WHEATLAND –  The Platte County Commissioners met last week, April 18 and heard a proposal from Todd Rau of T and C Landscape Dirt Works for landscaping for the Platte County courthouse which has been undergoing a full renovation for the past 18 months.

According to Rau in a letter of proposal, he stated that his proposal would be to make the courthouse as beautiful outside as it is inside with a remodeling of the overall landscape.

Some of the things that were proposed to the commissioners were to regrade the entire landscape area and remove excess soil and sod, reusing if possible to build up in areas where buildup is needed, cut a slope back on the northeast corner and add in a boulder staggered retaining wall. They would install a new sprinkler system with a timer and a drip system to accommodate new bedding and planting areas.

They further proposed to bring in soil to build subtle elevations throughout the bedding areas to mimic a part-type setting. They would then strategically bury and set boulders and native type colorful plant material throughout the bedding areas.

There would be a commercial grade weed barrier added which would be covered with multi-sized rock in a landscaping pattern. In the southwest corner, Rau’s company would like to donate landscaping material and installation for natural pondless water feature complete with nighttime lighting.

The board is reviewing the proposal and will respond to Rau after full consideration.

Doug Dumont, County Planner, presented two building certificates for review. After the Board reviewed they approved building certificates for Ryan & Luminita Pacheco and Michael & Megan Gipfert.

In the maintenance department, it was brought to the attention of the board that a worker was found to fill a vacant position within the department.

Wyoming Child & Family Development coordinator Kathy Nelson, who is also the area coordinator, asked the board to consider a $5,000 budget plus a property tax waiver for the coming fiscal year.

In a proposal drafted by Danielle Wondercheck, the Wyoming Child and Family Development Executive Director the request for $5,000 was primarily for the child care centers in Wheatland and Guernsey to provide preschool education, special education, speech and language therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy and other services to meet the individual needs of the students.

The letter explained that the WCFD screens approximately 200 children annually, referring 40 of those each year. They are also providing early intervention services to 59 children.

“From a cost-effective standpoint, early intervention reduces the need for special education or institutionalization in later years,” Wondercheck said. “Also, early childhood programs have the added flexibility of working directly with families, which reinforces the parent’s role as a primary educator.”

Platte County Economic Development Executive Director, Tracy de Ryk then came to the board and presented a $3,200 budget request to the Board for the coming fiscal year. de Ryk said that the investment of having the Platte County Commissioners as members of the Platte County Economic Development group would be an investment in their own community and would yield high returns as new families began to move in, find housing and become a financial part of the community.

Services for Seniors Executive Director, Carolyn Teter then came and informed the Board about the relationship between Services for Seniors, the Senior Citizen Service District Board and the Housing Authority Board. The Board of Commissioners asked Teter to work with the Housing Authority Board and Senior Citizen Service District Board to ensure the Housing Authority Board remain solvent.

“I was asked to meet with the Commissioners to give more information about our (Services for Seniors) working relationship with the Platte Co. Housing Authority,” Teter said.  “So, I explained that I am the chairman of the Housing Authority Board, and the Director of Services for Seniors, and we work together under a Memorandum of Understanding, as Services for Seniors owns our building, but we sit on Housing Authority property.  Services for Seniors pays $150.00 a month for parking lot maintenance, since the lot is used daily by our seniors coming in for the noon congregate meal.”

Malcolm Ervin then presented the health insurance renewal information from WEBT, which shows an increase of 13.5% in premiums. It was moved, seconded and approved to renew health insurance with WEBT and offer three deductible options, one being a high deductible health plan, and the county contributing 40% of savings for high deductible health plans to a Health Savings Account (HSA).