CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Board of Commissioners approved two agreements Tuesday for the funding of homeless healthcare services and a state property lease for the health department.
Commissioners unanimously approved the Administration of the Healthcare for the Homeless Program Agreement with the Community Action Partnership of Natrona County during their work session, despite the agenda stating the item was for discussion only. The agreement facilitates a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration that provides $1,913,000 annually for the healthcare clinic operated by the partnership.
Deputy County Attorney Ashley Smith presented the contract renewal, saying that while the agreement remains mostly similar to prior versions, some updates were necessary to comply with federal grant cycles and to clarify county responsibilities.
The new agreement includes a defined four-year term, a change from three-year cycles, which CAP NC Executive Director Kelley Wessels said was required under the federal Make America Healthy Act.
The updated contract clarifies that the county appoints three members to the CAP NC board and delegates authority for appointing the remaining six members to the board of directors. The agreement also now requires the appointment of a county commissioner liaison, a role that was previously informal but described by CAP NC staff as invaluable.
Commissioner Peter Nicolaysen questioned whether an automatic renewal clause should be added to prevent potential contract lapses in the future. Smith advised against that, saying HRSA requires a new agreement with a signature date that runs concurrent with each new grant cycle, making automatic renewal incompatible with federal compliance standards.
In separate action, the commission approved a real property lease between the Casper-Natrona County Health Department and the State of Wyoming. The board discussed amendments to the lease that provide greater oversight and flexibility for local officials.
Smith told the commissioners the updated lease includes a new termination clause allowing the health department to end the agreement without cause upon providing 120 days’ written notice. Previously, the contract lacked a provision allowing the county to exit the agreement if necessary.
The agreement was also modified to make sure the commissioners receive official notices regarding the lease.
Commissioners said the document presented by the state was missing a signature line for approval by the board.
Despite the matter appearing on the board’s workshop agenda as a discussion-only item, Nicolaysen moved to approve the lease with the condition that the necessary approval language be added, citing the need to finalize the document before January. The motion passed unanimously.
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