Official abstains from vote

A county voucher approved to pay a company owned and operated by a Sweetwater County Commissioner illustrates how a politician’s personal business can get involved with the politician’s public office.

Last week, the commissioners voted to approve a voucher submitted by Alpha Petroleum, a company owned and operated by Commissioner John Kolb, for $967.83.

The voucher was approved with a 4-0 vote, with Kolb abstaining. Kolb’s company specializes in petroleum contracting work.

According to Gene Legerski, public works director for the county, the work involved the replacement of an inspection hatch on a county-owned fuel tank. Legerski said the county had to replace one hatch and ordered two additional hatches as only nine existed within the United States at the time. Kolb was involved in the installation of the fuel tanks at the Sweetwater County Road and Bridge Department building at Blairtown in 1984.

“I’ve been installing and doing this for 35 years,” Kolb said.

With public officials, whenever a business they or a family member is involved with would benefit from a decision the governing body they serve on makes, they must abstain from voting on that decision to avoid the conflict of interest. In regards to the city of Green River, Councilman Gary Killpack has recused himself from discussion and votes involving New Peak Construction, a company founded by his sons Jared and Joe Killpack. New Peak Construction is the contractor involved with building homes on Tract A of the old Lincoln High School property and, more recently, has shown interest in the two other tracts of land.

In Kolb’s case, he said much of the work he does is highly specialized. He said four other people within the state can perform the work he does, but he is the only person in Southwest Wyoming with the qualifications.

“We’re all kind of strung out by about 200 miles between service providers,” Kolb said during the March 7 commissioners’ meeting.

According to data retrieved from the Sweetwater County Clerk’s Office, Kolb has been paid by the county for various projects throughout his two terms as a county commissioner. Since 2011, his company has collected $53,469.23 for various projects. Kolb said he abstains from all votes involving Alpha Petroleum, a claim backed up by both Sweetwater County Clerk Dale Davis and Sweetwater County Treasurer Robb Slaughter.

Davis said Kolb has always recused himself from those votes, while Slaughter said Kolb has never attempted to downplay his role at Alpha Petroleum.

“He’s always been very open about (Alpha Petroleum,)” Slaughter said.

Kolb said he enjoys serving as a county commissioner, but admits it is a “part-time job with part-time pay.”

“I still provide for my family and I enjoy what I do here, but there are times I do work for the county,” Kolb said.