On April 29, 2022 the Yuma County Board of County Commissioners convened for a regular meeting. Chairman Robin Wiley, Commissioner Trent Bushner, and Commissioner Scott Weaver were present.
Micah Seyler and Dave Blach of the Yuma County Fair Board met with the Commissioners to present the proposal for the beer garden at this year’s Yuma County Fair. Also present for the discussion were Sheriff Todd Combs and Undersheriff Larry Gilliland. The group reviewed various ideas and proposal components and the Sheriff and Commissioners established expectations and enforcement guidelines. The beer garden proposal was conditionally approved pending contract with the Knights of Columbus following a finalized proposal and map matching the discussion.
Yuma County Clerk and Recorder Bev Wenger presented a resolution formally approving the closure of the County Clerk’s Office on June 28, 2022 for conduction of the primary election, which was approved by the Commissioners.
Road & Bridge Supervisor Tom Andersen, Blade Foreman Justin Lorimer, and Truck Foreman Jeremy Lund met with the Commissioners to provide updates from the Road & Bridge Department. The group reviewed financial reports, discussed the potential acquisition of backup water tanks for projects due to the continued dry weather, reviewed project updates including County Roads LL.5, 54, and 42, and discussed fuel price contracting. The Commissioners approved an underground utility permit for Viaero Wireless to install fiber under County Road E at Hoag Avenue near Yuma.
The Commissioners convened as the Board of Social Services and heard department updates from Human Services Director Kara Hoover, Child Welfare and Adult Protection Supervisor Hollie Hillman, Eligibility Supervisor Dalene Rogers, Bookkeeper Melanie Fisher, and Administrative Assistant Asalia Bencomo. The group provided operational reports and discussed current legislative activities underway at the State. Also discussed were departmental staffing updates, including three vacancies for which the department is currently in the hiring process.
Dave Blach joined the Commissioners to present updates from the Colorado Agriculture Commission. Blach provided updates on current work and the group discussed communication channels between local needs and the State. Also discussed was the constitution of various State agriculture-related boards and committees and the Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture vacancy.
Land Use Administrator Colten Yoast provided office updates and presented a lot line adjustment for Kevin Dresen and James Unger, which was approved. Yoast reported on a meeting with Scout Energy regarding a potential wind farm south of Wray in the Vernon area and reported on an upcoming introductory meeting with NextERA Energy.
The Commissioners adjourned briefly to conduct interviews for posted vacancies in a work session and reconvened to resume regular business.
County Administrator Andrea Calhoon presented various operational updates including the lease of a pickup from Bonanza Ford for use by the Yuma County Fair Queens and various requests for fairgounds use including the Yuma FFA Kiddie Barnyard on May 11 and a tractor pull on June 4.
The Commissioners reviewed department reports including the May 2022 Veteran’s Service Officer Report and a controlled burn policy from Sheriff Todd Combs. Calhoon reported on the status of a community education CDL training program currently under development and reported on projects currently underway by the employee-driven Recruitment & Retention Committee.
