On the agenda: Fremont County Minutes — Data Center (Sep 1)

STATE OF WYOMING
COUNTY OF FREMONT

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LANDER, WYOMING
OFFICE OF THE FREMONT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
September 1, 2026
OFFICIAL REPORT

The Board of Fremont County Commissioners met in Regular Session at 9:00 a.m. with the following
members present: Larry Allen, Michael Jones, Clarence Thomas, Jennifer Wilson, and Ron Fabrizius. County
Clerk Julie Freese and Civil Deputy Attorney Nathan Maxon were also present.
Jennifer Wilson moved, Clarence Thomas seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
Clarence Thomas moved, Jennifer Wilson seconded, to approve the minutes from the August 25, 2026
regular meeting as presented. Motion carried unanimously.
Jennifer Wilson moved, Michael Jones seconded, to accept the bills for payment. Motion carried
unanimously.
Bills are listed in the following format: Vendor Name, Department, Description, and Amount. Ace Hardware-Lander-County
Buildings-Materials / Supplies -$129.26; Action Services LLC-Forest Reserve-Tree Maintenance-$3,500.00; Albright, HaroldPlanning-Expense Reimburse -$101.04; American Family & Life Ins.-Segregated-Insurance-$4,051.18; Anda Inc-Public HealthSupplies-$4,123.51; AT&T-Computer Services-Telephone Services-$89.08; Badura, Anya N-County Elections-Election Judge $338.40; Badura, Kara L-County Elections-Election Judge -$239.40; Baker, Savannah-Dispatch Center-Expense Reimburse$151.00; Bebout, Linda L.-County Elections-Election Judge -$347.04; Big Horn Tire Inc-Vehicle Maintenance-Vehicle Tires$3,075.10; Bloedorn Lumber-Lander-County Buildings-Materials Supplies-$316.84; Blue Cross Blue Shield Of WY-Co AdminHealth Ins Claims-$395,478.24; Broemer, Karin-County Elections-Election Judge -$183.60; Buckwalter, John M-PlanningExpense Reimburse-$90.12; Christensen, Bradley J-County Elections-Election Judge -$126.00; Circuit Court Riverton Segregated-Garnishment-$1,732.74; CNA Surety-County Treasurer-Surety Bond-$100.00; Colonial Life & Accident InsSegregated-Insurance-$174.42; Cone, Lucy A-County Elections-Election Judge-$126.00; Crump, Loriann J-County ElectionsElection Judge -$315.00; Dodge, Lanette J-County Elections-Election Judge -$189.98; Dowl LLC-Dutch Ed Lane -Reconstruction
Project-$29,188.65; Dowl LLC-Road Construction-Projects Engineering-$1,303.50; Dustbusters Enterprises LLC-Road
Construction-Supply Services-$23,158.41; Eagle Uniform & Supply Co-Vehicle Maintenance-Laundry-$50.00; East, Debra JCounty Elections-Election Judge -$252.00; Empower Trust-Segregated-Wyoming Benefits-$13,730.00; Ethos Transportation
Assistance-Health & Welfare-Title 25 -$1,439.16; Farias, Margie-County Elections-Election Judge -$63.00; Fike ConsultingComputer Services-Election Support-$2,400.00; Flohr, Mary Ellis-County Elections-Election Judge -$112.00; Frank, VikkilynCounty Elections-Election Judge-$114.44; Freedom Fire & Safety LLC-County Sheriff-Service-$204.50; Fremont Chevrolet GMCVehicle Maintenance-Parts / Repairs-$1,226.81; Fremont County Treasurer-Co Admin-Health Insurance-$373,232.00; Fremont
County Treasurer-Co Admin-Section 125 Benefits-$30,729.18; Fremont Motor Riverton Inc-Vehicle Maintenance-Parts /
Supplies-$89.98; Geotec Industrial Supply-Road Material Inventory-Supplies-$8,495.00; Glassburn, Jennifer M.-Public DefenderCourt Reports-$93.75; Graff, Gary W-County Elections-Election Judge -$101.88; Graff, Rosemary P-County Elections-Election
