RBC | The Rio Blanco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) held a special meeting the evening of Dec. 11 to present and adopt the 2019 County Budget. Budget and Finance Director Janae Stanworth made the public presentation, followed by Road and Bridge Director David Morlan who described the expected spending of the county’s share of state Highway Users Tax Fund monies.
BOCC chair, Shawn Bolton, in prefatory remarks, stated that the budget would be adopted that night as presented. He added, however, that any changes felt to in the best interests of the citizens of the county could be instituted through a budget supplemental in January or thereafter. Also stated was that no increase in expenditures would be considered unless an equal decrease was made to a different expenditure or be supported by a new funding source.
Nearly 30 people attended the meeting, most of them county employees and department directors. Julie Drake, county director of public health, spoke up about concerns she felt many directors had about not having received the proposed budget until earlier that afternoon. Some unexpected cuts were a surprise to many and the need for better communications between the board and departments earlier in the process was expressed.
In addition, the specter of federal land Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Mineral Lease Fund monies possibly being discontinued in the near future is of real concern.
The employees present, as a whole, by applause and a few informal comments, showed their appreciation for the difficulty of forging the complicated budget, and especially for the inclusion of a two percent cost of living adjustment increase for all county employees.
Bolton took the opportunity to describe some of the challenges the board faced in constructing the budget—and the mixed bag of trying to keep balance between all the departments. He said, “I know each department head thinks their department is most important to the county. To some degree, that’s what they are supposed to do.” He talked about having to start the budget off with an “800 pound gorilla in the room,” indicating the Information Technology Department directed by Dylon Merrell, and alluding to all the new computer systems and programs required.
Commissioner Si Woodruff stated that the board is guilty of not communicating better and that it is important that all county employees understand the budget and the competing pressures, and how they all need to be part of the same county team. Bolton pointed out that employees, of course, are the biggest expense in the budget and that the two percent COLA increase pales in comparison with the 20 to 30 percent increase in employee benefits, primarily in health insurance costs.
Commissioner Jeff Rector offered that the county employee benefits package is a huge deal, and a lot better than most comparable packages in private enterprise.
The 2019 budget includes just over 153 full-time equivalent employees. In 2018, the county added a case aide, family engagement facilitator and communications technician. In 2019, the county will add a Department of Human Services eligibility specialist, attorney training and a building inspector (shared with the Town of Rangely.) Positions in the treasurer’s and clerk’s offices and an IT intern position will be cut in the coming year.
The BOCC proceeded to unanimously pass resolutions adopting the 2019 budget as presented, appropriating the monies to cover the $35,682,759 expenditures set forth, and certifying the 9.05 general property tax mills expected to generate $7,462,262 toward defraying the total budget. Also included in their actions were resolutions enabling separate property tax funding for the Piceance Creek and Lower White River Pest Control Districts.
At the close of the special meeting after all the resolutions had been adopted, Commission Chair Shawn Bolton reflected on his eight years in office, saying, “It’s been fun. And I’m looking forward to riding off into the sunset.”
The BOCC meets again in special session Friday (tomorrow), at the courthouse in Meeker, for final certification of the mill levies and revenue facilitation for 2019. In addition, the board will consider a draft comment letter regarding the White River Field Office, BLM, proposed changes to their Resource Management Plan, mostly concerned with travel management. The Field Office is scheduled to continue a presentation to the Board in Work Session at 9 a.m., Friday. Human Resources Director, Laura Smith, at 8:45 a.m., will also brief the commissioners on open county positions going into 2019.
Other 11 a.m. agenda items include approval of a contract with Denise Sheridan for tobacco use education and prevention, an agreement for stucco work as part of the Fairfield Center remodel, a yearlong extension of the CR 73 (Angora Bridge) bridge design services contract, and continued design work on the CR 5 (Piceance Creek) stock passes.
The county reminds citizens to check the county website at www.rbc.us/departments/commissioners for up-to-date information.
By REED KELLEY | [email protected]
