EVANSTON — The Dec. 19 Uinta County Commission meeting had a full agenda and a packed room of attendees. 

Uinta County Clerk Amanda Hutchinson had several annual housekeeping items to run by the commissioners. Hutchinson requested approval for the continuance of employee payroll direct deposit, and for the 75-cent surcharge for E-911 calls, both cell and landline.

Hutchinson suggested that the Uinta County Herald be officially designated as the county’s media for all legal notices.

She asked that the 2024 IRS mileage reimbursement rate be applied for personal vehicles used for county business, while noting that the use of a county vehicle from the pool is more cost efficient.

Lastly, Hutchinson requested the removal of a county provision requiring employees to reside within Uinta County within 90 days of their appointment. Commissioners Brent Hatch and Eric South both noted an employee shortage, presuming many of those people end up working out of state or outside the county instead. The commissioners approved all of Hutchinson’s requests.

Carl Larson, a rancher from Lyman, requested the commissioners’ endorsement of a letter he’s written to Erik Gerding with the Security Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding his disapproval of listing Natural Asset Companies (NACs) to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), stating that “NACS are a direct threat to oil and gas production, mineral development and the farming and ranching communities.”

Larson’s letter cited the creation of NACs as a further strategy in Pres. Biden’s efforts to protect public lands via his 30 X 30 policy.

“We request the proposed rule providing for Natural Asset Companies be canceled and no such rule be allowed which would promote the NAC concept,” the letter concludes.

“It’s amazing to see how they continue to sneak things under the rug,” Hatch said.

South initially recommended support of Larson’s letter, and the rest of the commissioners complied.

Saralee Gross, with Uinta County Road and Bridge, requested the approval of a diminished Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant. Gross explained the disbursement of $214,848 for cement, with a county match of $42,970.

The funds are allocated for use in 2025 and are significantly less than amounts received previously. For example, this year saw improvement for 126 miles of road; the new funds will only cover 58 miles. She explained that they had to readjust their funding requests for qualifying roads that cater to heavy industry or tourism. The commissioners approved the CMAQ grant funding.

Uinta County Road and Bridge Foreman Dustin Henstra appealed to the commissioners for a lease contract renewal with AJ Barker’s gravel pit. Henstra pointed out that it’s the same contract it’s been for the past five years.

“If it stays the same, I don’t have a problem with it,” said Barker from the audience. The motion was passed.

Uinta County Sheriff Andy Kopp proposed a lease agreement between the county and Motorola Solutions for new law enforcement hardware and software. Kopp mentioned acquiring G Tech laptops, digitickets, officer GPS, and other all-inclusive resources to seamlessly share evidence between his office and the county attorney’s office.

The new contract would cost $95,000 per year for five years. A data plan would cost $7,500 per year, and $200-$400 for initial installation. The county would have a $29,000 credit, and the first payment, due in February, would be $31,000.

Commissioner Hatch asked if training would be included. Kopp confirmed that it would. Commission Chair Mark Anderson stated that the Spillman Records maintenance costs would drop substantially, indicating that additional upfront fees would eventually even out.

Anderson further asked Kopp if it was true that we’re one of the last local communities to adopt this technology, and Kopp verified that is the case.

“It will be a huge asset to the agency,” he concluded. The commissioners agreed and approved the request.

Uinta County Attorney Loretta Howieson Kallas requested special prosecution designation for attorney Clayton Melinkovich of Sublette County, who has reached out to assist an overwhelmed Uinta County, in particular for a recent case.

Hatch acknowledged Wyoming incentives geared toward drawing more attorneys to the state. Kallas further described the region as a “representation desert,” with approximately 1-1.5 attorneys per one thousand people.

She also said she doesn’t believe that the rural initiatives will recruit new lawyers; she was inclined to accept the help offered to her by Melinkovich. The commissioners approved the motion.

Uinta County Planner Kent Williams discussed the proposed reconfiguration of a residentially-zoned lot in the Hysell Subdivision. A portion of the lot will be divided into two, and a second home will be built on one of the newly-established lots. Neighbors expressed concern about cattle access, questioning the grazing accessibility through the main thoroughfare.

After discussion amongst the commissioners and concerned parties, chief land surveyor Eric Wall with Uinta Surveying further explained what the new configuration would look like, and the commissioners approved the request.

Uinta County resident Joe Webb voiced concerns about the recently-passed Resolution 23-41 which states “that effective January 1, 2024 no person should assemble, protest, congregate or petition within the interior of the Uinta County Courthouse, otherwise known as the Uinta County Complex.” 

