RBC | The County Commissioners held another work session last week to discuss the 2025 draft budget. All three commissioners attended the Tuesday meeting in Meeker.
The session began with Linda Masters of CSU Extension Programs and Activities, who discussed her budget. She listed $3,200 for her end-of-year projection on the 271 5300 fund but expects to have $4,200 by year’s end. For 2025, she is requesting an increase to $3,500.
Masters also requested an increase in the 2025 budget for purchasing services, from $9,557 in 2024 to $10,500, citing increased expenses.
“I have invited guests to the county, and out of that, I have to pay for their hotel, consulting fees, and gas,” Masters said. If approved, the increase would represent a $1,000 boost over her 2024 budget. The commissioners did not decide on the request and moved on to the next item.
“We’re not getting anywhere,” Commissioner Doug Overton said. “We need you to go back, figure this budget out, and come back to us.”
Next, Teresia Reed, executive director of the White River Museum, gave an update. The museum is not requesting additional funds for 2025 but hopes to maintain current funding levels.
“We still have four part-time staff members, and we’re open seven days a week. You’d be surprised—sometimes Sunday is our busiest day,” Reed said.
She shared that the museum has earned a positive reputation. “Last week, a lady visited three times asking why the governor’s office doesn’t know about our museum,” she added.
Reed mentioned a $25,150 fund scheduled for 2026, which she wants the museum to benefit from, citing rising costs due to minimum wage increases.
“Minimum wage is going up. I have two veterans and a member from a 100-year-old family working here, and we need to be able to pay them at least minimum wage,” Reed said. She noted that she takes $15 an hour herself, and added her resume for the commissioners’ reference.
Commissioner Overton praised Reed for her work at the museum.
“You do an exceptional job for the right amount of money. It’s an outstanding museum,” Overton said.
Commissioner Ty Gates also complimented the museum, referencing positive Google reviews. “You do a great job—just reading the Google comments is impressive,” Gates said.
The commissioners did not review their own budget, as Overton expressed satisfaction with their previous discussions. Instead, they moved on to general government items, starting with County Clerk and Recorder Shawn Luce, followed by contingency funds.
There was $50,000 set aside for interim wages, but Overton raised concerns about where those funds should be allocated.
“My gut says that doesn’t need to be there—it should go to department heads,” Overton said.
County Administrator Vicky Edwards provided updates, reminding the board of the statutory budget deadline on Dec. 15.
After brief updates from each commissioner, the meeting adjourned. Additional work sessions for budget discussion were held Oct. 14.
A copy of the 2025 proposed budget Improvement Trust Fund will be filed in the office of the County Clerk and Recorder Office, 555 Main Street, Meeker, Colorado and the County Clerk and Recorder Office, Rangely Town Hall, 209 E. Main Street, Suite 101, Rangely, Colorado, and are open for public inspection 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. on normal business days.
A final public hearing of the Board of County Commissioners will be held on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024 at 9 a.m. Rio Blanco Historic Courthouse, 3rd Floor Commissioners Meeting Room, 555 Main Street, Meeker, Colorado. Any interested elector within such county may inspect the proposed budgets and file or register any objections hereto at any time prior to the final adoption of the budgets.
By JARED HENDERSON
