RBC | The board of county commissioners met Tuesday, Oct. 10 to discuss the following public business.
FAIR BOARD
With five of nine seats open on the county Fair Board, Rio Blanco County Commissioners conducted interviews with Nate Smith, James [Jak] Kilduff, Jason Spieth, Justin Carroll and Twila Morris on Tuesday. Questions asked of the interviewees included their thoughts about how the Rio Blanco County Fair and Colorado State University’s 4-H program intersect, their thoughts on ways to improve participation and community engagement, prior experience with the fair and on other boards, whether 4-H kids should be part of fair setup and teardown, and potential conflicts of interest. Additional interviews are scheduled for the next BoCC meeting in Rangely on Oct. 24. The Fair Board acts in an advisory capacity for the purpose of promoting a successful county fair.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR
County Attorney Don Steerman and Human Resources Director Laura Smith spoke with the board about how to fulfiLl the statutory duty of compliance with the Open Meetings Act for hiring an interim county administrator/manager through a public process. The county plans to hire an interim administrator to assist with determining an effective job description, what’s needed for the role, and to help prepare for filling the position long-term.
In an afternoon work session with county directors Eric Jaquez, Scott Marsh and Steerman (Leif Joy was on vacation), the BoCC interviewed Larry Jones of Florida, for the interim position. Jones served as an elected county commissioner in Walton County, Florida for 12 years, and then served as administrator for the same county for eight years before leaving the job to deal with health issues in 2021.
FAIRGROUND FEES
Commissioners discussed the use of the 4-H Building at the fairgrounds for archery programs with Scott Nielsen, Meeker Sportsman’s Club president. Eli Bennett, a member of the youth archery programs, shared the importance of the Thursday shooting time at the 4-H Building for the young archers in improving their skills. Commissioners commended Bennett on his public speaking skills.
Nielsen said they don’t charge a fee for the youth, Sportsman’s Club members pay $5, and non-members pay $10. “The money we’ve charged doesn’t even pay to repair the targets,” Nielsen said. “With the amount we’re charging, we can’t afford the $25 an hour usage fee [for the building].”
Of concern to the commissioners are repairing damage to the building caused by misfired arrows and repairs for future damage.
“I want fair, consistent, straight across the board,” said Public Works Director Scott Marsh regarding the fee structure for use of the building.
New Fairgrounds Manager Jessica Hangs said she is working on all the policies and fee structures for the use of the buildings.
Grants
Beth Willey, grant manager, shared grant application and management updates, including applications underway for Walmart’s Shop With A Cop holiday program, and a grant for the County Rd. 7 bridge project. The Department of Local Affairs has awarded the county a $100,000 grant for a project at Columbine Park in Rangely. Commissioners discussed making sure all departments seeking to apply for grants go through Willey, in order to make sure the requirements for the grant funds are met.
Regular Meeting
During the regular meeting, Operations Director Eric Jaquez shared information with the commissioners regarding a $44K unplanned expense to replenish the chemical suppression system in the IT department, following a Sept. 26 event in which there was a dispersal of the chemical agent in the county’s main data center. “Something triggered the alarm,” Jaquez said. No fire was detected by Meeker Fire and Rescue. A review of the system determined there was a malfunction in a “pull station” just outside the door and a need to reset timers according to updated codes since the system was installed.The cost will replace the pull station, recharge the chemicals, and change a switch to improve security for turning off the system.
Commissioners approved a supplemental budget resolution to defray expenses.
Among other business conducted, commissioners: Approved returning maintenance duties to the Meeker Colorado Civic Improvement Corporation (MCCIC) and discontinued maintenance payments for the Fairfield Apartments, contingent upon MCCIC hiring an apartment manager.
Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Moffat County Detention Center for another year to continue providing inmate detainee housing for Rio Blanco County, noting the only change is an increase in price to $75 a day per inmate.
