On August 29, 2024 at 8 a.m., the Yuma County Board of Commissioners met in regular session. Chairman Mike Leerar, Commissioner Scott Weaver, Commissioner Adam Gates, and Administrator Brandi Ritchey were present throughout the day.
The Commissioners reviewed and signed accounts payable and discussed various meetings attended throughout the prior month.
County Administrator, Brandi Ritchey joined the Commissioners at 8:15 a.m. to present for signature the Special Events Permit for the Vernon Community Center and get signature on the County Liquor License for Kirk Super LLC that was approved during the August 16, 2024 meeting. The permit was approved by unanimous vote.
Road & Bridge Supervisor Tom Andersen and Blade Foreman Justin Lorimer joined the meeting at 8:30 a.m. to provide department updates. The group reviewed a quote for a maintainer trade. After discussion the commissioners asked Anderson to ask for a quote from another dealership. The group reviewed the current budget figures to date. Ritchey stated that there will be an increase in revenue after posting in the Specific Ownership Tax lines. Lorimer presented an updated fleet intelligence report to show efficiencies between the equipment operators. The Commissioners expressed their gratitude in the improvements that have been made in blade operator efficiencies. Lorimer provided an update on work being done on roads throughout the county. The crew finished working out of the Homm Pit and have moved the loader to the Deterding Pit. More work has been done on a test section of road getting chemical worked in and dried out to see if it helps sustain the road. Andersen said the road is very solid in the places where the chemical has dried. Harvest will determine if the test material had an impact on maintaining the quality of the roads. The group discussed job applications and the sale of a couple of unused pickups.
The Board of County Commissioners convened as the Board of Social Services at 9:30 a.m. Human Services Director Kara Hoover and Administrative Assistant Lori Summers were present. Detailed minutes of the Board of Social Services are maintained separately by the Department of Human Services. The Board of County Commissioners reconvened at 10:30 a.m.
At 10:30 a.m., the Yuma County Planning Commission joined the Commissioners. Present were Land Use Administrator Jodi Brady, Jeff Weaver, Lynn Hagemeier, Cindy Taylor and Ronn Akey. The group discussed the possibility of quarterly meetings, as well as the role of the Planning Commission when communicating with the BOCC. All agreed that better communication is the key.
Administrator Brandi Ritchey reviewed calls, correspondence, and presented the following for discussion and action:
The Commissioners reviewed and approved the minutes from the previous BOCC meetings; the monthly CDMVA report and two salary authorizations for the Landfill. The Commissioners discussed departmental updates including ETPR Administration and business undertaken by the 911 Authority Board.
Ritchey presented correspondence from the Yuma Public library, and the group reviewed three letters of interest for various board openings. Additionally, a request was made for a letter of support for the Yuma District Hospital, which is seeking a grant to enhance its current infrastructure. After discussion, Harold Blackham, Dave Blach and Justin Crossland were appointed to the Fair Board, and Ashley Hurlburt to the Yuma County Economic Development Corp by unanimous vote. The group also approved the letter of support for the Yuma Hospital.
Ritchey has prepared the Department Head memo and capital project request forms for the BOCC to review regarding the upcoming 2025 budget. The group discussed the limited revenue growth projected for the upcoming fiscal year that will greatly impact the 2025 budget.
County Land Use Administrator, Jodi Brady was heard at 1 p.m. to review Land Use and GIS business and conduct Land Use Hearings. Members from the public were also present. Details on the public hearing are available from Land Use office.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners will be on September 16, 2024.