County

2012 budget presented

RBC I The 2012 budget for Rio Blanco County was presented to commissioners Monday by budget/finance director Chris Singleton.
“It’s in balance as defined by Colorado law and it will be posted on our website (www.co.rio-blanco.co.us/) by the end of the day,” Singleton told the commissioners.
“It’s a big job to get to this point,” chairman Kai Turner said after thanking Singleton for her work. “We have more work to do but this is a good place to be.
According to the “Profile of Rio Blanco County,” included in the 2012 proposed budget, the county’s assessed value increased approximately 15.5 percent during 2011.
Rio Blanco County’s total assessed value in 2010 was more than $1.128 billion and the assessed value for 2011 is $1.303 billion.
The proposed budget projects revenues at $46.9 million, which included $13.44 million in aviation grants for a runway reconstruction project at the Meeker airport. The total cost of the runway project is $15.75 million, of which the Federal Aviation Administration will cover 95 percent of the cost and the state of Colorado will cover 2.5 percent. Rio Blanco County expects to contribute a total of $863,000 in matching funds toward the project.
The following is per the most recent abstract (2010 assessed values for taxes collected in 2011):

Sources of property tax:
Oil and Gas    51 percent
Industrial    28 percent
Natural Resources    3 percent
Commercial     3 percent
Agricultural    1 percent
Residential     4 percent
Vacant Land    1 percent
Public Utilities    10 percent

Distribution of property tax:
County    21 percent
Towns    1 percent
(Meeker and Rangely)
K-12 School Districts    22 percent
College    5 percent
Special Districts    51 percent

According to the profile, “The energy industry is the major driver of the county’s economy. Oil and gas has been 70 percent of the total assessed value historically. Recently, the share of oil and gas has decreased while industrial has increased. Together they currently comprise 82 percent of total assessed value.”
Turner said the commissioners asked for a “flat budget” with no cost-of-living allocations and would begin holding work sessions with every department to “scrutinize” the proposed budget with department heads.
Singleton said now is the time for commissioners, departments and the community to review the budget, which is scheduled to be adopted Dec. 12, 2011, in a meeting at 6 p.m.
In other news, the county is abuzz with the letters O-H-V, which stand for off-highway vehicle. Commissioner Ken Parsons said he met with the Rangely Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) group to work on maps to pass around the community for trail suggestions and the group will meet again at the end of this week.
Commissioners Turner and Shawn Bolton have also attended OHV meetings, reporting progress.
The first organizational meeting for OHV enthusiasts will be held at Kilowatt Korner, Oct. 19 in Meeker at 7 p.m.

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Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
1 day ago
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
1 day ago
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Read part three of the story of M.T. Streeter in this week’s edition of History Lessons! Find it in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
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View on Instagram |
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
4 days ago
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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