Commissioners met in Meeker instead of Rangely Tuesday due to inclement weather and road conditions.
In regular business, the board approved a letter of opposition to Colorado House Bill 24-1270. The proposed bill, which has been introduced and assigned to the Business Affairs and Labor committee, would create a requirement for gun owners to maintain liability insurance and require insurers to make coverage available in homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies for damages resulting from accidental or unintentional discharge of a firearm.
Among other items, commissioners also approved:
Increasing the amount of non-county entity sales and service share for weed and pest spraying from $30/hour to $50/hour. Weed and Pest Control District Director Jane Turnburke said the change is not for internal county offices and will mostly affect federal services.
Approved the purchase of a new tractor/mower for $82K used for mowing the sides of the road for RBC Road and Bridge.
Approved the purchase of new John Deere Gator for the weed and pest department for $9K.
Issued an opinion approving the Conrado/Cemetery District Property Line Adjustment. “They’re just fixing property lines to match lines of occupation,” Betty Kracht explained.
Approved agreement with Civic Forum Associates, Big Horn Consulting Engineers, and SGM, Inc. for architectural and engineering services to “kick off the renovation” of the county’s Columbine Park Office in Rangely.
Considered and approved applying for a 2024-25 court security grant that recurs annually. This year’s grant would replace a current metal detector. The grant is a non-mat
Approved aerial pesticide spraying bid to Mountain Air Spray Co. Craig for $45K, and bids to Osborne Industries for $70K and Ebbesen Environmental Svcs. for $70K for hand spraying projects.
Approved resolutions adopting the 2024 county fee schedule, an amended procurement policy, and extending the moratorium on wind and solar projects.
Interim County Administrator Larry Jones updated the board on an email from the district attorney’s office about a shortfall in the budget of $2,700. The DA’s office has returned unspent funds to the board for the last three years, and commissioners agreed to wait until the end of the year instead of doing a supplemental budget.
Commissioner Jennifer O’Hearon said they are working on a county resolution similar to the one passed in the Town of Rangely that would allow the county to ask migrants if they are legal residents and to deny access to services if they aren’t. The Department of Human Services is currently not allowed to ask that question. A special meeting has been scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday to discuss the resolution and allow for public comment.
Jones said they are working on a policy to accept or not accept private roads which they anticipate presenting at the next regular meeting.
Following commissioner updates, the board went into executive session to discuss personnel matters with the interim county administrator to discuss that position and the expectations of the commissioners.
