Approval, with Protest

The Cheyenne County Board of Commissioners faced a decision that resulted in a vote, then a move to rescind the vote and vote a second time.

A regular meeting of the board of county commissioners became a debate over state authority versus local control when the commissioners met as the Board of Equalization May 2. At issue was two tax list corrections related to 2019 homestead exemptions.

County Assessor Melody Keller said the during the meeting of the Board of Equalization that the two Tax List Corrections regard a 2019 Homestead exemption. Keller said the State will decide regardless what the county determines. The question is if the tax correction would come from county funds or the property owner.

“I feel so much we're being forced to vote yes,” said commissioner Phil Sanders. “I just don't agree with it.”

“I agree with you, but in the end, we're shooting ourselves in the foot,” said commissioner Randy Miller.

“We can't continue to lose money,” Commission Chairman Darrell Johnson said.

The motion to accept the tax list corrections was reluctantly approved 3-0.

County Attorney's Offices Relocating

In the 1200 block of Jackson Street is an office building that just looks like an attorney's office. And it served as such as the law office of Goodwin, Sontag and Leef.

The partnership dissolved and the building sat empty, until Cheyenne County saw a use for it.

The Cheyenne County Commissioners recently approved purchasing the office building, which will be the new home of the county attorney and staff. Closing on the 1212 Jackson Street building was expected to take place May 5.

Fanny's Farmhouse Approved for Liquor License

East of Gurley is a working farm that is also an example of agri-tourism, and a coffee shop. Fanny's Fruit Farm started as a pumpkin business, and locally grown berries. By 2010, the Carter and Beth Kokjer family went from pumpkins and locally grown berries to an assortment of fruit and vegetables. The farm typically has available blackberries, black raspberries, strawberries and apples.

One of the highlights of the year is the pumpkin events as the year gets close to Halloween.

Fanny's Fruit Farm also has a coffee shop and gift shop conveniently called Fanny's Farmhouse with a variety of coffee drinks, sweets and breakfast options as well as take-home gifts.

In the commissioners, meeting Beth Kokjer, doing business as Fanny's Farmhouse, petitioned the commissioners for a liquor license. Kokjer said the license would be for catered events at the facility. She asked the commissioners if there are regulations on where alcohol can be purchased for resale. Her concern is some alcohol is sold in much larger quantities than she expects to sell.

Commissioners Meet in Executive Session

The commissioners also met in executive session in last week's meeting. The executive session was called to discuss Court House security, Personnel and Possible Litigation.