CHEYENNE, Wyo. — In this edition of “Meet the Candidates,” Larry Milbourn shares with Cap City News how he envisions governing Laramie County if elected as a county commissioner. Milbourn is one of seven people running for commissioner.
The following are responses that Milbourn shared with Cap City News. To view the Q&As of other candidates who have also submitted answers to us, click here.
What are your strategies for promoting economic development and job creation in Laramie County?
I would work closely with Cheyenne-Laramie County Leads organization and the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce to attract economic development opportunities that create jobs in Laramie County. Taking into consideration that tourism is the number-two industry in the state of Wyoming and is the number-one employer in the state, I would also like to attract year-round tourism-focused businesses, companies and industries to Laramie County. We would likewise need a well-trained workforce for these types of businesses and events, I would turn to the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services and Laramie County Community College for their assistance in the many career training programs they offer to align the workforce with the industry.
How do you plan to improve and maintain essential county services and infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, and public safety?
When it comes to pressing infrastructure needs in the county, I feel our roads and our bridges are the subject of most concern to the citizens of Laramie County and myself. They are the crucial element in getting residents from point A to point B as well as allowing our first responders quick and safe access to our residents, With the shortage of skilled equipment operators nationally that we are experiencing, we need to actively recruit, train and then retain qualified equipment operator positions. We will likewise have to responsibly manage county wide growth to ensure adequate first responder and law enforcement resources are in place to handle the needs of our current population as well as the future projected upturn in population in Laramie County.
What is your approach to managing the county’s budget and ensuring fiscal responsibility while meeting the needs of the community?
Historically speaking, I believe that Laramie County’s leadership has done well in ensuring the county is financially well positioned by being wise stewards and fiscally responsible with taxpayer funds. I especially appreciate that the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Fund Balance Policy that sets aside monies and lays out the guidelines of how these funds may be spent and replenished. This eases the burden on ensuring the needs of our community are met, even in times of economic downturn and increasing growth within our county. Therefore, I would continue preserving this budget strategy and utilize the reserve held within to help meet the needs of every citizen in our great county.
How will you address land use planning and environmental sustainability to balance growth with conservation in Laramie County?
Laramie County Commissioners play a significant role in land use regulation. They appoint members of our community to the Planning Commission who are responsible for ensuring that land use and development proposals comply with the Laramie County Land Use Regulations. This commission meets regularly, as well as holds public hearings pertaining to any changes to the land use regulations and zoning changes that may occur. They also review subdivision applications that may be presented. The Planning Commission collaborates with the residents of Laramie County and the Planning Department staff to bring forth permissible recommendations for official action by the County Commissioners. I feel we need and I will as commissioner, carefully manage Laramie County’s growth by being proactive and not reactive when it comes to environmental sustainability, especially when it comes to water management and aquifer conservation.
How do you intend to engage with the community and ensure transparency in the decision-making process of the County Commission?
I will be approachable as well as accessible to the residents of our county. My philosophy when it comes to making decisions has always been one of gathering as much information, opinions and seeking alternate solutions to develop the best outcome for any circumstances that come about. I will also actively seek their input through email, text messages and phone calls (voice mails if necessary) and get out and meet with the people that are impacted by the issues at hand.
Is there anything else you’d like voters to know about you?
I was born and raised in Laramie County. Apart from attending the University of Wyoming, I have lived here my entire life. I love being a resident of this wonderful county. I am a 6th Generation Wyomingite. My pioneer family’s roots in Laramie County run deep and go back to when Wyoming was just a territory. After serving in the Civil War, my Great, Great, Great Grandfather, General Joseph Washington Fisher was appointed by President Grant to move out to Wyoming and serve on the Supreme Court of the Territory of Wyoming, eventually becoming the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Wyoming. That’s how our family’s heritage began here in Laramie County. His son, my Grandpa’s Grandad, T. Joe Fisher, held the office of Clerk of the Court here in Laramie County and occupied this office for two separate terms. He was the Clerk of the Court during the famous Tom Horn trial and ultimately read the guilty verdict at the end of that trial. My grandfather worked for 45 years at the Union Pacific Railroad. While he was employed by the Union Pacific, the Great Blizzard of ’49 occurred. He was dispatched to a stranded train east of Cheyenne and got the boilers working, saving the people that were stranded on the train from freezing. So, as you can see, leading a life of servitude is in my blood and has come natural to me. I have honed my leadership skills while serving and volunteering on many organizations including being the president of the ARC of Laramie County for six terms. I was elected President and Vice President of the Wyoming Association of Fairs. I served on the Faculty and Staff Welfare Committee and the Educational Staff Services Council while employed at Laramie County Community College. I coached youth soccer for the Cheyenne Soccer Association for ten years. I have also been on officer teams for 4-H and FFA organizations and served on my church’s Board of Trustees to mention a few. I have been married to my longtime friend, Pam for 22 years. We have two delightful adult daughters, Cody, and Mariah, along with having two wonderful Labrador hunting dogs, Junior, and Buster. I enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, spending time with family and watching and cheering for our family’s children at their sporting events. I have had the satisfaction of working for both government and private (enterprises) throughout my employment careers. This has given me a solid knowledge of how these sectors operate. My latest career undertaking, that I have thoroughly enjoyed over the last 15 years, is working for the Laramie County Fair and the Laramie County Events Department. I have been an integral part of developing the Archer Fairgrounds and the Event Center at Archer. I have gotten to know so many people that live here in Laramie County through the several positions I have held. I am also an analytical person and would enjoy serving the residents of Laramie County as your Commissioner. I know what I can bring to the Commissioners’ table and those are; fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accessible and approachable representation for you, the residents of Laramie County. I am not one for making idle pledges, I stand behind what I promise, and I assure you that I will work hard for the residents of Laramie County. Some of the issues I will focus on if elected will be monitoring and managing the anticipated growth that our county will see in the foreseeable future. I will ensure that we do not overextend and deplete our water resources. I will also ensure that we do not overburden the infrastructure and services capable of handling such foreseen growth. Services the government provides cost money, from the repairs and maintenance of the roads we travel on down to the health and safety services we rely on when needed. This also includes quality of life amenities such as recreation, entertainment, and enjoyment. I will work hard to ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely and evenly across the county while providing the same or better level of these services. Thank You.
