2024 WCCA Fall Meeting at the WACO Conference

2024 WCCA Fall Meeting at the WACO Conference

September 24-26, 2024

Sweetwater Events Complex

Rock Springs, WY

Tuesday, September 24

Presentations

Day one commenced with the session Mastering Meeting Management from 8:30 a.m. to

10:00 a.m., focusing on the importance of ensuring positive public engagement and civil

discourse in public meetings. The Attorney General’s Office emphasized the necessity for

county officials to master public meeting management by adopting well-planned strategies and clear ground rules. These measures ensure smooth proceedings, accurate record-keeping, and compliance with legal requirements. The session highlighted foundational practices for running legally compliant meetings and provided practical recommendations for achieving efficiency and effectiveness.

From 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the session Structuring Human Resource Management

addressed various human resource management approaches used by Wyoming’s counties,with panelists discussing the interactions of independently elected officials within their systems. Key topics included the distinction between statutory authority and local control, the use of human resource policies and manuals, workforce planning and development, and addressing liability concerns. The discussion emphasized the importance of creating systems that balance compliance with local needs while supporting workforce growth and policy alignment.

The final session, First Amendment Auditors and Courthouse Security, took place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., focusing on the rise in visits from First Amendment Auditors to public facilities. These individuals test the limits of public access by recording their interactions and sharing the results publicly. The session provided guidance on handling such encounters professionally and respectfully while maintaining security and adhering to First Amendment rights. Attendees were equipped with strategies to uphold the law, protect public facilities, and foster a positive public image. The presentation emphasized preparation and professionalism to transform potential confrontations into opportunities to demonstrate commitment to public service. The meeting adjourned at 2:30 p.m.

Sweetwater County held a welcome reception at the Sweetwater Events Complex for

registered WACO participants and guests.

Wednesday, September 25

Welcome

Day two started at 8:00 a.m. with the WACO General Session. The session began with the

Presentation of the Colors by the American Legion, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance

and National Anthem performed by Jordan VanAusdle from Rock Springs High School. The

Invocation was given by The Very Reverend Bill Hill, Pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Community. A local welcome was extended by Sweetwater County Commissioner Keaton

West and Rock Springs Mayor Max Mickelson. The President’s Welcome was delivered by

Diane Sanchez, Laramie County Clerk of District Court.

Speakers, Presentations, and Tours

The session began with a Financial Report presented by Tracy Fletcher, Treasurer,

followed by the Introduction of Sponsors. Remarks were then delivered by several

statewide elected officials, including Governor Mark Gordon, Secretary of State Chuck Gray, State Auditor Kristi Racines, State Treasurer Curt Meier, and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder.

Next, Dr. Peter Cressy, RADM (Ret.), Director of Executive Leadership Programs at the

George Washington Leadership Institute, gave a keynote presentation. The session

concluded at 10:45 a.m.

At 11:15 a.m., the Wyoming County Commissioners Association (WCCA) Fall Meeting

commenced with a welcome and introductions led by WCCA President Bill Novotny

(Johnson County). Following the introductions of county commissioners, the Commissioner roundtable began with WCCA Treasurer Robert Short (Converse County) giving a recap of the 2024 WCCA Congressional Tour. Next, Commissioner Jim Willox (Converse County) spoke on the Women, Infants and Children Program followed by Commissioners Natalia D. Macker (Teton County) and Novotny speaking on cheatgrass. This cheatgrass discussion was continued to Thursday.

Next, the WCCA Lightning Round took place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., featuring a

presentation on the U.S. and Wyoming economic outlook for 2024 and beyond. Troy

Hunsucker, Director of Investment Services for Wyoming CLASS, provided insights into

economic trends and projections, offering valuable information to guide planning and

decision-making.

From 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., attendees gathered for lunch, which featured a presentation

by guest speaker Charles Stewart, the Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Political

Science at MIT. Professor Stewart provided commentary on political science topics, offering attendees perspectives relevant to their roles and responsibilities.

From 1:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., county commissioners participated in a tour of Wyoming’s

trona industry. The tour highlighted the significant economic value that Wyoming’s tronadeposits have provided for over 75 years. Participants learned about the industry’s

evolution from modest beginnings to its current status as a global leader in soda ash

production, driven by innovation and investment. The tour also emphasized the

environmental sustainability of Wyoming’s trona production, recognized as the most eco-

friendly method worldwide. Attendees gained first-hand insight into the critical

contributions of trona mining and sodium-based chemical manufacturing to the state’s

economy, as well as their broader national and global impact.