Judge-$163.80; Hafner, Terry M-County Elections-Election Judge -$374.40; Harper, Carol A.-County Elections-Election Judge$126.00; Hasco Industrial Supply-Vehicle Maintenance-Materials / Supplies -$75.10; Healthsmart Benefit Solutions-SegregatedInsurance-$784.00; Hinds, Paula E.-County Elections-Election Judge -$346.68; Honsaker, Mary E-County Elections-Election
Judge -$125.00; Horton, Leena M-County Elections-Election Judge -$63.00; Hudson, Celina M.-County Elections-Election Judge $63.00; Jackson Group Peterbilt Inc-Vehicle Maintenance-Parts -$50.70; JH Computer Solutions LLC - TCI-Computer ServicesRenewals / Support-$13,169.70; Johnson Controls Building Solutions-ARPA Program Grant-Supplies / Repairs-$3,679.39;
Kellner, Ruth K.-County Elections-Election Judge -$551.20; LaDuke, Kathryne M-County Elections-Election Judge -$86.04;
Lander Valley Auto Parts-County Buildings-Parts / Supplies-$11.50; Larsen, Debra L.-County Elections-Election Judge -$252.00;
Larsen, Rebecca L.-County Elections-Election Judge -$63.00; Law Office Of Coleman Griffith-Public Defender-Office Rent$600.00; Malcolm, Donna K.-County Elections-Election Judge -$252.00; Malcolm, William A-County Elections-Election Judge $315.00; Master's Touch LLC-County Treasurer-Print / Mailing Services-$16,872.21; Mathey, Richard J-County ElectionsElection Judge -$126.00; Matthew Bender & Co., Inc-County Treasurer-Government Manuals-$975.64; McAleenan, Mary ACounty Elections-Election Judge -$186.48; Millard Law Office-Public Defender-Office Rent-$600.00; Miller & Fasse P.C.-Public
Defender-Office Rent-$600.00; Miller, Margaret-District Court-Office Rent-$300.00; New York Life Insurance-SegregatedInsurance-$133.11; Nolan, Melody-County Elections-Election Judge -$952.00; Norco Inc-Segregated-Supplies -$878.40; Payrolll
Taxes-Co Admin-Withholding/FICA-$241,787.51; Peart, Margaret-County Elections-Election Judge -$446.40; Pedersen, Beverly
K-County Elections-Election Judge -$484.40; RDO Equipment Company-Vehicle Maintenance-Parts / Supplies -$452.49; Reed,
David K.-Road Construction-Contract Services-$2,465.00; Riverton Ranger The-Road Construction-Advertising-$156.00;
Riverton, City Of-County Buildings-Utility Services-$1,380.55; Rocky Mountain Boilers Inc-County Buildings-Services$3,741.40; Rogers, Peny L.-County Elections-Election Judge -$63.00; Rose, Barbara C-County Elections-Election Judge -$133.00;
Rose, Maia-County Elections-Election Judge -$203.80; Roseberry, Phyllis-County Elections-Election Judge -$189.00; Samietz,
Molly A-County Elections-Election Judge -$350.80; Sawyer, Marit S-County Elections-Election Judge -$189.00; Seeley, Janet LCounty Elections-Election Judge -$63.00; Selley, Mary B-County Elections-Election Judge-$63.00; Shaffer, Barbara-County
Elections-Election Judge -$126.00; Sissman, Rebecca J.-County Elections-Election Judge -$63.00; Skinner, Amy-County ElectionsElection Judge -$189.00; Smith, Carol L-County Elections-Election Judge -$252.00; State Disbursement Unit-Payroll-Child
Support-$4,264.56; State Of Wyoming-Public Defender-Office Rent -$1,650.00; Steidley, David E.-County Elections-Election
Judge -$252.00; Sweetwater Aire LLC-County Buildings-Repairs-$480.46; Thompson, Douglas L-County Elections-Election Judge
-$140.40; Throop, Caryn T-County Elections-Election Judge -$252.00; Total Net Salaries-Segregated-Salaries-$788,111.98; Tyler
Technologies Inc-County Clerk-Software Support-$29,281.32; Weber, Pearline-County Elections-Election Judge -$1,498.00;
Weld Pro LLC-Transportation-Repairs / Parts-$1,900.00; Wells, Margaret-Planning-Expense Reimburse-$107.16; Western

