Commissioners convene at community center

Visits from Mead, Lummis highlight State Commissioners meeting

Visits from the Governor and congresswoman Cynthia Lummis highlighted the three-day Wyoming State Commissioners Association (WCCA) Spring Meeting.

Over 90 County Commissioners from all corners of the state met at the Platte Valley Community Center (PVCC) to collaborate and hear from organizations.

"This meeting is not so much where we do business like our legislative meeting, which takes place in every other year at a winter meeting," Bob Rolston, WCCA president and Sheridan County Commissioner said. "This is more of a resource meeting where we bring in industry folks and governmental folks to talk about issues that we share in common and just that we can learn from those presentations and have the interface – be it with the federal government or our legislative delegation."

The meetings featured presentations from Western Governors Association Executive Director James Ogsbury, the Administrator of the Mineral Tax Division of the Department of Revenue Craig Grenvik along with several other events to enlighten the commissioners.

Rolston said that presentations "really open the eyes" of the commissioners.

"Each of us have a very unique situation in each of the 23 counties, but that unique situation carries out through the state."

Several commissioners said that they enjoyed bouncing ideas off each other and networking during the meetings. Forrest Chadwick, a commissioner from Natrona County, said sharing ideas helps all the commissioners.

"It's nice to be able to see what [commissioners] are doing in their county and maybe see how it can help your county," Chadwick said.

Events for the commissioners included a tour of the Saratoga Forest Management's sawmill April 23, where owner Gary Ervin explained the economic impacts of its re-opening in 2012. Several commissioners said they were impressed the mill employs around 150 people; most of whom are residents of the Platte Valley.

Politicians come to Town

Thursday was highlighted by the arrival of Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (R) and Governor Matt Mead (R). Lummis, who had just announced her candidacy for re-election the previous day, said that she felt like she was "among friends" at the commissioners meeting.

"I actually have more to learn from you [the commissioners] than you do from me," Lummis said in her speech.

"The County Commissioners are among my most trusted and important advisors," she added.

Lummis and the County Commissioners spent 40 minutes discussing the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and its impact on Wyoming agriculture and energy. Lummis is currently co-chair on a committee attempting to target reforms to ESA.

"The endangered species act was passed in 1973 - the last time there were any statutory reforms to it was in, I believe, 1989," Lummis said, "It's a very hard act to reform because of the powerful influences of certain environmental groups that are benefiting financially with the status quo with the Endangered Species Act."

Some of the bills to reform the ESA Lummis is proposing include increased authority to local governments.

"The bills include giving counties, local governments and tribes more say and, hopefully, earlier in listing decisions and implementation of listing decisions," Lummis said.

Lummis said she has been a strong supporter of Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) while in Washington. PILT provides payments to local governments in order to compensate for potential tax revenue loss on federal lands,  

Only a few hours later, Gov. Matt Mead made an appearance at the County Commissioners Spring Meeting. Mead said he has strong roots with county commissioners, as several of his family members used to be a commissioners.

"My grand-dad always said that the real power in Wyoming is in the county commissioners," Mead said. "And I always thought it was remarkable for him to say that after he'd been governor, he would continue to say that. But I think I know now as governor, and more importantly working with all (the commissioners), as true ... my fundamental belief is that the government working closest to the people is the best government."

In March, the Wyoming legislature approved Mead's 175 million dollar budget request to go towards local towns and counties. Mead said the budget, which provides a 45 million dollar increase to local governments from 2013, will breed success locally and statewide.

"We have had success with 135 million, and we certainly will have success with 175 million," Mead said.

Rolston said having both Lummis and Mead make appearances at the meeting meant a lot to him and the other county commissioners.

"To have Congresswoman Lummis come by and spend some time with us and have some interface with us is big," Rolston said."Since I've been president, and I am now in my second year, I can't remember a meeting [Gov. Mead] wasn't at, or we have been invited to the Governor's Mansion to have breakfast with him and the first lady.

Women's meeting

The Spring meeting on Friday started with a first, as many of the women commissioners held the first ever Women of Wyoming County Commissioners breakfast. Carbon County Commissioner, and Saratoga resident, Lindy Glode said the breakfast was a great way for women in politics to share their ideas and potentially grow their numbers.

"It's just a network for women to share ideas, issues, education," Glode said. "We kind of just had a round-table with discussions. Out of 90 county commissioners in Wyoming, 12 of them are women, and we would like it to be half."

Guests at the breakfast were Representative Elaine Harvey (R) with House District 26 and Melissa Turley, Commissioner of Teton County, who shared her experiences in several women's leadership organizations throughout the state.

The final meeting Friday, ended with their general session. Rolston said it was an opportunity for the commissioners to express their philosophies with each other.

"It's a round-table so that everyone from each county has an opportunity to stand up and share with the rest of the counties some of the things they've seen or might see coming down the road that we have to have a heads up for," Rolston said. "Or if there is something they've been able to find a solution to a problem, they share it with everyone. To me, that is sort of the main focus on the Spring Meeting."

Glode said having the meetings in her home town was not only great for Platte Valley businesses, but was an honor for the Carbon County Commissioners.

"I was very proud to be one of the hosts. Everyone who came said they just love it here, and they love (the PVCC)" Glode said. "Bringing people to town and showing them what we have is really important."

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 
Rendered 02/29/2024 08:24