MEEKER | Tuesday’s meeting of Eastern Rio Blanco Metropolitan (ERBM) Recreation and Park District was a busy one. After regular business, outgoing directors Zach Clatterbaugh, Drew Varland and Kris Arcolesse were honored for their many years of service.
CAITLIN WALKER PHOTO
Newly elected members were then sworn in and officers were elected. Director Kent Walter was appointed president, director Travis Mobley was appointed vice president, and new directors Rob Baughman and John Strate were appointed secretary and treasurer, respectively.
Superintendent of Meeker schools Chris Selle then gave a short presentation on the master plan for replacing aging infrastructure, offering to answer any questions and accept feedback.
Following, the newly minted board went into their first executive session, coming out with an updated resolution to their policy for request for public record with changes to paragraphs two and eight.
Next up, the board approved a resolution to create a programming committee and appointed new director Dan Chinn. He will meet with staff on a regular basis to discuss current programming and obtain feedback.
Finishing up new business, directors Strate and Walter were appointed to the investment committee and director Baughman to the safety and wellness committee.
The conversation then segued into approval of the 2018 Employee Compensation Analysis. Director Walter stated he would recuse himself from the decision as his spouse is an employee of the district, but presented concerns that increases to pay ranges would cause budget trouble looking at the “big picture.” After discussion, the board tabled the issue and moved on to discussing changes to the employee benefits package. Executive Director Sean VonRoenn and Human Resources Administrator Cathy Kiser laid out several options. The board decided to accept their recommended plan, which will require a “buy in” for dependents. The chosen plan has potential cost savings of more than $150,000.
Then it was back to the compensation analysis decision. The board ultimately decided to raise the minimum to proposed 2018 rates but leave the maximum amount alone. “We are doing what we can to keep our costs down but we’re trying to be competitive,” Walter said.
The next meeting is scheduled for June 19.
