On February 27 at 8 a.m., the Yuma County Board of Commissioners met in regular session. Chairman Adam Gates, Commissioner Scott Weaver, Commissioner Mike Leerar, 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 County Retail Liquor License for Jo’s Liquor LLC DBA Jo’s Liquor. The license was approved by unanimous vote.
Road & Bridge Supervisor Tom Andersen joined the meeting at 8:30 a.m. to provide department updates.
The group had discussion regarding railroad crossing repairs that BNSF is planning. The group discussed the responsibilities of BNSF’s right-of-way and Yuma County’s right-of-way. The group was joined by a representative from BNSF on a phone call to discuss this issue. BNSF would like the county to provide asphalt patching up to the new crossings and traffic control. BNSF stated that it will take about 3-5 days per crossing. The commissioners noted that having a crossing closed for that long would be a concern. BNSF does not have a specific timeframe of when these projects will start.
Andersen updated the group on a blade repair and maintenance crew projects including work on a county owned house and preparing for mowing season.
Anderson would like to hire contracted trucks to rebuild roads this spring and summer. Weaver would like the maintenance crew to work on cleaning the culverts
The group reviewed a budget report and discussed multiple lines including tires, fuel and capital outlay.
Andersen provided a road report. The blade crew is currently hauling material in the Y-5 area along with making repairs to County Road M between County Road 41 and County Road 42. After those repairs are made the crew will start ripping and relaying material on County Road 42.
County Land Use Administrator Jodi Brady, DOLA representative Greg Etl, and County Attorney Wilson Scarbeary joined the Commissioners at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the Comprehensive Plan. Wilson highlighted that statutory laws require County Comprehensive Plans to include water studies and strategic growth elements. Greg Etl noted that it is not uncommon for counties to have outdated plans. While DOLA is willing to assist with funding, it mandates that counties adopt specific regulations within the comprehensive plan, including an emergency plan and housing regulations. Etl recommended contacting other agencies to determine if they have funding to contribute towards the estimated $160,000.00 cost of the update. Wilson suggested that some form of an amendment needs to be done by at least 2026.
The Board of County Commissioners convened as the Board of Social Services at 10:30 a.m. Human Services Director Kara Hoover, Administrative Assistant Lori Summers and Bookkeeper Melanie Fisher 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 11:30 a.m.
At 11:30 a.m. the Commissioners were joined by the Yuma County Treasurer Chrystal Hammond and Yuma County Sheriff Todd Combs to discuss the ongoing issue with the delinquent taxes owed by Omimex. The group discussed issues with wording in statute that is prohibiting Combs from making progress on serving either a warrant or summons on this case.
At 1 p.m. A Yuma couple joined the Commissioners to discuss a waterline issue. They need to run a waterline from one property to another, three miles because of insufficient amounts of water on their property. This line would cross other parties’ properties. The county has determined that there is no deeded right-of-way from the property owners to Yuma County. The county cannot make a decision on this issue due to the lack of the right-of-way.
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; approved resolutions transferring interest income and signatories on a bank account. The monthly CDMVA report was approved as well as an agreement with Bonanza Ford for a pickup for the fair queen program. A grant with Colorado Parks and Wildlife was approved for the Assessor’s office, as well as a contract between Drakes Towing and the Sheriff’s Office.
The Commissioners received updates on the CAPP and CWCP. Ritchey reported on the progress of the 2024 Hail Claim, along with a CAPP claim and a Work Comp claim.
The Commissioners received various department reports including an update on the administration of the Eastern Transportation Planning Region, discussion of business undertaken by the 911 Authority Board. Additionally, the Commissioners addressed an invoice from CTSI related to administrative charges on run-out claims. The group discussed an Invoice from the City of Yuma for the installation of a transformer at the Yuma County Fairgrounds. A motion to pay the invoice passed on a 2-1 vote with Commissioner Weaver voting against.
Ritchey provided an update on the correspondence received since the last meeting, which included discussions about cyber security. The counties IT company stated that if Yuma County joined Washington-Yuma Combined Communications, along with the City of Yuma and Wray, the cost of cyber security services could be reduced. Additionally, Ritchey discussed the ticket prices for the 2025 Rodeo at the Yuma County Fair, confirming that grandstand seating will remain at $17, while infield tickets will be priced at $20.
At 2:30 the Commissioners virtually joined other members of CCI, Colorado Department of Human Services and Early Childhood to learn more about the allocation of funds for child welfare, the Colorado Childcare Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to learn about Human Services funding.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5 p.m. The next regular meetings of the Board of County Commissioners will be on March 12, 2025.