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September 1, 2026

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Printing, Inc-County Sheriff-Services-$51.00; Wetzel, Karen M-County Elections-Election Judge -$63.00; Wilson, Jennifer SCounty Elections-Election Judge -$126.00; WY Dept Of Employment-Segregated-Unemployment Claims-$0.00; Wyo Dept Of
Workforce Serv-Co Admin-Workers Comp-$24,357.05; Wyoming Machinery Co-Vehicle Maintenance-Parts -$1,221.58;
Wyoming Retirement System-Co Admin-Contributions-$210,214.78; Zirbel, Julie A-County Elections-Election Judge -$63.00.

The following items in the Signature File were reviewed. 1) Assessor’s Abatement Summary. 2) Michael
Jones moved, Jennifer Wilson seconded to approve a 24-hour Manufacturer’s Off-Premise Permit from
Pushroot Brewing Co. for the Meadowlark Harvest Dinner at the Alpine Science Institute on September 19,
2026. Motion carried unanimously. 3) Michael Jones moved, Jennifer Wilson seconded to approve
Approach Access Application 2025-033A for Lot 107 Soda Springs Drive, from Kevin Pugel. Motion carried
unanimously.
The following items in the Priority Mail were reviewed: 1) Wind River Development Fund Save the date. 2)
Public Comments, reviewed during the 11:30am Data Center Discussion. 3) Monthly Revenue Reports.
Public Comment period was held. Chairman Larry Allen requested that Data Center comments be held until
the 11:30am discussion. Frank A Welty, III requested funding from the ½% Economic Development fund
to start a new business. It was suggested he return as an agenda item at a future meeting. Pepper Ottman
and Diana Mitchell provided comments on Data Centers since they could not attend the 11:30am
discussion.
Planning Director Steve Baumann presented Lane Subdivision, Lot 6 Re-subdivision located off Spriggs
Lane. This re-subdivision will reconfigure the current lot into 4 lots ranging from 1.4 to 1.93 acres. The
project was brought before the Planning Commission. During the meeting, an adjacent landowner raised
concerns about the proposed irrigation methods for the new development. All questions and concerns
were addressed and resolved, with all parties reaching an agreement. Baumann confirmed that he
personally inspected the newly constructed road and verified it was built in compliance with county
standards. Jennifer Wilson moved and Ron Fabrizius seconded to approve the Lane Subdivision, Lot 6 Resubdivision. The motion carried unanimously.
Public Health Nurse Manager Nicole Arredondo was present for personnel and an SOC adjustment.
Arredondo requested hiring a temporary, non-benefited Public Health Nurse position to cover staff
shortages during her upcoming maternity leave. This position is crucial for conducting LT 101 assessments,
a significant revenue source for the county, especially during the high-volume months of October,
November, and December. Ron Fabrizius moved and Clarence Thomas seconded to approve a temporary
part-time position for an Assessment Nurse in the Public Health Department. The motion carried
unanimously. Arredondo requested an SOC adjustment for the Maternal Child Health Nurse. She
highlighted the employee’s significant contributions, including obtaining an Advanced Lactation
certification, which was not required for her position, and becoming a certified car seat technician. Michael
Jones moved and Jennifer Wilson seconded to approve the SOC adjustment for the part-time Maternal Child
Health Nurse position to $48,672.00 annually. The motion carried unanimously. Michael Jones moved and
Jennifer Wilson seconded to approve the grant agreement with the Wyoming Department of Health, Public
Health Division, for the Fremont County Prevention Program in the amount of $450,783.00 through June
20, 2028. The motion carried unanimously.
Deputy County Attorney Nathan Maxon presented an SOC adjustment for the Juvenile Legal Secretary
position. He explained that he reviewed staff classifications and developed a progressive scale to provide
a framework for advancement as requested at the previous meeting. Based on the employee’s performance
and experience, he requested an adjustment to $48,190 annually. Michael Jones moved, and Jennifer
Wilson seconded to approve the SOC adjustment for the Juvenile Legal Secretary annual salary to $48,190.
The motion carried unanimously. Maxon also requested approval to increase the Legal Secretary re-hire
annual salary from $41,000 to $48,190 due to the experience of the individual they wished to hire. Michael
Jones moved, and Jennifer Wilson seconded, to approve the increase for the Legal Secretary position from
$41,000 to $48,190 annually. The motion carried unanimously.
Executive Director Sage Goff presented a monthly update. Michael Jones moved, and Clarence Thomas
seconded to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Youth Services Day Reporting Center
and Fremont County School District #25 for the 2026-2027 school year. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk Julie Freese provided an update on post-primary election audit activities.

