CHEYENNE, Wyo. — The Laramie County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday was marked by a gaming transfer, a financial audit, and the green-lighting of infrastructure repairs.
Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution authorizing the assignment and transfer of county approvals from Cowboy Racing LLC to Bally’s Wyoming LLC. The transfer covers live horse racing events at 1158 Road 140 in Hillsdale, as well as parimutuel wagering operations at three satellite locations in Cheyenne: 1720 Cleveland Ave., 1734 Meadowland Dr. and 714 W. 20th St.
William Edwards, representing both entities, told the board the transfer was a requirement set by the Wyoming Gaming Commission to accommodate a corporate restructuring and a new partner entering the operation.
“This is an assignment from the old to the new,” he said.
The commissioners also received a presentation regarding the county’s Fiscal Year 2025 financial and compliance report. Paul Niedermuller, a principal with the audit firm CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, presented the findings, saying the county received an unmodified opinion. He said the auditors found no material weaknesses, significant deficiencies or compliance findings regarding the county’s handling of federal funds.
Commission Chair Gunnar Malm praised the finance department and county staff for the results.
“I also want to highlight that I know up the road right now for about another 15 days, there’s folks that think that local government needs more — they don’t actually understand that we get audited regularly and that this county, for as long as I can remember, has passed our audits with zero findings,” Malm said.
“So when people talk about government and mismanagement by government of taxpayer funds, it does not occur here in Laramie County, and that is due to our Finance Department and every single employee.”
In infrastructure business, the board approved an agreement with TK Elevator Corp. for the modernization of three elevators at the Laramie County Governmental Complex. The contract, valued at $397,868.43, covers labor and materials to update equipment that Facilities Manager Jason Smallwood said is more than 30 years old. Smallwood said the project brings the elevators up to 2019 code and will be funded through Sixth-Penny sales tax revenue set aside for courthouse maintenance.
The commission also moved forward with administrative changes to the county fair. The board voted to give public notice of its intent to adopt new Laramie County Fair rules. County Attorney Mark Voss explained the new rules are necessary as the county Events Department takes over administrative duties previously managed by 4-H, such as the livestock sale. The vote starts a public comment period of at least 45 days before a final hearing and adoption occur.
Two items on the agenda were postponed until the March 3 meeting. A modification to a contract with Stasis Design PC regarding the new Archer storage building and horse barns was delayed to allow the county attorney to separate a time extension from a monetary change order. A catering permit request for a March event by Hell on Wheels Package Liquors was postponed to correct a discrepancy in the dates.
The board approved a separate catering permit for Hell on Wheels Package Liquors for an event at the Archer Complex on Feb. 27.
In personnel matters, the commissioners appointed Aaron Veldheer to the Laramie County Adult Community Corrections Board. Veldheer, the Chief Deputy of the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office, will complete a term expiring Dec. 31, 2026.
The agenda with links to supporting documents is attached below.