Resolution authorizing Administrator's employment rescinded by Phillips County Board of Commissioners at most recent meeting

The Phillips County Commissioners voted to rescind a motion authorizing employment with Pam Jenson as Phillips County Administrator last month. The resolution authorizing employment for Jensen had been approved just 10 days earlier.

During a re-organization meeting on Jan. 12, Phillips County Commissioners Terry Hofmeister, Garold Roberts and Tom Timm, all voted to appoint Jensen as County Administrator for the 2021 calendar year. That motion requires a resolution, marking the second of the new year for the County.

However, just 10 days later, on Jan. 22, the trio of Commissioners announced that the resolution was rescinded and that Jensen was no longer employed by Phillips County.

During a month end meeting with members of the press, Hofmeister, Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, announced that long-time administration employee Laura Schroetlin would assume the duties as administrator as of Jan. 28.

Schroetlin has previously served as deputy administrator and held other various positions in the administration offices since 2010.

Throughout the month of January, the Commissioners also discussed a vacancy left by Bob Heldenbrand as Emergency Manager. Heldenbrand announced his resignation late last year. Heldenbrand was given a short-term contract through Jan. 10 and in the meantime, Jensen and Hofmeister have been filling in when necessary for duties as emergency manager. Since Jensen is no longer with the County, Hofmeister is since assuming those duties along with newly elected commissioners Roberts and Timm.

“It will take several weeks to fill the position as the County seeks interested applicants while determining whether to leave the position as a contractor or add the Emergency Manager as an employee,” Hofmeister said.

Hofmeister said all three of the Commissioners bring background in emergency management to the table and will be all hands on deck until the position is filled. Applications are being accepted until Feb. 5.

County Chairman Hofmeister announced efforts by Phillips County to submit required paperwork to move Phillips County down to yellow from orange on the Colorado COVID-19 dial. Hofmeister said the Commissioners are working with local hospitals as well as the Northeast Colorado Health Department to submit the necessary paperwork to show numbers in Phillips County allow for a step-down on the dial.

According to Hofmeister, those requests are determined on Tuesdays and the County will know more in the coming week.

In other business the Commissioners:

• Approved 2021 fees including those for the event center, Bank of Colorado Pavilion, planning and zoning, road and bridge, Harvest Park campground, fairground facilities, Homesteaders’ Park and the landfill;

• Discussed Pavilion rental for a Showdown on the Plains event, rental of the facility was approved for $1,500 for five days;

• Approved a 2021 raceway agreement with Joe Bellm and B&B Investments;

• Appointed several county residents to fill vacancies on various boards including Jeanette Kingman on the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment for a five-year term; Matt Kleve to the Board of Adjustments for a three-year term; Chris Fuesz to the Board of Adjustments for a three-year term; McKenzie Fleharty to the E-911 Board for a four-year term; Ron Carpenter to the Communications Board for a two-year term; and Austin Tharp, Doug Larson and Teonna McCabe to the Fair Board, all three-year terms.

• Approved a small business grant in the amount of $2,500 to the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce and a $5,000 small business grant to the Crossed Eyed/Inklings when re-opened, both at the recommendation of the grant committee;

• Heard from Kayla Kafka requiring the 2021 Phillips County Fair. According to Kafka, due to vendor problems, a midway carnival will not be available this year. Instead, the Phillips County Fair Board would like to schedule a raceway event on July 23 with Bellm that would allow Bellm to run the race, but give the Fair Board the gate and beer sales. Kafka was directed to contact Bellm to see if he would be interested in doing so;

• Approved step increases for the following County employees: Assessor Appraiser Toby Thompson, Account Payable Clerk Debbie Bennett, Clerk Deputy Val Danielson, Deputy Treasurer Shelia Gift; Maintenance employee Lonny Vernon; Victim’s Advocate Kelley Sullivan; Communications Clerk Paolo Mallari; and Event Center Reservationist Carrie Anderson. Additionally, all full-time employees received a $136 per month pay increase and all part-time employees will receive a prorated amount.