gary Frazier stated that the parties who had filed the most recent Petition for Review with the District Court would be seeking reimbursement from the county for the attorney fees incurred by the successful petitioners in that civil action. Chairman Ryan stated that the county will review any demand for reimbursement.

Two local residents submitted written requests that commissioner Aguiar and commissioner Galovich recuse themselves from any matters relating to the Tipi Retreat, the Tipi Ranch, or any of their owners or representatives. Both commissioners stated that they would not recuse themselves. Interestingly, if the request to recuse had been honored, the motion to pursue collection of the imposed fine could not have been passed, as that would have left only Chairman Ryan who could not take action on the matter on his own.

The commissioners approved a proposed marketing plan, including a logo, for the project known as “The Overlook at Round Top”. The board also approved a contract with Ardurra for engineering services to be provided on the Overlook project. Ardurra anticipates they will be meeting with the Commissioners in December to review their proposals for development of the project.

Representatives from a consulting group working with WYDOT to study possible alternate travel routes to the roadway through the Wind River Canyon, or whether the Canyon route can be improved to provide safer travel, with fewer closures from weather conditions, from soil stability issues, or from other causes. All involved in the discussion agreed that the Canyon is much more than a scenic byway. It is a critical southern access route to Thermopolis, and to the Big Horn Basin. The study is scheduled to be concluded, and a final report issued, by the end of 2026.

Nate Messenger reported that the recent Fly-In at the airport had been well attended, with 10 planes, 2 helicopters and 31 model aircraft participating. Messenger also reported that all of the radios at the airport have been recertified with the FCC. The recertification is good for the next 10 years. At Messenger’s request, the commissioners approved a contract for support and maintenance of the airport’s weather service equipment.

Shawn Mohr from Public Health reported that his office is currently providing flu and COVID shots on Mondays and Wednesdays. The department administered sixty plus shots at the recent flu shot clinic.

The commissioners appointed Shurie Scheel to the Board of the Big Horn Basin Nature and Discovery Center.

Finally, the commissioners voted to lift the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions in Hot Springs County, which had been imposed in August.

The commissioners will meet next on Tuesday, October 21 at 3 p.m. Video recordings of the commissioner’s meetings may viewed on the county’s web page at hscounty.com.