The Rio Blanco County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) met for work sessions Tuesday, starting with an update from Public Health Director Karen Dinwiddie. Dinwiddie reviewed the department’s core programs and grant funding received.
Facilities Director Eric Jaquez provided a third quarter update and asked for direction on some upcoming items. A state statute that requires additional security measures for county election rooms went into effect in June. Rio Blanco County is compliant at this time, Jaquez said, but will need to add additional equipment — approximately $18,000 worth — to maintain compliance under the new statute. Commissioner Jennifer O’Hearon asked about grant fund availability to cover the additional expenses.
Jaquez also reported on a recent tour of county facilities in Rangely. The community pens will be moved to Columbine Park, and the sheriff’s office wants to relocate its Rangely office from Town Hall to the building currently occupied by the Rangely Chamber. Commissioner Ty Gates requested a workshop with Chamber Director McKenzie Webber and Town Manager Lisa Piering for discussion.
The Meeker Airport Outfall Project is complete, Jaquez said. “I feel really confident that we have the best solution possible,” adding that the residents and CDOT were pleased with the results. Without a major rainstorm, the project is untested, but Jaquez is confident the problem has been resolved.
Boyd Richardson provided information about a planned gutter project at the Rio Blanco County Fairgrounds to add gutters to the stalls and the back of the grandstands. One bid has been received from a Glenwood Springs business for approximately $16,000.
County Attorney Don Steerman reported for Emergency Manager Eddie Smercina on a proposal to coordinate with other counties and special districts that expect impacts from wolf reintroduction. Attorney Kent Holzinger, who has previously assisted with sage grouse litigation, is asking for $25,000 per cooperating county, “if the county can do it.”
Removing wolves from the state’s endangered list to allow more flexibility in how to deal with them, limiting the number of wolves in the state, and active management including lethal control without bureaucratic restrictions are some of the guiding principles the group would follow. There’s potential for working with industry groups, nonprofits, and private landowners, as well, but getting county governments together is the first step.
Stepping up as interim director for the Department of Human Services, Carmen McKay shared information about emergency support funds through Rocky Mountain Health Foundation. The funds are not connected to state or federal monies and come to participating counties through the nonprofit as a lump sum. The funds are distributed as one-time emergency funding for individuals who need help with rent, utilities, or certain other expenses.
“Moffat County has been receiving the funds in Rio Blanco’s name,” McKay said. “We were unaware of the money and haven’t been receiving it, and it’s gone for this year.”
McKay said it is unclear how long the emergency funds have been going to Moffat County instead of Rio Blanco, or what the amounts are. The funding is based on population and need.
“It’s important for the people we serve,” McKay said.
Steerman provided information about ClearBallot voting systems. Following pushback from a segment of residents about the continued use of the Dominion system purchased by the county in 2017, county staff has researched ClearBallot as the alternative option. By state statute, the county is required to have an electronic voting system.
“It’s going to be a little higher than what we’re currently paying,” Steerman said, adding, “They do the same thing. If you talk to the people who are skeptical about the systems, they say ClearBallot could be susceptible to the same security issues they claim with Dominion.”
O’Hearon agreed, saying after doing her own research, the two systems are similar.
“I don’t see we can rightfully justify $80K of taxpayer dollars to buy equipment that does the same thing,” Gates said.
The BoCC previously delayed approval of a five-year contract extension with Dominion for licensing and service. During the work session, all agreed they would prefer a year to year contract instead of a five year agreement. The county has been paying the contract annually.
In the regular meeting, the BoCC approved a CCITF/CDGF grant for up to $5,000 to the Rangely Regional Library to replace a sewer line. Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado will match the county’s cost.
The board also approved a use tax grant from the Rangely Outdoor Museum to fund operations in the amount of $6,487, approved a public health preventative block grant application for public health, approved a commercial insurance application for both airports, officially appointed McKay as DHS director effective Sept. 9, 2022, and approved supplemental funding through 2022 for the full-time grand funding position through budget and finance.
The board awarded bids and approved agreements for service with Frontier Paving ($167K) for the sand shed surface treatment project, and $55K to Southwest Sales Company for a landfill cover tarp deployment system. Gates said landfill staff are currently using a dozer to pull tarps over the pit, which causes the tarps to rip and have to be replaced.
Following a road and bridge department update and commissioner activity updates, the board went into executive session for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions and determining positions relative to negotiations regarding Rio Blanco County housing.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
