Local Residents Call for New Weed Management Plan

Warren Phelps didn’t waste any time with niceties. He pointedly said the county likewise shouldn’t waste money in its noxious weed management.

Cheyenne County contracts it's noxious weed control to Cris Burks, C-Weed Management LLC. The problem, according to Phelps, is her time is shared with three other counties.

“Our current weed superintendent is inadequate,” he said. “I don’t think there’s any way she can do four counties.”

He cited examples of Canada Thistle not treated until it went to seed.

“It doesn’t do any good to spray after it has gone to seed,” he said.

The area in question is generally south and east of Lorenzo, according to the commissioners.

Commissioner Philip Sanders said he is aware improvement is needed, but conditions in his area are much better than they were.

“It was bad out north, but I’ve seen improvement,” Sanders said. “My biggest problem has been the CRP.”

Phelps said the program should be open to bids, or a county employee should be appointed. Sanders said he isn’t sure a county employee could manage all of the noxious weeds singlehandedly.

“I kept my mouth shut all summer. I watched to see what got done,” Phelps said. “It just wasn’t enough. We’re paying $53,000 per year for inadequate service.”

Sanders encouraged anyone with a concern of noxious weed control to contact Burks directly.

The commissioners also approved a Standard Appraisal Contract. County Assessor Sybil Prosser said the contract is to review all commercial properties. Prosser said she trusts the appraiser because he is a former state appraiser. She said in the past a commercial property was appraised verbally with an official asking if the building had changed instead of viewing the building.

“We’re just limiting your liability to an audit,” Prosser said.

The agreement is to appraise 526 parcels for a total cost of $110,460, to be billed in two cycles.

“It’s not cheap, but I’m not sure we have a choice,” Sanders said.

The commissioners also reviewed road projects, including approval of new stop signs and “stop ahead” signs east and west at the intersection of County Roads 44 and 89. The “Stop Ahead” signs will be located about 400 feet ahead of the stop signs.