Custer County commissioners voted unanimously June 24 to terminate Landfill Director Brian Lockhart effective immediately, then directed staff to post the position and secure interim coverage the same day.
County Administrator Bob Vogelsang said he would contact Rusty Christensen — a former road supervisor already working for the county on a contract basis — to serve as interim landfill director on a full-time basis until a permanent replacement is hired. The board approved a two-week posting period for the permanent position.
The termination followed an executive session on landfill supervision and management. Commissioners offered no public comment on the reasons for the dismissal beyond noting it was “based on facts.”
**New OEM Director Named**
In the same June 24 meeting, commissioners unanimously hired Eric Sillitone as the county’s new Office of Emergency Management Director at a starting salary of $70,000 annually. The board set the pay after learning the previous OEM director had earned approximately $75,000. The approved salary range for the position runs from $65,187 to $94,494.
Commissioners described Sillitone as a military veteran, helicopter pilot and VFW leader with extensive risk management and fire mitigation experience. The board interviewed four candidates the previous day.
“He has the excitement and the energy to take it and run with it,” one commissioner said.
Sillitone told Vogelsang he needed time to discuss a start date with his family.
**Grader Sold for $50K Cash Plus Road Base**
At its June 17 meeting, the board approved Resolution 26-31, authorizing the sale of a 2008 John Deere 872D motor grader to Ed Lyons of Mountain Valley Excavating LLC. Lyons bid $50,000 cash plus $20,000 in road base — equivalent to approximately 1,818 tons at current pricing.
The grader had been advertised for bids in the Wet Mountain Tribune.
**Camera System Upgrade Approved**
Also at the June 17 meeting, commissioners approved up to $21,000 to replace the county’s failed camera server. IT Director John Bates told the board the existing server had completely failed and was no longer recording. The new system, quoted at $17,500 from PDSIT plus per-camera licensing fees of $99 to $113 per camera, would serve 25 cameras across the courthouse, sheriff’s office and Wetmore ballot box location, with capacity to expand to road and bridge facilities and the airport.
Bates said the equipment should last 10 to 20 years.
**Public Health Adds Three Positions**
The board approved three new public health positions June 17, all grant-funded. Public Health Director Sarah Gross received approval to hire a full-time Community Programs Lead at $35,000 to $45,000, a part-time EPR and Environmental Coordinator at $21 to $31 per hour, and a part-time Maternal Child Health Nurse contingent on receipt of a Rural Health Funding Grant.
Gross also received board approval to accept an $80,000 Impact Behavioral Health Grant focused on perinatal and postnatal mental health services. The board separately voted to pursue collaboration with the Custer County Hospital District on a larger federal rural health funding opportunity that could potentially reach $5.3 million over five years.
**Employee Handbook Updated**
Commissioners approved Resolution 26-32 June 17, adopting revisions to the county employee handbook covering domestic abuse leave, employee discipline, grievance procedures, equal employment opportunity, sexual harassment policy, military leave, performance management, pregnancy accommodation and separation of employment procedures.
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