THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS
CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Board of Commissioners authorized multiple contracts for juvenile court-appointed attorneys Tuesday while addressing millions in deferred fairgrounds maintenance and a surge in involuntary mental health cases.
Commissioners unanimously approved their consent agenda, greenlighting a $1.93 million bid award for work on the Squaw Creek Road project. There were seven submitted bids, with Buffalo-based Barnum Inc. coming in as the low bidder, per county documents.
The consent agenda’s approval also finalized the county’s 2026 Wildland Fire Management Operating Plan and set in place multiple agreements for the local child support enforcement program. Commissioners also approved six professional services contracts for juvenile court-appointed attorneys handling abuse and neglect cases, granted a waterline license on Squaw Creek Road, and appointed Stephanie Whitfield to the Amoco Reuse Agreement Joint Powers Board for a term ending in 2028.
During their work session, the commissioners received a stark update from County Attorney Ashley Smith, who outlined an unusually heavy workload for the county’s legal team driven by rising involuntary mental health hospitalizations, known as Title 25s.
Smith reported her office had handled 50 Title 25 hearings in just the first three weeks of the month, sometimes juggling up to eight in a day.
“These last three weeks have been rough, very rough,” Smith told the board, adding that the crush of cases is causing burnout among veteran attorneys.
She pointed to a need for legislative changes, specifically regarding juvenile cases, which she said the current statutes don’t adequately address. She added the county has posted an opening for a deputy attorney to help shoulder the load, and suggested potentially contracting their services out to neighboring counties once her office is fully staffed.
The meeting packet, with links to supporting documents, is attached below:
