RBC | Rio Blanco County Commissioners selected four finalists for the position of county administrator during a special meeting Thursday. The finalists’ names are:
1. Amity Broussard
2. Vicki Edwards
3. Jeremy Muxlow
4. Guy Dansie
Commissioners will conduct interviews during a public session on Tuesday, April 23, in Rangely. They instructed staff to collect questions from county employees, which will then be narrowed down by commissioners and sent to the candidates to submit before in-person interviews. Following in-person interview completion, Commissioners plan to announce the final hiring decision for county administrator as early as April 30, but based on uncertainty about the legally recognized posting date, that final decision could be delayed by a few days.
AIRPORT WATERLINE
Commissioners approved easements and ROW (right of way access for nine estates, catalyzing previously stalled efforts to install a new waterline at the Meeker Airport. “We’re going across two pieces of property. One of the pieces of property has seven owners and the other one has one,” explained Commissioner Doug Overton. Operations Administrator Eric Jaquez said the waterline project can now move forward quickly thanks to the easement approvals.
JUST TRANSITION
Jennifer Pieroni with the Office of Just Transition discussed how she and other members of the group share the goal of assisting workers impacted by coal plant closures. She described various ways to “bridge the gap” between workers who will or who already have lost jobs, and new positions within other industries who can make use of their unique skillsets. “There’s conversations around industries that are interested in our skilled workers and how to reach them as we move towards that closure time,” said Pieroni. Other subjects in view for the Just Transition process include seeking support from local banks and other funders to help with workers who are shifting industries, which could be utilized to offer career coaching on everything from building resumes to setting up/using online tools to find work and network with other professionals, and even paying for classes, training and certification efforts by workers.
Pieroni encouraged engagement from interested parties noting “I’m here now and I’m ready to start having conversations with anyone that would like to make plans and understand what is happening.” She emphasized the importance of local participation, information sharing and discussion among various groups as a way to achieve just transition goals effectively. “So we’re putting together all of those things for people to have a kind of one-stop shop, if you will, to know what is available and how to access it.”
HABITAT ENHANCEMENT PROJECT
The board approved a letter of support for the U.S. Forest Service wildlife habitat enhancement project following a presentation by USFS Wildlife Biologist for the Blanco Ranger District Andre Delcalzo. He said the project, which would be spread out over the next 15-20 years, would aim to perform vegetation treatments on 14K acres of forest. Treatments would include prescribed fire chemical, fuel breaks seeding and noxious weed removal to improve elk and mule deer habitat. Treatments would involve the use of heavy machinery in applicable areas and more targeted operations in less accessible areas.
The project is currently going through a NEPA approval process. Delcalzo said the Forest Service hopes to bypass a more intensive NEPA review that would require an environmental assessment. Proposed project plans are open for public comment through Wednesday, April 24 at the local White River National Forest office. According to the desired/ideal schedule, operations could begin as soon as July of next year. Project details are online at fs.usda.gov/project/?project=65795
REGULAR BUSINESS
Commissioners also voted to approve various items during their regularly scheduled meeting including increases to contracts with Department of Human Services providers including:
Increase from $5K to $8K with foster care services provider Joy Thompson for services already provided from January 2022 to May 2024.
Increase from $5K to $8K to the behavioral health agreement for parent-child assessments to cover more court-ordered assessments.
Increase from $5,000 to $8,500 to the intensive family therapy services agreement with Healthy Minds LLC was raised to cover additional therapy sessions for families in need.
Another approval was for a contract modification to extend a deadline for the Community Wildfire Protection (CWP) consultant group JEO Consulting Group Incorporated. Emergency Manager/Natural Resources manager Eddie Smercina said the extension does not increase the contract amount but was necessary due to the plan having significantly more projects than were originally expected.
Other items of business included:
An agreement with the Meeker Classic Sheepdog Trials to provide a free shuttle service to and from the event
A security grant application for airport upgrades like metal detectors
Three Meeker ambulance vehicle renewal permit applications
A bid award to GMCO for the 2024 Chip Seal Project
A permission letter for the Rangely Outdoor Museum to serve liquor on April 27, 2024, during the ROAR event at Columbine Park.
Following regular business the board entered executive session pursuant to §24-6-402(4)(b) for the purpose of receiving legal advice on specific legal questions regarding the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
