Dates for the county fair in 2024 were set by the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners Tuesday during the regular meeting. Shooting sports events will start July 20, equine events July 26, general fair July 29-Aug. 4, and the livestock sale will be held Aug. 3, 2024.
Also approved during the regular meeting in Meeker was a renewal of the liquor license for Elk Creek Ranch LLC, ratification of two small vehicle bids from Cook Ford with acceptance of terms and an increase of $43 per unit, and approval for the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council (MACC) to have a beer garden during the fourth annual Meeker Skijor event at the RBC Fairgrounds Dec. 30-31. Agreements were approved or renewed for services including an interior painting project at the Radino Center in Rangely, information services with CrossNet Tech, an intergovernmental agreement with the Opioid Abatement Council and bylaws, and renewal of an agreement with Shred-Tech for a shredder for the landfill to manage concrete, tires, mattresses and wood waste.
Commissioners approved the adoption of a strategic amended plan for broadband access, approved agreements, easements and rights of way regarding the Gentry property for the Meeker Airport waterline project, approved revised county grant policy and a revised organization chart to include the new interim county administrator’s role, filled by Larry Jones, who said he had “a great first week” on the job.
In work sessions, Jones recommended the county not act as host for next year’s Ride the Rockies event in June after reviewing availability. He proposed a lease for use of the Fairgrounds to be signed by the host. The Meeker Chamber of Commerce has said it’s willing to act as host for the event, which is expected to bring up to 1,500 bicyclists into town for an overnight stay.
Also in work sessions, commissioners discussed with staff and members of the Meeker Colorado Civic Improvement Corporation (MCCIC) board to consider updating the agreement between the county and MCCIC on the maintenance of the property. “We’re not spending as much time there as we anticipated,” said facilities director Eric Jaquez, “Especially since we’re not acting as resident managers.”
Ridge Estates Homeowner’s Association President Sherri Halandras returned to the board during a work session to once again request consideration of adopting a 1-mile stretch of the Ridge Estates Road as a county road to be maintained by the county. The road has the potential to serve 35 homes, there are currently 13 households.
Halandras said the property owners have done what was necessary to bring the road into compliance with county regulations as directed three years ago.
“There were over 20 roads that were designated for possible removal or to discontinue maintenance [in the county]. All of these roads are still being maintained by the county even though they only serve a handful of homes or an individual,” Halandras said. “I believe that the government should consider what action would benefit the most taxpayers, and clearly what’s going on now is not benefiting the most taxpayers. The maintenance of these county roads continues to benefit one or two individual families and denying that same service for a mile of road that would serve 35 homes I don’t think should be that difficult to justify.”
On average, the county receives approximately $3,500 per mile for road maintenance from the state. Using Agency Drive, which is slightly shorter, as an example, costs the county about $8,900 to maintain.
Administrator Jones suggested he could work with Road and Bridge staff to outline policies to adopt or abandon county roads in a fair and equitable manner moving forward.
During public hearings, the board approved an amended plat for two lots in Cross L Estates and a change of four lots in Ridge Estates designated for townhomes back to rural residential.
