MEEKER | The Rio Blanco County Commissioners opened their regular meeting last Tuesday with a letter of thanks to firefighters, emergency responders and citizens “who have worked tirelessly to protect our community” during the Elk and Lee fires. (The full letter was published in last week’s edition of the Herald Times.)
Funding limited to emergencies
Facing financial uncertainties, the board voted to limit disbursement of County Capital Improvement Trust Funds, Commissioners’ Discretionary Grant Fund, and Use Tax grant funding to emergency requests only.
“There’s too many unknowns right now,” said Commissioner Callie Scritchfield. Costs related to wildfire response, along with uncertainty about severance tax funding, PILT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) funds and SRS funds, led commissioners to agree that non-emergency grants will have to wait.
Scritchfield and Commissioner Doug Overton also noted the likelihood of long-term expenses, such as replacing miles of fencing along Highway 13.
Hazard mitigation, airport projects approved
In regular business, the board approved a grant-funded contract with JEO Consulting to prepare a new hazard mitigation plan. Emergency Manager Doug Cupp said the county’s plan expired in March and must be renewed to qualify for funding.
Several Meeker Airport items were also approved, including right-of-way and easement agreements with Atmos Energy, an Airport Infrastructure Grant for GA ramp construction, and amendments to contracts for public health emergency preparedness and senior nutrition programs.
Events, letters, agreements
Contingent on fire conditions and fairgrounds availability, commissioners approved liquor licenses for the rescheduled Meeker Mustang Makeover (Sept. 26–27) and the Meeker Classic Jammin’ Lamb Fest, which organizers announced this week has been canceled at this time.
The board ratified a letter of support for the BLM’s wild horse gather. “We are very hopeful that BLM will gather and remove all of our excess horses down to at least the upper AML this fall,” Scritchfield said. A letter of comment on Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s draft state wildlife plan was also ratified.
Commissioners approved a modification to the White River National Forest agreement for noxious weed control, and an agreement with the Colorado Department of Homeland Security to establish disaster recovery data tracking. County Attorney Don Steerman stressed the importance of confidentiality while sharing survivor information with partner agencies.
Local property, precinct dissolved
The board authorized assigning a county-held lien on a Rangely property containing asbestos. Treasurer Rhonna Waldref explained that the town has received grant funding for cleanup and abatement of the property.
Commissioners also approved dissolving Precinct 5 (Piceance Creek), moving voters into Precinct 3 at the request of residents.
Recognitions and updates
Road and Bridge Supervisor Clint Chappell praised employees for their firefighting support and reported on dust control options being tested on county roads. Commissioners also recognized fairgrounds staff and the CSU Extension office for their work during the county fair and for caring for evacuated livestock during the fire evacuations.