Webb questioned how far the resolution would be taken and mandated, posing such questions as whether a person wearing a T-shirt with an unpopular slogan or message would be escorted out of the building. He wondered about flyers and what would be allowed to be promoted going forward.

“Where is the limit — where it starts and where it stops?” he asked. He clarified that he understood the need for safety, and to protect county business offices from disruption, but “that should be taken care of by state law, not the resolution. No protesting? That’s what I’m doing right now.”

Webb was voicing his support of Chris Hopkin, who has had an information table set up at the courthouse for the past couple of months attempting to draw signees to a petition supporting a ballot initiative — introduced by former gubernatorial candidate Brent Bien — to lower property taxes by 50%.

Jared Houghton echoed many of Webb’s concerns, stating that the commissioner chambers are “not an open forum,” and that he felt that “the legislature is failing them.”

Houghton further accused county courthouse employees of “petty shenanigans,” insinuating that a certain county employee had created a prank at Hopkin’s expense with the use of an inflatable prop and disparaging sign. 

Houghton contended that Hopkin has never been a disruption at the courthouse and should be allowed to remain. He also asserted that Uinta County Assessor Lori Perkins should resign.

The commissioners deferred to Kallas’ legal expertise regarding the outlines of the resolution. She explained that the United States Supreme Court designated county courthouses a non-public forum.

“A non-public forum is a public property that is not by tradition or designation a forum for public communication,” Kallas said.

Citing a couple of different national cases, Kallas further clarified that “nothing in the Constitution requires the government to freely grant access to all who wish to exercise their right to free speech on every type of government property without regard to the nature of the property or to the disruption that might be caused by the speaker’s activities.”

“Special access to one person allows it to everyone,” she continued, as she voiced a number of concerns over recent years, including the recent posting of Nazi-related paraphernalia on courthouse grounds.

In a follow-up interview with Kallas, she told the Herald that “events [at the courthouse] over the past few years that have led to concern that the general public may not view the sanctity and security of the courthouse as a nonpublic forum, including posting of signs containing swastikas; petitions for various purposes and other assemblies. In order to facilitate the security, smooth operation and sanctity of the Uinta County Courthouse, as well as the governmental administrative offices that are  present therein, the Board of County Commissioners by and for Uinta County issued the resolution to ensure that it fairly and equally applies to all citizens, regardless of religious, political or other affiliation.”

Hopkin’s supporters continued to wait their turn to speak at the podium.

Gilbert Olson said, “If this is the only place we can come and protest, I protest the removal of Mr. Hopkin. There needs to be a place to disagree. There is something not right going on here, and this is the only place I can say that.”

Jeanne Zappia explained that as a retiree on a fixed income, she sought the professional advice of a friend in real estate to understand why her property taxes were rising so quickly in recent years. She said she’s been engaged in a “battle” for two years with Perkins over her tax bill, which she said is 20% higher than fair market comparable properties.

She said that she, too, is disheartened that Hopkin will no longer be allowed to canvass within the walls of the courthouse.

“We’re sitting there quietly; the citizens of Uinta County are pissed off that taxes have increased 67%. Something’s gotta be done. This is a government by the people, for the people. We are done.”

David Bennett said, “I think it’s poor timing, [you] should have done this years ago,” in regards to the passing of the resolution. “In Wyoming, as a conservative, I didn’t think I’d have to worry about property taxes. Taxation without representation...” he said before mentioning the Revolutionary War.

“We count as public officials,” he said, identifying himself as an elected member of the local school board.

“As a citizen, I didn’t feel there was a discussion or a choice,” said Evanston resident and local pastor Jonathan Lange. “You had to do what you did — I hope you can sense how Uinta County people must feel, and what can be done to repair the reputation and relationship with the commissioners. Be sensitive going forward and looking backward.”

Commissioner Anderson first thanked everyone for attending. He reiterated that passing the building resolution wasn’t directed at one individual’s cause, but rather a series of events. He also expressed that he understands frustration “as a taxpayer myself, to ease the burdens on our citizens.” Ultimately, Anderson supported and signed the resolution to protect “the sanctity of this building.”

Commissioners Hatch and South each also expressed gratitude to attendees, while Hatch maintained that “protecting the building is important.”

South concluded by saying, “I don’t like to pay more taxes than I already do.”

He then agreed that the resolution comes a bit late.

“It should have been done sooner — that’s a fact,” South said.