County commissioners updated on federal election & state legislation

The Nov. 8 and Nov. 17 Phillips County Board of County Commissioners meetings included opportunities to hear from individuals who navigate the fluctuating policy and political climates in the normal course of business.

At the Nov. 8 meeting, Darlene Carpio, the regional director from Congressman Ken Buck’s Colorado office, discussed Representative Buck’s recent announcement that he would not seek another term. She emphasized that Buck would still take care of business as usual in 2024, adding that House Speaker Mike Johnson has prioritized the passage of the Farm Bill. It is expected that there will be staff turnover in Buck’s Washington D.C. and Colorado district offices when his successor is elected but to what degree remains to be seen. Therefore, the commissioners won’t know if they will have to establish new relationships with district office staff or if Carpio would be retained by the next U. S. representative. In the meantime, she will continue her periodic visits at board meetings to keep the commissioners informed of developments and federal legislation priorities.

At the Nov. 17 meeting, Phillips County Assessor Doug Kamery discussed the complexities of potential scenarios for property valuations, assessment rates and revenue estimates in light of Colorado voters rejecting Proposition HH. That same morning the state legislature would be introducing property tax-related bills in its special session called for by Governor Jared Polis. Kamery would be tracking the passage of bills that will determine how property values will be assessed going forward.

At the Nov. 8 meeting, Road and Bridge Manager, Mike Salyards, announced that railroad workers had just arrived in town. They would be working at 23 county road crossings. A couple sites are between Holyoke and Haxtun with the bulk of them along Highway 23 between Holyoke and Venango, Neb.

Action taken on Nov. 8 included approvals for the following proposed actions:

• Provide in-kind work for the Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative, amounting to 50 semi-loads of fill dirt and the use of a county roll-off dumpster for trash removal during the construction process, for a period of time not to exceed 18 months;

• The subdivision exemption request submitted by the Thomas J. Tuell Irrevocable Income-Only Trust to divide a tract of approximately 5.7 acres from 131.71 acres in the NW 1/4 of Section 15, Township 7 North, Range 44 West;

• Appoint Steve Starkebaum to a five-year term on the Phillips County Board of Adjustment, effective Jan. 1, 2024, and expiring on Dec. 31, 2028; and,

• The request from Colorado State University Extension Agent Stephanie Starkebaum to move an employee to GN Grade 24 Step 3, effective Nov. 4, 2023.

The board also reviewed the landfill groundwater monitoring report and recommended ongoing monitoring to check for any changes in Volatile Organic Compounds levels.

At the Nov. 17 meeting, decision items focused mostly on board appointments and personnel matters. The board approved the following proposed actions:

• Appoint Ron Carpenter to the E-911 board;

• Re-appoint Jeanette Kingman to the Planning Commission;

• Appoint Lea White to the Phillips County Economic Development board;

• The request of County Treasurer, Steve Young, to hire Crystal Oakley as Deputy Treasurer effective Dec. 1;

• The request by Sheriff Michael Beard for a step increase for a deputy reaching his first six-month benchmark; and

• Accept the $5,500 bid from Junior’s Handyman Service to install a door and build a petition wall on the third floor of the courthouse. This work is to create a new office space and would be included in the 2024 budget.

On the grounds that more specific detail is needed, the board tabled a Roadway Occupancy Agreement between Zion Farms and Thompson Electric having to do with an electrical service line crossing county roads.