On August 31, 2023 at 8 a.m., the Yuma County Board of Commissioners met in regular session. Chairman Scott Weaver, Commissioner Mike Leerar, 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.
Road & Bridge Supervisor Tom Andersen joined the meeting at 8:30 a.m. to provide department updates. Andersen presented a salary authorization for signature for a new hire joining the maintenance crew. The group discussed progress on mowing operations. Anderson presented the efficiency report for the blade crews. Other discussions included completed and pending road repairs, rates for contract drivers and 2023-2024 propane prices.
The Board of County Commissioners convened as the Board of Social Services at 9:30 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 10:30 a.m.
At 10:30 a.m., Yuma County Sheriff Todd Combs, Office Manager Stacy Zinc and Kris Jones met with the commissioners. The group discussed the salary increase request for jail deputies. The Commissioners asked for an updated job descriptions and salary authorizations to review before moving forward. The group also discussed bench warrants needing to be served in Eckley. Court security was also a topic of discussion. Sheriff Combs will evaluate his staffing model and decide whether or not to keep deputies available to run court security. County Administrator, Brandi Ritchey is going to schedule a meeting with the county attorney to start the discussion of creating an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) between the municipalities and the county for jail transportation.
At 11 a.m. the commissioners heard from Jeff Schannals and Keriann Josh from Northeast Colorado Regional EMS/Trauma Advisory Council. Yuma County processes the payroll for NCRETAC. There will be a staffing change in the organization, adding another position in 2024. and NCRETAC asked if Yuma County will still be interested in processing the payroll. The BOCC does not see any issues with the continuation of processing NCRETAC’s payroll.
At 1:30 p.m. the commissioners met with a group to discuss gravel pit operations. Discussions involved lease end dates as well as boundaries of the mined area. The group agreed on boundaries and will discuss lease end dates further and schedule another meeting.
At 2 p.m., the commissioners heard from Yuma County Fairgrounds Manager, Carmen Murray. The group discussed repairs and maintenance that had been done and related equipment needs. They also discussed possible spraying of the fairgrounds grass areas, and fuel and gravel. The commissioners agreed to pay an individual for contract maintenance work.
At 1:30 p.m. the commissioners met with Maintenance Sergeant Travis Dinsmore. The group looked over and discussed numerous bids for air conditioning units for county buildings. Dinsmore is going to get warranty information for the units that were bid to ensure that the best unit is purchased. The commissioner’s asked Dinsmore to put any major upcoming equipment repairs in his 2024 maintenance budget.
At 2:52 p.m., Commissioner Leerar moved to enter into Executive Session for discussion of specialized details of security arrangements or investigations under C.R.S. Section 24-6-402(4)(d); Commissioner Gates seconded the motion; it passed by unanimous vote. Present for executive session were Chairman Weaver, Commissioner Leerar, Commissioner Gates, Finance Officer Sarah Carwin and Fairgrounds Manager Carmen Murray. Executive session ended at 3:18 p.m. No action was taken following executive session.
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 Board heard information on pending CAPP and workers’ compensation claims. The group discussed an ongoing Workers Compensation Claim and hail damage from the recent storms. The commissioners reviewed and approved signatures and multiple documents. 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 and the review from Mission Critical Partners for equipment upgrades and the Broadband BEAD Program. The commissioners made reappointments to the W-Y Communications Board and fair board. Ritchey provided project updates on the sale of a county owned property in Wauneta. Bids for the house will be reviewed at the September 14, 2024 BOCC meeting. Ritchey gave the Commissioners an update on the County Swag Store that opened temporarily for employees. There were 38 orders and 57 items sold. Ritchey presented correspondence received since the last meeting. Among discussion was the CCI Legislative Committee Designation. Justin Lorimer reported on a LTAP class that was held at the Yuma County Fairgrounds and Road and Bridge Supervisor gave the commissioners an update on damage to Truck 705. Andersen will get an estimate done for repairs.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:12 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was September 14, 2023.