RBC | During workshops Monday prior to the regular board of county commissioners meeting, the commissioners heard from Communications Director Cody Crooks regarding the audit of Local Access Internet, one of the two internet service providers. The county has used LAI’s Quickbooks info and traced everything back from deposits. Crooks said the audit is expected to be complete by Aug. 27. Finance Director Janae Stanworth said the cost for the audit is about $9,000.
The commissioners reviewed and approved a supplemental budget after the receipt of Anvil Points funds and PILT money. The supplemental budget
will go toward an extra facilities management employee, the USDA wildlife services position and a $4,500 donation for the Rangely Elks Club, among other things.
Solveig Olson requested a fee waiver for the use of the Fairfield Center for HopeWest’s annual gala. HopeWest’s services are provided to county residents free of charge. The commissioners approved the waiver.
Kay Bivens and Dorothy Chappell, residents of the Fairfield Apartments, presented concerns about paving and repairing the east parking lot and having the exterior of the buildings painted or stuccoed.
Lanny Coulter told the board something needs to be done about the water supply to the airport.
“We’ve got the type of traffic now I’m terrified that if we needed water to put a fire out we wouldn’t have it,” Coulter said. “Nobody knows if we have enough water up there to even put out a lawnmower fire.”
Department of Human Services Director Barb Bofinger said there’s a statewide push to increase enrollments for food stamps and Medicaid, and that Rio Blanco County has been identified as having a higher number of people eligible but not enrolled. They’re working with various programs to make sure they have applications.
There are currently 19 children in out-of-home care, nine in foster care and 10 in kinship care.
During the regular meeting the commissioners:
– Approved liquor licenses for the Jammin’ Lamb Barbecue Sept. 8 and the HopeWest gala Sept. 29.
– Appointed Commissioner Woodruff as the Rio Blanco County representative for the Yampa-White-Green Basin Roundtable.
– Opened bids for the 2018 Bachmann Pit Crushing project, estimated at $744,000. Bids ranged from $375,000 to $579,000.
– Opened two bids for an AWD motorgrader with attachments. Bids will be awarded at the next meeting.
– Approved a $150,000 grant between BOCC and the Federal Aviation Administration for an airport master plan study.
– Approved a county emergency disaster program policy in cases of a declared county emergency.
– Approved a recurring $53,000 grant from the Area Agency on Aging for the White River Roundup.
– Approved $37,000 for the Department of Human Services.
– Approved a $75,000 payment for construction of walls at the Fairfield Center remodel.
– Agreed to schedule a coordinated election with the South Routt School District RE-3 for all political subdivisions involved.
During public comment:
Rio Blanco County Historical Society Teresia Ruckman-Reed expressed concerns about historic artifacts being removed from the courthouse. The commissioners asked for specific instances, and Reed said she would get more information.
By Niki Turner
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