2021 WCCA Spring Board Meeting

2021 WCCA Spring Board Meeting

Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Holiday Inn

Rock Springs, Wyoming

I. Welcome to the Board.

President Jim Willox (Converse County) called the meeting to order at 12:17pm; lunch was provided

President Willox (Converse County) thanked WCCA staff and Sweetwater County for planning the meeting. Doc Wendling (Sweetwater County) provided brief comments, welcomed everyone to Sweetwater County, and thanked fellow Sweetwater County Commissioners and staff for helping plan the meeting.

II. Commissioner and Staff Introductions

Board members present: WCCA President Jim Willox (Converse County), WCCA Vice President Bill Novotny (Johnson County), WCCA Treasurer Natalia Macker (Teton County), Heber Richardson (Albany County), Bob Maul (Campbell County), John Espy (Carbon County for Sue Jones), Tom Ryan (Hot Springs County), Troy Thompson (Laramie County), Robert King (Lincoln County), Paul Bertoglio (Natrona County), Dossie Overfield (Park County for Lee Livingston), Nick Siddle (Sheridan County), Dave Stephens (Sublette County for Joel Bousman), Doc Wendling (Sweetwater County), Eric South (Uinta County), Fred Frandson (Washakie County), and Ed Wagoner (Weston County).

Also present were WCCA staff Jerimiah Rieman (ED), Kelli Little (Deputy Director), Britney Butler (Executive Assistant) and Rusty Bell (Campbell County).

III. Approval of Minutes

Troy Thompson (Laramie County) moved approval of the 2020 WCCA Fall Board Virtual Forum Meeting Minutes, September 16th, 2020, the 2020 WCCA Board of Directors Conference Call Meeting Minutes, November 16th, 2020, and the 2020 WCCA Virtual Winter Meeting Minutes, December 3-4th, 2020. Fred Frandson (Washakie County) seconded; motion carried.

IV. Board Roundtable

President Willox (Converse County) began the Board roundtable for members to bring forth topics that are not on the agenda. Topics of discussion included: County Road Fund (to include equipment purchases); CARES Act funding/Governor Gordon’s Strike Team; President Willox (Converse County) is on the Strike Team and requested the Board share ideas with him to take back to the team; President Biden’s 30x30 goal; and executive order impacts/WCCA’s work with the Governor’s office.

V. Building Update

ED Rieman notified the Board that the windows and the front door have been replaced and that the rest of the project is delayed due to supplies. ED Rieman also stated that the WCCA’s two tenants signed a three-year lease with slight rent increases, and he noted that Commissioner Malm (Laramie County) assisted with a market assessment.

VI. Financial Report

Treasurer Macker (Teton County) provided a brief financial update and stated that historically a few commissioners assisted with a financial review on an annual basis, but due to a lack of interest, the Executive Committee is looking to find an outside firm to assist and to help prepare protocols for future reviews. Other topics included: changes in the WY Retirement rates; requesting counties think about potential Business Partners within their own counties; and the benefits of the WCCA paying the NACo/WIR dues on behalf of counties (the membership has been extremely beneficial during COVID-19 with the webinars and resource assistance). President Willox (Converse County) stated that the Executive Committee met with ED Rieman regarding the proposed budget and dues and stated that the Executive Committee recommends that the proposal be brought forward for the full Board to review, modify, or adopt.

VII. FY22 Budget Discussion

ED Rieman reviewed the following handouts that were provided to the Board: FY22 Dues Proposal, the FY22 Budget Proposal (which included the FY20 through FY22 comparison, FY21 actual expenses through March 31, 2021 and the FY22 proposed budget), and the Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2021.

ED Rieman discussed the proposed dues at $375,000 and noted that the 2010 census population numbers are included as the 2020 county figures have not yet been released. The Board stated that this is something to be discussed in the future, as a policy question, when figuring the dues calculation as WCCA invoices counties annually on July 1st.

Topics of discussion included: the Business Partnership account ($100,000 higher than last year/$28,000 is from our old CD and it was noted that due to rates being abysmal, the money was left in this account); mortgage principal; income (it was stated that it has been a remarkable year for Business Partnerships and that the budget target was exceeded); rental income increase; WACO service fee increase was not sought due to the unusual year and WACO 2020 was not held; meeting line item may be higher (WCCA bought electronics for part of the 2021 WCCA Spring Meeting to be virtual); FNRPA agreement extended with the Governor’s office; Workers’ Compensation/County Employer Group (make one more attempt with County Clerks to get their support for a future FY); no proposed FNRPA contract employee (may be considered before Natural Resource Counsel, Bailey Brennan, returns); FNRPA insurance increase; FNRPA/NEPA training with PAW in August; WPLI expenses; BLM grazing regulation revisions (not in last year’s proposal, but the Governor’s office approved $37,463 to cover the contract); FNRPA online resource platform; legislative/community engagement (line item higher this year as we provided meals to the legislative body versus hosting a reception, which would be under the meetings line item); future consideration of events/meals for the legislative body; Leadership WY (one commissioner has been accepted this year); ED Rieman’s

master’s program reimbursement (under the other dues line item); potential future office expense of computer replacements; Business Partner staff share (7.5% between four staff members); and the commissioner in-residence program/WIR travel assistance.

The Board stated the financial picture of the organization reflects the WCCA’s leadership and the influx of Business Partnerships shows the stature of the organization.

The Board went into Executive Session from 2:19pm-3:27pm to discuss personnel.

President Willox (Converse County) stated the Board had a good discussion and entertained amendments to the proposed budget. Treasurer Macker (Teton County) moved to make the following amendments to the proposed budget: amend the staff salary to $110,000; amend the Executive Directors salary to $121,000; adjust the payroll to align with amounts; and adjust the business income line item. Fred Frandson (Washakie County) seconded the adjusted budget and the accompanying due’s structure; motion carried.

VIII. Good of the Order

ED Rieman thanked the Board for their support and confidence of the staff over the last year during COVID-19.

President Willox (Converse County) adjourned the 2021 WCCA Spring Board Meeting at 3:41pm and Doc Wendling (Sweetwater County) reminded the Board that the Sweetwater Welcome Reception (sponsored by Wyoming CLASS and Cowboy Skill), will be held at 6:00pm at Bunning Hall.