RBC | In work sessions Tuesday, July 26, RBC Human Resources Director Laura Smith updated commissioners on changes surrounding employee policies and procedures to comply with legislative changes. Some of the changes involve the family leave plan and unemployment benefits, among others. Commissioners also discussed evaluation systems and employee pay scales.
Fleet Management Supervisor Dave Overton told commissioners the Road and Bridge Department is starting a “big gravel haul” to County Rd. 19 on the other side of Ripple Creek Pass that will create some long workdays for staff.
Overtson also said the county’s online silent auction, currently underway, “looks good.” To see available items and to place a bid, visit https://www.govdeals.com and search for Rio Blanco County. The auction closes Aug. 1.
As the state begins implementing requirements for local governments to monitor their carbon footprint, Overton said they’ll begin researching electric and hybrid vehicle options and charging stations. “Be aware that’s coming,” he said. Budget and finance director Janae Stansworth said it will likely show up in the 2024 budget, and said partnering with other entities who will also be affected by the new requirements could be beneficial.
Weed and Pest Director Jane Turnburke updated the board on spraying operations. Poison hemlock has been identified on CR 115 above Lake Avery. Residents on the other side of Ripple Creek are handling whitetop leafy spurge issues. Pesticides for Mormon crickets and grasshoppers are available through the weed and pest department.
With the departure of Visionary Broadband leaving only one VAR (Value Added Reseller) in the county, IT Director Trevor Nielsen asked the board for direction on what model of service the county prefers to move forward with. Some communities operate their broadband network as a utility, like water or sewer, which is an option for the county. The benefit of that model is that all the revenue goes directly to the county.
Currently the broadband program is an open access network with VAR providers. In attendance at Tuesday’s meeting was Mitchell Shook, founder and CEO of Advanced Stream, an internet service provider out of Washington state. Shook said they are interested in joining as a VAR, but don’t want to be in competition with a government entity for customers. The company currently operates in Washington, Idaho and Utah. During public comment, Shook said, “We think you have a fantastic network and we’re ready to start tomorrow.”
Commissioners met as the Board of Equalization on Monday and extended that meeting into Tuseday, approving a valuation of $20 million in personal property for 2022 for Utah Gas as part of a settlement agreement. According to the Assessor’s Office, Utah Gas appealed the 2020 and 2021 valuation of certain personal property and the county board denied the appeals. In a settlement agreement signed Dec. 21, 2021, the County Board and Utah Gas, “in order to avoid the expense and uncertainty of litigation, Utah Gas and the County Board wish to compromise, settle, and resolve the appeals that are pending … and to agree to the actual value to be assigned for the property for tax year 2022.”
Utah Gas has partially paid its 2020 tax bill, and thus far paid none of its 2021 tax bill. The settlement reduced the tax bill for 2020 from $491,401 to $355,905 and reduced the tax bill for 2021 from $417,817 to $355,905 as well. Agreeing to a $20 million valuation for 2022 was part of the settlement, but will have no effect on future tax years.
In the regular meeting, the board:
- Approved alcohol services by Lions Club at the Pioneers Dinner/Dance and at two Meeker Mustang Makeover events in August.
- Approved a final settlement with Oldcastle for the 2022 chip seal project in the amount of $23,487.
- Appointed Stansworth to oversee the 2023 budget process and approved Sept. 2 as the deadline for final budgets to be presented from departments.
- Approved the a compliance certification for the Meeker Airport Outfall project.
- Appointed Jennifer O’Hearon as RBC representative to Colorado Counties Inc.
- Approved increasing one of the Road and Bridge administrative assistant positions to full-time. Scott March said the added expense of about $5,000 will come from the landfill enterprise fund, as most of the added time will be spent on administrative duties related to the landfill. Chevron is reportedly $230,000 past due on landfill fees.
- Also related to the landfill, tightening environmental regulations and recycling requirements will increase the workload for landfill staff.
- Also approved an amendment to the Area Agency on Aging contract, increasing the grant amount to $90K. The grant, through Mesa County, provides services to senior citizens in Meeker and Rangely, primarily the senior nutrition program.
- Approved a contract modification for the 2022 dust control program, increasing the contract by $27K, with the total not to exceed $371K. Marsh said the increase was due to additional fuel charges and use of a higher grade magnesium chloride on specific sections of some county roads.
- Approved the Motorola radio maintenance contract for the RBC Sheriff’s Office for $19,000.
In public comment, Jan Zuber, representing the RBC Pioneers Association, invited the board and staff to the 110th annual dinner/dance on Aug. 20.
In commissioner updates, all three commissioners said they were highly impressed with the way the BLM wild horse gather was being conducted. “Those are the most compassionate people with those horses that I have ever seen,” O’Hearon said. Love agreed, saying the gather was well-orchestrated and “extremely well done.” Commissioner Ty Gates said he wishes the people who are “giving them [BLM] flak would go see it for themselves.”
Following a public hearing about a limited impact review for Black Elk Ranch, the board went into executive session to discuss the Meeker Colorado Civic Improvement Corp. with the attorney and members of the MCCIC board. The MCCIC board oversees the Fairfield Apartments.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
