RANGELY I The Rangely Board of Trustees conducted its Sept. 27, 2022, meeting with several discussions and questions, including input from Rangely School District Superintendent Matt Scoggins.
During public input, resident René Harden raised concerns about inconsistent street lighting on side streets and the progress on a manufactured home on Rangely Ave. These concerns were addressed by Mayor Andy Schaffer and Town Manager Lisa Piering. As of now, Piering informed Harden and the Board that the owners of the manufactured home cannot be found. True Value has been working on remediation work in the building, and until the Town can contact the owners, there isn’t much else that can be done. Piering additionally stated that the Town would post signage to warn youth not to play in or around the property.
Rangely School District Superintendent Matt Scoggins addressed the Board with updates from the school district. Scoggins highlighted revisions to simplify the District’s mission statement. Scoggins said the changes were inspired by the book “Soup: A Recipe to Create a Culture of Greatness” by Jon Gordon, in addition to the community’s and students’ needs. “Building Champions in Life” highlights the District’s desire to foster an educational foundation and potential while building on core values of hard work, respect, responsibility, confidence, trust, kindness, positivity and persistence. Each month, students will work to understand the meaning of these values and how they can participate and implement them into their character.
Piering asked Scoggins about recent social motivations to petition school districts to focus on education vs. morals. Scoggins addressed this concern with the fact that Rangely School District is under local control and will foster what is best for the children.
In addition, Scoggins defined the working relationship between the school district and the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District through a mill levy and athletics collaboration. Item 6A will be on the November ballot to extend the .75 mill for five years. Scoggins emphasized that this is not a new tax — it was secured in 2012 and continued again in 2017. This mill secures funding that would otherwise be sourced from the District’s general fund for Rangely students to access activities. Colorado’s average funding per student is approximately $2,000 lower than the national average — ranking at around 45th in the nation. The responsibility for financing critical investments in our youth and students lies on the District’s local taxpayers.
Through this funding, the school district supports the athletic department with coach stipends, hotels and meals, uniforms, and dues and fees. Transportation funding is sourced through the general fund, with only a portion of mileage reimbursed. The mill levy allows these programs to exist and provide healthy opportunities for students. Trustee Kyle Wren asked, “Is that enough?” The response from Scoggins was that no, it is not, but it is the beginning that allows opportunities to exist. Scoggins closed his presentation with an invitation for anyone with questions to visit his office at 402 E. Main Street at the Early Education Center; adding that his door is always open.
Updates to the agenda included discussion and action to approve two additions: a Memorandum of Understanding between CNCC and Rangely Police Department for the 2022-2023 academic year and a CCITF Grant to Rio Blanco County to secure the foundation at White River Village.
Committee and Board meetings:
At the meeting for the Rangely Development Authority and Rangely Development Corporation, the budget and goals for next year, including capital projects, were discussed. Piering said they gave their blessing towards the budget.
The Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado meeting focused on economic development. Piering, in collaboration with Town Engineer Jocelyn Mullen and Economic Development Coordinator Jeannie Caldwell, is working with members of the Vernal/Roosevelt communities for possible cooperative tourism efforts.
Rio Blanco County Commissioner Jennifer O’ Hearon explained the restructuring of department heads and directors to minimize who reports directly to the Commissioners. The top directors will report to the commissioners, while departments will report to their respective directors. The restructuring minimizes department reporters from 14 to six. County Attorney Don Steerman will direct County Administration, to include sales and use tax, human resources, budget and finance, Veteran’s Affairs, and provide oversight for public health and human services (DHS). Scott Marsh will lead Public Works, including weed pest pest, fairgrounds, landfill, and road and bridge. Leif Joy will manage Community Development. Eric Jaquez manages Facilities and Technology, including all IT and airports.
Conversations are still ongoing about relocating some county offices in Rangely. O’Hearon thanked the Board for the use of Town Hall for commissioner meetings on the third Tuesday of each month. There was some discussion between O’ Hearon and the Board regarding upcoming property tax changes due to Senate Bill 22-238 would reduce the property tax rate for commercial properties from 29% to 27.9% and lower the residential tax rate from 6.95% to 6.76% for the next two years.
New business discussed Resolution 2022-09, a resolution to opt out of the Family Medical Leave Insurance Program. The program allows government employees to pay into and receive benefits for family emergencies. FAMLI.colorado.gov describes the program: “Once FAMLI benefits become available to workers in January 2024, the program will ensure Colorado workers have access to paid leave when they face life circumstances that force them to choose between earning a paycheck or taking care of themselves or their family. Eligible employees may receive up to 12 weeks of leave. Those who experience pregnancy or childbirth complications may receive an additional four weeks.”
It’s important to note that FAMLI differs from the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The three main differences are:
- FAMLI is paid leave. FMLA is unpaid, job-protected leave.
- Employees working for a business of any size are eligible for FAMLI.
- Self employed workers are also eligible to opt into the FAMLI program. FMLA is available to employees of covered employers only.
The Board voted to allow the Town to opt out of this program. Piering noted that the current sick leave and short-term disability benefits are generous. If an employee desires to opt in, they still have the accessibility to do so.
The Board renewed Nichols Store’S liquor license and appointed Trustee Ron Granger to serve on the HR and Finance Committee.
The Board approved a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Colorado Northwestern Community College and the Rangely Police Department to help the working relationship between the two entities and establish boundaries. Trustee Granger volunteered his support for the MOU and the benefits to campus safety. Trustee Davidson raised concerns about police department staffing. Granger responded that regardless of the MOU if there is an incident with a student, the police department will be involved as the campus is within town limits.
The application for a CCTIF Grant to assist in securing the foundation at White River Village was approved. This project will be extensive, and the Town has secured the engineering recommendations to understand the scope and budget the costs. This application helps to ensure $80,000 for the project. The motion for the application was approved.
Trustee Don Davidson shared some notes from Coffee with a Cop, mainly about hiring in the police department and creating an initiative to recruit local youth to become police officers. Questions were brought up about transportation to the jail in Craig.
Piering notified the Board that the Headworks project is on temporary hold. It will not impact wastewater management. The Town is preparing for winterizing. Trustee Kyle Wren thanked the Town for their assistance with the sidewalk at Sunrise Park.
By KATIE KING | Special to The Herald Times
