CASPER, Wyo. — The Natrona County Board of Commissioners designated its leadership via straw poll for the upcoming year Tuesday, selecting Commissioner Jim Milne to serve as the next chair and Commissioner Casey Coates as vice chair.
Chair Dave North announced the results of the straw poll conducted by the board during an executive session Tuesday. During commissioner comments, Commissioner Dallas Laird expressed support for the selection, citing Milne’s seniority on the board and describing Coates as a bright young mind.
Before the meeting’s end, Milne formally resigned his position on the Natrona County Parks Board, effective immediately. He told the public he was heeding legal advice and recommendations regarding his role on the board.
“Especially with the nomination for chairman, I think it’s best that I step down from that position,” Milne said, adding he would submit a formal letter following his verbal resignation.
Milne’s departure followed a similar move by Commissioner Peter Nicolaysen, who announced earlier in the meeting that he had resigned as a trustee from the parks board that afternoon. Nicolaysen argued that having county commissioners serve on the statutory parks board creates potential conflicts of interest and urged other members to resign immediately.
Milne said the parks board would need to replace at least two members shortly but expressed hope that a quorum remained to allow the board to continue its functions.
North then announced that the commissioners are accepting applications for the parks board and intends to conduct interviews to fill the vacancies as soon as possible.
