If you pay very close attention to your monthly cell phone bill, you may notice an 8¢ increase on the 911 surcharge beginning in February. The increase will generate about $80 in additional revenue this year for the Eastern Rio Blanco County 911 board. Dispatch Supervisor Rhawnie McGruder spoke to Meeker’s board of trustees Tuesday. The 911 board’s budget for this year is almost identical to the 2023 budget, she said, with increases to cover higher costs for training and travel. There are no capital expenditures or upgrades planned for this year.
Trustees approved Meeker Police Chief Eddie Thompson as a representative to the 911 board and Officer Thomas Dietrich as an alternate.
The Meeker High School baseball and softball teams are collaborating on a fundraiser and auction on Saturday, Feb. 25 at the Fairgrounds 4-H Building. Trustees approved a special event liquor license application from the Meeker Lions Club for the event, contingent on receipt of approval for use of the location from the Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners.
Trustees also approved a $2,000 donation to the teams. Team members present explained that the funding from the event will help supply new uniforms, cover the cost of post-season travel expenses, and replace equipment. New bats, for example, can run from $500-800 each.
The board agreed to a $5K donation to the Meeker Area Mountain Biking Association (MAMBA) contingent on approval of a grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife for MAMBA. The town will act as fiscal agent for the grant, if received. Funding will be used for maintenance and improvements on the trail system.
The board appointed Dan Olson to the Meeker Library Board for a three-year term. “I’m happy about the opportunity to do this, I view the library as a huge community resource and I’m excited to be able to serve in that way,” Olson said.
Trustee Chris Lockwood asked Olson his opinion on banning books. Olson said whether specific books are stocked at the library is a decision best left to the community, which “sets the moral tone.”
