RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, July 25 in Rangely to discuss the following public business.
Town of Rangely Central Square Contract
Conversations between the Town of Rangely and Rio Blanco Board of Commissioners have stalled following a county work session and subsequent town meeting Tuesday. Rangely Town Manager Lisa Piering asked questions about a proposed contract agreement. If approved the contract would allow the Town of Rangely to piggyback on the county’s Central Square software license. Central Square is “Public Sector Safety and Administration Software” used by dispatch and other emergency services. As part of the agreement, Rangely would need to contribute funding to cover a portion of costs incurred by the county for training, updates and system centralization related to integration between the two agencies.
Both entities have been discussing the partnership for months, but Piering said costs listed in the contract, specifically $8K/yr., makes the partnership not worth it. During a meeting with the Town of Rangely’s board Tuesday she said, “In five years we would literally save like $4,000 dollars and it would come with a ton of stipulations, so unless they agree to take that out of the mix, there’s no point in moving forward with that.”
Rangely District Hospital Grant
Rangely District Hospital met with commissioners to discuss a few ongoing grant applications, highlighting an EPIC (Executives Partnering in Childcare) grant for up to $1 million to develop a new childcare facility. RDH Foundation and Marketing Director Raquel Petersen said the planned facility would accommodate up to 68 students. Petersen noted childcare would be a necessary component of expanding the workforce in Rangely through planned additions to staff at the hospital, Colorado Northwestern Community College, the Town of Rangely and the school district. “I want to emphasize that this is not a ‘if we build it they will come’ kind of project, it is that we have the need now, and we need to at least increase some capacity,” said Petersen. The hospital asked for a letter of support for the project, which the board agreed to consider following review of a draft letter from the hospital.
County Development
As part of an ongoing boundary dispute south of Meeker, County Development Director and GIS/Surveyor Leif Joy informed the board he is working to help ascertain what the true boundary is. “This particular issue involves three section breakdowns. It’s about 17,000 linear feet of fence,” said Joy, noting that the process will take a while to complete. County Attorney Don Steerman assured the board that costs incurred will be paid by parties in dispute, not the county. In other community development updates, Joy shared information about various technical improvements including a more efficient Google Drive system. He also said the department will eliminate “re-permitting” on existing tower sites, but will continue to require permits for new tower installations.
County Administrator
Janae Stanworth attended her last official meeting as the county’s budget and finance director this week, though she will still work as “relief,” responsible for the preparation of the 2023 budget. As part of a process initiated earlier this year, and in an attempt to fill some of the duties previously performed by Stanworth, the board plans to use DOLA (Department of Local Affairs) grant funding to pursue a county administrator position. The board agreed to reconvene on the subject with other department heads with the goal of determining what a specific job description for a county administrator would look like.
Assessor Position
The board approved a new hire in the assessor’s office to assist with increased workload. Assessor Renae Neilson requested the help (which will come within the assessor’s office budget) because new legislation including SB 22-238 has added a lot of work, leaving the department behind on normal field work. Neilson noted the new hire will also help the treasurer’s office.
Water Resources Tour
White River/Douglas Creek Conservation District director Callie Hendrickson requested to use county-owned buses for an upcoming tour of projects developed under the White River Integrated Water Initiative. The tour is on Saturday, Aug. 26. Hendrickson said the focus of the tour will be on Miller Creek, Highland and Oak Ridge Ditches.
Regular Meeting
During the regular meeting the board:
– Approved an agreement with Learn Design & Apply Inc., for grant writing assistance and consulting related to the county broadband expansion project
– Appointed Janae Stanworth as the person responsible for the preparation of the 2023 budget, per C.R.S. 29-1-104
– Approved liquor licenses for the Meeker Lions Club to serve alcohol on Aug. 25-26 (Meeker Mustang Makeover), and Sept. 9 (Jammin’ Lamb BBQ and Meeker Sheepdog Trials)
– Approved a letter of support for the AAA
Increased Funding State Budget Request.
– Approved Notice of Final Contractor Settlement for the 2023 Rio Blanco County Chip Seal Project
– Ratification of 10J Rule Comments Regarding the Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of the Gray Wolf in Colorado
County commissioners also gave special kudos to Janae Stanworth in recognition of her last official meeting as budget and finance director. “You got us through some very tough times and it’s been a pleasure working with you,” said Gates.
By Lucas Turner | [email protected]
