PC Commissioners approve regulations

In addition to approving the final draft of Phillips County wind energy regulations, the County Commissioners also renewed several contracts and requests throughout the month of November as well as granted requests for purchases and employment modifications. The Commissioners presented information at an end of the month press briefing with both County newspapers.

In November, the Phillips County Commissioners voted unanimously in favor of a resolution and regulations governing the placement of wind energy facilities with in the County. Previously the Commissioners had placed a moratorium on wind energy facilities, or wind farms, which recently expired at the end of October.

Residents packed the Commissioners’ chambers at the Phillips County Courthouse last month, asking the trio of County leaders to postpone the decision to permit wind energy facilities in the County to allow more time for community input.

Despite the requests, the Commissioners went through with a vote that will allow construction the wind energy facilities within reason of regulations set forth by the County. A portion of those regulations includes a 2,500 setback from any occupied dwelling.

The final regulatory document is a lengthily 24 pages long and can be found on the County’s website phillipscounty.colorado.gov under Departments, County Commissioners and Resolutions and Ordinances.

In a mid-November meeting, the Commissioners approved a request from Sheriff Thom Elliott to extend an offer of provisional employment to Emali Torres and to place her on step one of grade 16 on the pay scale. According to the Commissioners, Torres will attend the post academy with intentions to return to Phillips County for employment with the Sheriff’s Office.

Currently the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office is down two road deputies. Additionally, Sheriff Elliott is currently facing health issues that has limited some of his time with the department. In the meantime, Deputy Michael Beard has been on staff and Colorado Department of Wildlife Officer Jack Weiland assists when necessary.

In other business the Commissioners:

• As many other municipalities and local boards in the County have, the Commissioners opted to a joint resolution to decline the participation of the District Attorney’s Office in the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. The resolution also includes the counties of Kit Carson, Logan, Morgan, Sedgwick, Washington and Yuma.

• Approved Maintenance Supervisor Lonny Vernon’s request to move Brandon Markert to step two of grade 20 on the pay scale.

• Approved an amended B&B Investments 2023 Phillips County Raceway Schedule. The 2023 racing season is set to kick off on Friday, April 28 at the Phillips County Raceway. The schedule includes nine races at the local track including a Fair race on July 28.

• Approved a request from Vernon to purchase a Walker MH27i mower from Kurtzer’s for $11,976 to be taken out of the 2023 budget.

• Approved a request from the Food Bank of the Rockies to renew the annual contract with Phillips County to run their mobile food pantry in the County in 2023.

• Approved a request from Road and Bridge Manager Mike Salyards to move Beau Waln to step 6 of scale 16 on the pay scale.

• Approved a request from County Administrator Laura Schroetlin to reclassify Andrew Nygaard as Deputy Administrator/Planner and to be placed on step 3 of grade 26 on the pay scale.