RBC | As local governments prepare for budget season, the Rio Blanco County Commissioners heard a presentation about the county’s insurance policies from Meredith Burcham of County Technical Services, Inc. (CTSI) during a work session last Tuesday. CTSI administers the County Health Pool (CHP), County Workers’ Compensation Pool (CWCP) and the Colorado Counties Casualty and Property Pool).
The board also discussed the utilization of its grant funding mechanisms with accountant Lisa Hemann, including the County Capital Improvement Trust Fund (CCITF), Commissioners’ Discretionary Grant Fund (CDFG), and Ute Tax funds for 2026 planning.
As oil shale exploration and development expanded in the late 1970s, the state of Colorado established the Oil Shale Trust Fund to receive federal leasing bonus payments. In 1982, the County Capital Improvement Trust Fund (CCITF) was created for the distribution of funding to Rio Blanco, Garfield, Moffat and Mesa counties by percentages. RBC received $20 million in CCITF funding.
While other counties ran through their CCITF funding quickly, RBC invested and established a plan to only use interest on the balance to fund requests from local taxing districts. By statute, CCITF funds are limited to capital projects for the county and its political subdivisions. Funds granted in 2025 include $83K to replace the roof at the county-owned building that houses the White River Museum and $150K for the Rangely School District for necessary repairs.
The CDGF is revenue collected from the electric sales tax, and is also limited to support the county or its political subdivisions, although that could be changed by ordinance or resolution, according to County Attorney Don Steerman. Hemann said if the full amount is collected, the fund is expected to have $177,783 at the end of the year. $10K is budgeted for community service projects.
The Use Tax Fund, collected on construction materials and vehicle taxes, is applied to senior transportation and nutrition programs and Columbine Park. The total fund balance of $4.3M is enough to cover existing programs for 48 months.
Commissioner Jennifer O’Hearon said in talks with the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, the impact of the “Big Beautiful Bill” could reduce funds available, and stressed cautious planning going forward.
During the regular meeting of the board last Tuesday, commissioners heard a lengthy presentation from Enterprise Fleet Management’s Andrew Schmidt regarding potential savings for the county through a leasing program for county vehicles.
In regular business, the board approved a $49K contract for the county’s broadband program to refresh network switches in data centers and towers as they approach the end of warranty or end of service limitations, discussed the budget for security systems upgrades for county building in 2025, approved a Colorado Discretionary Aviation Grant (CDAG) for the ramp construction project at the Meeker Airport, expected to begin in August. According to Project Coordinator Eric Jaquez the county is funding one-third of the project, with the CDAG and the Federal Aviation Administration covering the remainder.
Jaquez also spoke to the Commissioners about a Department of Local Affairs grant with a $100K match from the county to expand the main office building at Columbine Park. Jaquez said bids came back “much higher than expected” and recommended withdrawing the grant request due to insufficient funds.
Commissioners also approved the annual grant from the Area Agency on Aging’s senior nutrition program, the annual agreement with the Forest Service for road work on the Buford/New Castle Road, and established the budget calendar, with the public hearing on the 2026 budget set for an evening meeting on Nov. 3.