RANGELY | “If you want to get better, you better go learn constantly and get better. And these two guys are the quintessential example of that,” RBC Planner/GIS Director Leif Joy told the board of commissioners Tuesday, referring to Building Inspector Matt Franks and Emergency Manager/Natural Resources Director Eddie Smercina.
The trio held a work session with the board to discuss recent optimization and modernization efforts between county departments. Joy spoke highly of some of the new processes and systems, describing them as “slick, fast, efficient, and quite honestly a lot easier,” noting that it built on the previous efforts of county staff to increase collaboration and efficiency.
“It needed to be refined and it needed to be changed,” said Joy. Switching to electronic systems, departmental cross training and new software were noted as some of the specific methods employed to assist with internal procedure overhauls/upgrades. Some ways these efforts have affected and improved work at the county include:
- better project tracking & management
- online payment systems
- accessible GIS/planning information
- standardization of forms
- digital document signing
Joy also updated the board about ongoing operations in the planning department which include processing new subdivision applications and working with RBC Attorney Don Steerman on legal descriptions for a planned waterline upgrade at the Meeker Airport. The planning commission last Thursday approved a new major impact review for the White River Valley solar farm. Joy said he’d pass along information from the 240-page application to the board for review which will be discussed at the May 9 board meeting.
BUILDING DEPT/PLUMBING
Building Inspector Matt Franks shared another update on plans to shift to local plumbing inspections. The Town of Rangely will continue using the state inspector to keep costs low. The Town of Meeker has offered to assist the county with the transition, but won’t take over the duty to avoid additional liability. The board instructed Franks to continue training/education until he’s ready to become certified to do local inspections.
WATER CONSERVANCY
Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District Director Alden Vanden Brink advocated against what he described as efforts at the state level to “usurp the prior appropriations doctrine” by pushing for compact compliance programs such as the Systems Conservation Pilot (SCP) program which would pay water users to temporarily use less than their total allocation in exchange for money. “This is a real problem where the state has the ability to go in and procure these water rights,” Vanden Brink said, noting that regional conservation districts already have those powers. “If you have the opportunity, talk to your legislators. I encourage you to oppose this. This is not going to be good for the Western Slope.”
REGULAR MEETING
In the regular meeting the board approved agreements and authorized Commissioner Ty Gates to approve bid awards for $10K each from Elder Weed Spraying and Rocky Mountain Weed Management for lower Piceance Creek herbicide projects.
The board approved an MOU with the White River and the Douglas Creek Conservation Districts regarding the 2022 Updated Rio Blanco County Land and Natural Resources Plan and Policy (NRLUP). Gates shared that he did not see a need for the MOU since the entities already outline their partnership and expectations as part of their CCITF agreement with the county. Both conservation districts receive grant funds from the board’s discretionary County Capital Improvement Trust Fund. Commissioner Doug Overton said he felt it was important for future work between the county and districts.
Other approvals included:
- Request for Reimbursement for the Rangely Airport Fence Project.
- Scope of Work for the Suicide Prevention Mini Grant on behalf of the Rio Blanco County Coroner
- Alcohol/liquor permit for the Meeker Arts and Cultural Council to serve alcohol at the MeekerPalooza in June and July
- Alcohol/liquor permit for the Meeker Lions Club to serve alcohol at the RBC Pioneers Banquet and Dance and HopeWest Corn Hole Tournament and Fund Raiser
- Purchase Order for a Ranger Crew XP 1000 NorthStar Premium – Super Graphite – 49 State Side by Side UTV paid for by existing “Title 3” the county has had available since 2006
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
