Concerns over emergency management funding surfaced during the acceptance of a grant received yearly at the Laramie County Commissioners regular board meeting on Jan. 3.

Emergency Management director Rob Cleveland explained the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security Grant Program provides the SHSGP general grant to fund operations and equipment in Laramie County. This year $168,198.12 was awarded and will go to fund the CodeRed alert system along with other equipment. Last year a portion of the grant paid for Pine Bluffs to receive a new command vehicle, and before that the county used the funds to obtain Wyolink radios.

Cleveland told commissioners this may be the last year the grant is available, because of a change in the Homeland Security funding model. Chairperson Diane Humphrey said, “Use it the best you can.”

After being questioned as to why they had no rules requiring alcohol training for servers, the commissioners are now putting new regulations in the books.

Commissioner Troy Thompson explained a public officials meeting on liquor abuse brought on the discussion of the missing rule. Thompson attended one of the classes and said it teaches when someone has had too much and how to prevent underage drinking.

New hires for serving and bar tending will be required to watch a training DVD, then attend a full class  within 90 days before working. A businesses compliance with the new regulation will affect whether or not their liquor license is renewed. Businesses must also keep a list of the employees and when their training was completed. The rule will only apply to new hires.

The regulation was introduced at a previous meeting. Since the commissioners received no comment on the rule, it passed unanimously. Thompson noted the Laramie County Liquor Association said most bars and restaurants already require the training.

Cheyenne Light Fuel and Power moved a step closer to having a new electrical substation located near an industrial zone off Happy Jack Road. The location currently is being used as a substation and the county planners saw no negative effects from approving CLF&P’s permit request, planner Abby Yenco said.

Before adjourning their meeting, the commissioners tied up a loose end from 1973. The issuance of a quit claim deed to William W. Gillespie awarded him the deed to property he had been paying taxes on since ‘73. County attorney Mark Voss explained the property was put up for bid and Gillespie was the only bidder.

“The commissioners joked he could have gotten it for 10 cents,” Voss said.

The current commissioners approved the quit claim deed unanimously.

The next meeting of the Laramie County commissioners is Tuesday, Jan. 17, at 3:30 p.m. in the historic courthouse in Cheyenne.