RBC | In work sessions, the regular board meeting and a Board of Health meeting on Tuesday in Rangely, Commissioner Gary Moyer presided over the meeting while Commission Chair Jeff Rector was quarantined awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test and Commissioner Si Woodruff participated by telephone.
Commissioners discussed revisions to the county’s personnel handbook with Human Resources Director Laura Smith that include social media use and security guidelines and required changes from the state surrounding sick leave.
The board is still in discussion with Chuck Whiteman about a lease for the Cathedral Tower broadband site. Commissioner Woodruff said he thought remaining issues with the contract could be resolved through a meeting with Whiteman, himself, and the county attorney.
During the regular board meeting, commissioners were asked to approve a letter of support for a conservation easement on property owned by Mike and Tena Theos. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Area Manager Bill DeVergie said the easement, which would be adjacent to another conservation easement property, would protect the property from future development and “create a good wildlife corridor.” Additionally, it would provide for some public fishing access and limited public hunting.
The Theos family, working with CPW, were seeking a letter of support from the board, but commissioners Moyer and Rector opted to follow a Moffat County trend of “taking a neutral position,” saying the conservation easements keep property at a “very low tax base.”
“We have 78% of our ground in RBC is public lands,” said Rector. “I would be more apt to do something with mitigating wild horses. At the end of the day if we want to talk about what’s beating our wildlife back it’s the wild horses. We’re already one of the largest easement holders in the state.”
Woodruff said he was inclined to support deVergie’s request.
The board voted 2-1 to deny the letter of support and will draft a letter neither supporting nor opposing the easement.
In other business, the board:
Appointed Megan Davis and Candra Robie to the Columbine Park Board.
Requested reimbursement for the Rangely airport drainage project federal grant and remarking project.
Approved an agreement with the Conservation District to allow them to use a county license for mapping software.
Approved an amended agreement for services with Jennifer Harris for sexual abuse/offender treatment services in an amount not to exceed $10,000.
Approved an agreement for services with Hilltop Community Resources for structured parenting time in an amount not to exceed $2,000.
Approved rezoning nearly 14 acres of property owned by the county near Rangely to better comply with the land use plan. The property zoning will change from agricultural to industrial.
The board adjourned and reconvened as the county Board of Health. Read that story at theheraldtimes.com/when-in-doubt-quarantine/rio-blanco-county/
CORRECTION (Friday, Nov. 20): A previous version of this article stated that the board approved annexation for a 14-acre parcel of county-owned property. The property in question is referred to as the RBC Annex. In fact, the county rezoned the property from agricultural to industrial. The HT regrets the error and appreciates the correction.
