MEEKER | In an informational work session prior to the May 17 meeting, former Meeker Town Manager Sharon Day spoke to Meeker trustees and staff about the history of CCITF (County Capital Improvement Trust Fund) financing and how the fund was used to benefit the county, towns, and special districts.
CCITF came from energy impacts related to oil shale development—not natural gas or the Rangely oil field. The state initially controlled the funds, but the Western Slope banded together and put pressure on the state to return the dollars to the impacted counties.
Day outlined the process used to allocate funds in the early days of CCITF, which included an advisory group, a biannual grant cycle, and public hearings who made recommendations on projects before a decision was made. The application process itself required a budget, an audit and a four-year capital plan. According to Day, that process remained in place until the early 2000s.
“The guidelines, the rules, the statutes are the rails that keep government from going off track,” Day said.
CCITF distributions have come into focus recently since RBC Commissioners approved a $4 million allocation to the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District for additional studies on the Rio Blanco Water Supply Project this spring. The allocation raised questions about the purpose of CCITF and the process for distribution of funds to special districts and entities.
In the regular meeting, trustees:
- approved a liquor license for Meekerpalooza events
- approved a resubdivision for Escondido Minor Subdivision that will create two residential lots of 10.1 and 12.7 acres
- approved a $1,500 donation for Range Call
- heard a request from the Meeker International Ecology Program for $2,500 to help cover the cost of an educational trip to Belize in 2023 for Meeker High School students. Progam director Ann Franklin said the students will study bats and the second largest coral reef in the world, as well as experience “cultural immersion” into the Creole culture.
Town Manager Mandi Etheridge updated the board regarding citizen concerns brought before trustees earlier this year about snow plowing, signage, and traffic on Water Street around Second and Third.
Etheridge said she has met with the citizens a couple of times to figure out how to alleviate their concerns. “It [citizen concerns] didn’t just fall on deaf ears,” Etheridge said.
In staff updates, Etheridge shared disappointing news with the board regarding the town’s Office of Just Transition grant application. The town’s application was “partially funded” in the amount of $34.5K to go toward the remaining buildout of the chamber expansion and tech/AV upgrades. Funding requested for a business development center or business retention/expansion grants was not awarded.
Etheridge was told the application was not fully funded because the first round of OJT grants was “extremely flexible and used to support broader projects.” Reportedly, additional funding is coming later this year, and the town has been encouraged to reapply.
By NIKI TURNER – editor@editorht1885.com
