Small Town News

Commissioners consider energy-conservation projects

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The Big Horn County Commissioners will be looking to stimulus funding as a way to improve energy efficiency at the Lovell Annex.

At the commissioners meeting Sept. 2, the commissioners directed Jim Raffl and the Grants Administration staff to work on energy conservation projects with funding available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Commissioner Jerry Ewen said he hoped that grant funding could be obtained to work on the heating and cooling system at the Lovell Annex to make it more energy efficient. Raffl Said there are other projects that could also fit the grant requirements including an electrical Upgrade and continuing window replacement at the courthouse.

Raffl and the Grants Administration staff will also see if any remodeling of the old jail could fit the criteria for the State Energy Program-ARRA funding program.

At Tuesday's meeting, Grants Administrator Linda Harp said the grant application is due Oct. 1 and the County would be seeking $750,000 for boiler replacement in the courthouse and the Lovell Annex, control system at the Lovell Annex and light replacement (with 350 fixtures total) in the courthouse.

The county must fund 10 percent of the project through cash or in-kind funding. The commissioners, with Keith Grant absent, voted to support the project 80 percent cash funding and 20 percent in kind.

In other funding news, the commissioners received an update from County Treasurer Becky Lindsey on the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act of 2000 (formerly Forest Reserve Payments). The county is required to form a Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) and Lindsey said she is waiting to hear back from two of the 15 possible members and then she will meet with Medicine Wheel/Paintrock District Ranger Dave Sisk to approve the members before the list is presented to the commissioners for approval.

Under the program, Big Horn County voted last fall to seek a share of the state's full payment, which would bring $562,341 to Big Horn County. The funding program is a four-year program with funding decreasing 10 percent annually, Commission Chairman Keith Grant said last fall.

There are specific requirements on where the funds can be used. Grant said the state takes 5 percent for local school districts. The county must spend at least 5 percent on county roads. Counties receiving more than $350,000 must spend at least 15 percent and not more than 20 percent on Title II or Title III programs.

The RAC will make determination on the funding for the Title II programs. Title II project funds may be used for protection, restoration and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat or other resource objectives that would benefit the resources on Forest Service lands. These projects could include improving existing infrastructure such as trails, implementing stewardship projects that enhance forest ecosystems, watershed restoration, controlling noxious weed and re-establishment of native species.

The commissioners, as they did last fall, voted this year to set aside the minimum 8 percent of the funding for Title II and the minimum 7 percent for Title III. Title III activities to be funded through the Secure Rural Schools act can include Firewise Community programs, reimbursement to the county for search and rescue and other emergency services including firefighting performed on federal land, and to develop community wildfire protection plans.

Other business

In other business at the Sept. 2-3 regular meetings, the commissioners:

Approved a transfer for the county engineer's credit card to the name of new engineer Evan Sullivan and a second card for the planning office.

Approved a resolution supporting a grant being applied for by the Big Horn Basin Adolescent Programs for a new vehicle for youth transportation. The county was also notified of the annual grant award for Big Horn Healthy Families in the amount of $40,000.

Heard a report from County Extension Educator Dallen Smith. Smith thanked the commissioners for the budget and for allowing Extension to carry over funds from last year's budget in order to purchase a 2002 nine-passenger Suburban with 90,000 miles. The vehicle will be used in place of the 1998 Expedition with nearly 200,000 miles.

The commissioners approved the annual memorandum of understanding with the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service for the 4-H Extension educator.

Smith informed the commissioners that they are advertising for an administrative assistant.

AT A GLANCE:

Grant would fund new boiler, lights at courthouse, boiler, control system at Lovell Annex.



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© 2009 Basin Republican Rustler Basin, Wyoming. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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