Commissioners Approve 2022 Budget

Rio Blanco County commissioners issued final approval for the 2022 budget Tuesday evening after months of deliberation, meetings with staff, community members and elected officials. The full budget as-approved in its entirety is available at https://www.rbc.us/160/Budget-Finance. Additional information on all local government budgets is detailed in previous reporting at https://www.theheraldtimes.com/?s=budget

Commissioners also approved the 2021 supplemental budget denoting expenditures and revenues not budgeted for in the 2021 budget, including:

• $18K for a Fairfield Center replacement boiler
• $36K for “Ag event stimulus,” grant funding which will go towards the county fair in 2022.
• $150K to the attorney’s office for “DAA testimony and DAA expert witness costs”
• additional attorney funding for the “hostile workplace investigation” earlier this year (amount not noted)
• additional attorney funding for the “clerk and recorder for attorney fees” (amount not noted)
• $29.5K towards an RMS/CAD software upgrade for the Sheriff’s office

Food assistance program funding also increased more than $1 million from about $850K budgeted in 2021. Budget and Finance Director Janae Stanworth said that the same budget increased in 2020 due to the pandemic, and then stayed high. She added that food assistance dollars, funded via outside grants, are not actually part of the county’s cash flow, but still have to be noted in the budget depending on how much assistance the community uses.

JAIL CLOSURE COMMENTS

Meeker residents Carol Parr and Sharon Day commented prior to final budget approval Tuesday to express concerns about the closure of the Justice Center.

“My perception is we are looking at money over safety, for our community and our law enforcement officers,” said Parr, referencing how law enforcement will sometimes have to transport prisoners to Moffat County late at night on potentially hazardous roads. She also spoke about fears of prisoners being released into the community because Moffat County jail is full. RBC Sheriff Anthony Mazzola explained that certain crimes, such as domestic abuse, mean mandatory imprisonment. Other crimes an officer might normally put someone in jail for, like failing to show up to court after a speeding ticket may be summonsed and released as-needed when Moffat County’s holding cells are full. Mazzola said legislative changes, including “handing out PR [personal recognisance] bonds like candy” have also tied law enforcement’s hands when it comes to releasing certain individuals. Parr also asked about the cost of new vehicles.

Fleet Manager Dave Overton explained the replacement cycle for everything from small vehicles all the way to motor graders. Generally speaking, the county replaces vehicles/machinery on a set schedule and has for some time. In addition to preserving trade-in value for cars and trucks, purchasing larger machinery on a set schedule offers the advantage of government-backed insurance/warranties. According to Overton, the county even makes money on rotating/replacing certain equipment thanks to the way the cycle functions.

Former Meeker Town Administrator Sharon Day had concerns about the budget and Board of Commissioners in general. Among other items, she suggested that Federal Mineral Lease, PILT and severance tax allocations should be included in the normal budget, to make it more complete/easier to understand.

Commissioner Jeff Rector, who has attended five (about half) of this year’s budget meetings, and Chairman Gary Moyer responded to Day by highlighting the fact that community members, including Day, hadn’t attended “a single budget meeting.” Both commissioners also noted frustration over last-minute critiques of the budget. “We’ve spent hours trying to figure this out,” noted Rector, who, responding to a specific inquiry from Day, also pointed out his and other board members’ decision to turn down a $9K/year pay raise last year to help balance the budget.

“This is why people don’t come, because if you come, you’re attacked,” said Day. “You guys are all public servants, and you serve the public, but it doesn’t feel that way anymore.” Click here to listen to her comments.

Moyer responded, “I’m sorry you feel that way,” and said the county attorney often comments about RBC having “the most transparent board I’ve ever worked for.”

PUBLIC HEALTH

RBC Public Health director Alice Harvey shared a brief monthly update with the board of commissioners during work sessions. COVID vaccination rates in the county sit at about 45% and are “not really budging” though demand for booster shots is keeping the department busy. She noted the county’s low vaccination rate is likely a big reason why RBC has high rates of disease/hospitalization compared to the surrounding region.

Governor Jared Polis recently said he no longer supports statewide mask mandates since vaccination rates are relatively high in the general population. Harvey says in response, public health conversations are mostly focused on protecting hospital capacity and monitoring outbreaks/spread of COVID.

RBC Public Health continues to offer drive-through vaccination clinics on both sides of the county. The clinics are set to continue for now, though Harvey said the department will eventually transition to designated days for walk-in appointments.

SAGE GROUSE

RBC Natural Resources/Emergency Manager Eddie Smercina sought guidance from the board about a federal reevaluation on the status of wild sage grouse. Smercina said the Biden administration is putting together a national team to take another look at the status of the endangered bird, which he said has a population trend “below the 25th percentile.”

Smercina, the Board, and Conservation District Executive Director Callie Hendrickson all expressed concerns about RBC not having a voice in the process, which will incorporate 11 states. The board hopes to submit comments for the scoping process advocating for the evaluation to take place state-by-state. Scoping, which concludes on Feb. 22 could potentially impact oil and gas activity, which is why Hendrickson also suggested advocating for “multiple use” of federal lands.

Smercina, the Board, and Conservation District Executive Director Callie Hendrickson all expressed concerns about RBC not having a voice in the process, which will incorporate 11 states. The board hopes to submit comments for the scoping process advocating for the evaluation to take place state-by-state. Scoping, which concludes on February 22 could potentially impact oil and gas activity, which is why Hendrickson also suggested advocating for “multiple use” of federal lands.