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Transportation Superintendent Billy Meeks and Kasey Jones from DOWL Engineering were present for the
Blue Hill Lateral Piping Project Bid Review. Jones reviewed the bids and identified multiple minor
inconsistencies and omissions in the submission from the low-bid PolyPRO, LLC. He noted that according
to the procurement policy, minor informalities that do not affect price may be waived. Jones clarified that
post-submission corrections are not permitted and only minor informalities may be waived. Clarence
Thomas expressed concern about the inconsistencies and omissions and recommended disqualification.
Ron Fabrizius moved, and Michael Jones seconded, to accept PolyPRO LLC's bid in the amount of
$242,915.80 for the Blue Hill Lateral Piping Project. Clarence Thomas voted nay. Motion carried.
Jennifer Wilson moved, Ron Fabrizius seconded, to go into Executive session for personnel and potential
litigation at 10:45am Motion carried unanimously. Jennifer Wilson moved, Ron Fabrizius seconded to go
out of Executive session at 11:30am. Motion carried unanimously.
The Commissioners, along with Senator Cale Case and Planning Director Steve Baumann, discussed
potential regulation of data centers in Fremont County. Twenty-six comments were emailed before the
discussion, with four presented in person. Thirteen people were present in the audience.
Treasurer Jim Anderson and Riverton Mercy House Vice-Chair Scott Komrs requested a letter of intent
from the County to serve as the pass-through agency for the Community Development Block Grant
application. This request follows a discussion on May 19, 2026. Mercy House seeks grant funding for site
remediation and demolition to prepare for new homeless service facilities. Clarence Thomas questioned
why the City of Riverton is not the pass-through agency. It was explained they can only serve as a passthrough for two grants, which are already in use. Jennifer Wilson moved, and Ron Fabrizius seconded to
approve the letter of intent. Clarence Thomas voted nay. Motion carried.
Michael Jones discussed the three-quarter cent tax and the gap between revenue and funding needed for
ambulance services, air service, and ground transportation.
There being no further business, Ron Fabrizius moved, Jennifer Wilson seconded to adjourn the Regular
Meeting at 12:45pm and reconvene for the Board of Equalization Meeting on Tuesday, September 8,
2026, at 10:00 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.
A full detailed report (informational only) and the official minutes are posted on Fremont County’s website
(www.fremontcountywy.gov). The meeting recording can also be accessed via YouTube (Fremont County,
WY Commission).
/s/

Larry Allen, Chairman
Fremont County Commissioners

ATTEST:
/s/ Julie A Freese, Fremont County Clerk and Clerk of the Board