The day concluded with a dinner hosted by Wyoming Machinery, followed by the WCCA

Awards Presentation. Senator Tara Nethercott and Representatives Barry Crago and Bob

Davis were honored as Legislators of the Year.

Thursday, September 26

Speakers and Presentations

The meeting began at 8:00 a.m. with the WACO General Session. Reports from the NACo

Board of Directors were presented by Washakie County Commissioner Terry Wolf and

Johnson County Commissioner Bill Novotny.

The session resumed at 8:40 a.m. with a keynote address by Amos Benjamin, a Marine

Corps veteran and advocate for mental health and traumatic brain injury awareness. His

presentation focused on the importance of addressing these critical issues and supporting affected individuals.

At 9:45 a.m., the General Session continued with organizational matters, including the

adoption of resolutions and bylaw changes, a memorial ceremony, the Nominating

Committee Report and election of officers, and presentations. The session concluded with

remarks from the newly elected president, Loretta Howieson Kallas, Uinta County Attorney.

From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the Commissioner Roundtable Discussion continued during

which commissioners continued their discussion on cheatgrass, focusing on it being

classified as an obnoxious weed. A motion to do so was made and seconded. A letter of

support was voted on and passed.

Senator Barrasso requested the WCCA's support for the Ranch Act. Commissioner Bob

Latham (Crook County) motioned to provide support, which was seconded and approved.

Following this, WCCA Executive Director Jerimiah Rieman, facilitated a legislative

discussion on two topics: 1) the Government Claims Act, which the commissioner’s

expressed opposition to, and 2) Equity Investments, for which the commissioners voiced

their support for the option to invest.

Following the roundtable, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the session on Natural Resource

Policy was held. Micah Christensen, Natural Resource Counsel for WCCA, and Triston Rice,

Natural Resource Policy Analyst for WCCA, led the discussion on the Congressional Tour,

Greater sage-grouse, Old Growth, and Bureau of Land Management Grazing.

From 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., attendees gathered for lunch, during which video messages

were presented from Wyoming’s Congressional Delegation. Senator John Barrasso, Senator Cynthia Lummis, and U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman. Each addressed the group, providing updates and insights on their work and priorities in Washington, D.C.

From 1:15 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., the session Industrial Development Transforming Wyoming

featured presentations from Wyoming Rare Inc., Enbridge, and Grid United, highlighting

their industry-leading infrastructure projects that are transforming Wyoming’s energy and

mineral sectors. These projects, including utility-scale electric transmission, solar power

and battery energy storage, and rare earth mining and processing, are contributing to the

state’s efforts to secure reliable and affordable resources. The panelists introduced their

respective companies, showcased ongoing projects in Wyoming, and discussed how their

investments are benefiting local communities economically in the long term. The session

was introduced by Cindy DeLancey with presentations from Christian Dick, Cowboy Solar

Project Manager at Enbridge and Brian Dudeck, Senior Project Manager at Grid United.

From 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the session on Industrial Siting: The Department of

Environmental Quality and Counties focused on the role of the Industrial Siting Division in

assessing the socio-economic and environmental impacts of major industrial projects in

Wyoming. The session discussed how counties are involved in permitting certain industrial projects before construction and provided an overview of Wyoming’s industrial siting process. The Department of Environmental Quality also covered impact assistance funding, helping counties better understand how to navigate the process. This session was introduced by Black Hills Energy, with a presentation by Jenny Staeben, Administrator of the Industrial Siting Division at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality.

The final session, Decrypting Prevention and Treatment Funding, took place from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and addressed the changing landscape of prevention and treatment funding for counties. Panelists shared insights into how to integrate various funding sources, including community prevention grants, gambling prevention and treatment, and opioid settlement funds, to maximize their impact on local communities. The session highlighted efforts in Sweetwater, Teton, and Laramie Counties and discussed opportunities for regionalization. This session was introduced by Cowboy Skills and featured Brittany Wardle, Community Prevention Project Director at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center; Shae Haney and Jason Lux, Prevention Specialists in Sweetwater County; and Beverly Shore, Community Prevention Coordinator for Teton County.

Adjournment

From 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., attendees participated in a Social Hour at the Sweetwater

Events Complex. Following the social hour, the WACO Banquet took place at the same

location, starting at 6:30 p.m. The event featured door prize giveaways and entertainment

provided by a DJ who hosted a game of Musical Bingo. Additionally, a 50/50 raffle was held, with all proceeds benefiting Sweetwater County’s Climb Wyoming program.