RBC| The Rio Blanco County Board of County Commissioners held its regular monthly meeting in Rangely last week, with all three commissioners present.
The meeting opened with a public comment period, though no comments were made in person or online. Commissioners then moved to approve the agenda, with a proposed change to remove Item No. 2 — the Feb. 10, 2026, meeting minutes — from the consent agenda.
Before approval, board attorney Rose Pugliese sought clarification.
“So are you removing it from the consent agenda and then putting it on the action items, or are you tabling it? I don’t know what ‘delete’ means,” Pugliese said.
Commissioner Callie Scritchfield responded that the board had not yet reviewed the minutes.
“We have not seen them to be able to approve them, so we were simply deleting them from the agenda, I think,” she said.
Pugliese advised the board that the item would need to be formally tabled. The original motion was withdrawn, and commissioners instead approved a motion to table Item No. 2 from the consent agenda. The item was tabled until the April 14 meeting.
Commissioners then approved the amended agenda and moved on to the consent agenda, which was approved unanimously.
Approved items included payroll management reports from March 13, 2026; multiple service agreements for county road and weed management projects; approval to purchase magnesium chloride for dust control; ratification of a county attorney agreement with Koy Dingboom and Oats LLC; and a herbicide bid awarded to Van Diest Supply Co. not to exceed $161,879.70.
The board then moved to business items, beginning with approval of a letter of support for the White River Conservation District’s watershed planning efforts through congressionally directed spending.
Natural Resource Manager Reece Melton said he met with Executive Director Vanessa Trout earlier in the week to discuss infrastructure improvements on three major irrigation ditches.
“The engineers that were hired have come up with three different designs and alternatives,” Melton said. “The landowners have selected their preferred options, but now NEPA needs to be completed.”
Melton explained that the process begins with a feasibility report to determine if the project qualifies under the National Environmental Policy Act, followed by a watershed plan. He noted that NEPA costs could reach up to $800,000.
He added that while the Natural Resources Conservation Service could help fund NEPA, the process could take up to three years. Alternatively, the district could apply for congressional directed spending funds, with assistance from the Farmers Conservation Alliance.
Commissioner Doug Overton asked for more details about the projects.
“Do you know what projects, real briefly, the ditches are wanting to do?” Overton asked.
Melton said he did not have specifics but would follow up.
Scritchfield said the projects involve the Miller Creek, Highland and Oak Ridge ditches.
She explained that the Miller Creek Ditch has ongoing issues with washouts, particularly near the headgate, and that lining portions of the ditch — potentially up to five miles — has been discussed.
“That ditch washes out way too frequently,” Scritchfield said. “About 10 years ago, it washed out badly enough that irrigators couldn’t use it all summer.”
She added that the Highland Ditch experiences significant seepage, while the Oak Ridge Ditch has similar infrastructure concerns, including headgates and diversion structures.
Scritchfield emphasized the importance of long-term solutions.
“They need something that’s a solid fix for the next 50 years, not just temporary repairs,” she said.
Commissioners also discussed funding timelines and overall project costs, with Scritchfield noting estimates of about $1 million per mile for improvements to the Miller Creek Ditch.
Following discussion, the board approved the letter of support.
In additional business, commissioners approved a letter opposing House Bill 26-1323 regarding wildfire resiliency and beaver protections, and approved a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service for gravel work on Forest Service Road 250.2 East Beaver Yellow Jacket.
No resolutions or public hearings were scheduled.
The board then recessed to convene as the Board of Social Services, where Human Services Director Carmen McKay provided a department update, highlighting staff performance, ongoing case transitions and upcoming state reviews and trainings.
After reconvening as the Board of County Commissioners, the board received a budget-to-actual analysis presentation from Finance Director Lisa Hemann.
In other business, commissioners discussed potentially adjusting their regular meeting schedule. Scritchfield noted conflicts with holidays and scheduling challenges.
“I’d like to see us do a work session in the morning before the board meeting,” she said.
Commissioner Jennifer O’Hearon agreed, noting that earlier work sessions allow for more in-depth discussion with staff.
No changes were made, as a formal resolution is required. The item is expected to return at the April 14 meeting.
The meeting concluded with brief commissioner updates.
The next meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 14 at the Rio Blanco County Courthouse in Meeker.
