County Commissioners appoint new chairman; retain emergency mgr.

Following the regular Jan. 9 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board convened its usual reorganization meeting that occurs at the start of each new year. As its first item of business, the board appointed Terry Hofmeister to serve as chairman for 2024. His term follows Garold Roberts who served as chair in 2023. Roberts followed Tom Timm who held the seat in 2022.

The board then adopted nine resolutions having to do with county administrative matters for 2024. Resolutions established county operations, official holidays for the year and appointed which commissioners would serve on various state, regional and county boards and committees; affirmed named employees and appointments; set salaries and wages for county employees; designated office hours; authorized signers on behalf of the board of county commissioners; authorized the county treasurer to deposit and invest funds; authorized the board’s named appointments to named local and regional boards; authorized the provision of employee health and life insurance; and, approved the county’s fees and charges for eleven different county services.

During the Jan. 9 regular business meeting, the board held discussions with four individuals, received updates on pending matters and addressed several other business items.

Phillips County Emergency Manager, Broc Pelle, updated the board on his work, the Emergency Management Planning Grant and needs that required the board’s authorization and signature. The board authorized the chairman to sign the authorization for the EMPG’s award agreement and authorized Pelle to act as the grant administrator and to have signing authority on the grant’s related fiscal reports. The board approved the 2024 contract between the County and Pelle as the county emergency manager. It also approved Pelle’s job description for 2024, as presented.

The board had a phone conference with Joe Bellm, contractor for use of the Phillips County Raceway. Bellm asked for consideration to install a children’s go-cart racetrack nearby the existing track. The board requested Bellm to provide more details about what he had in mind which he agreed to do. Bellm’s 2024 contract and proposed PRC race schedule were approved.

During the public comment segment, County Assessor Doug Kamery shared his thoughts about the county salary schedule and a concern that it does not always meet its partial intent to award longevity when employees at the top grade are not eligible for pay raises.

Steve Brown, chairman of the Phillips County Republican Party, informed the board about plans to host a candidate forum of Congressional District 4 candidates at the Event Center on March 3. It will be a regional event to include the Sedgwick and Yuma counties’ Republicans. Brown asked for consideration of a discount on the rental agreement for the entire Event Center since the Ortner Room was not available for their use that day. Later in the meeting as a New Business item, the board agreed to a $50 discount.

Additional New Business items included the commissioners updating each other on work assigned to each of them.

Commissioner Roberts, on behalf of the Holyoke Housing Authority board, confirmed that technical assistance was still being provided by a consultant with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority regarding the eventual building of more units at Sunset View. It appears possible that a site survey and a market study can be conducted with CHFA’s assistance.

Commissioner Timm reported that the updates to the archway sign at the fairground’s entrance are nearing completion. Its installation is anticipated to be prior to the Showdown on the Plains cattle show on Jan. 26.

Commissioner Hofmeister informed the board about a 2024 ballot measure to prohibit slaughterhouses in the City/County of Denver. This could potentially close a 70-year-old employee-owned slaughterhouse in Denver. Colorado Counties, Inc. requested letters of support for it to not be closed. The board approved the letter from the Phillips County Commissioners opposing the November 2024 ballot measure to prohibit slaughterhouses in Denver.

Additional actions taken at the Jan. 9 regular meeting included:

• The board’s willingness to accept sealed bids for portable lights until 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18 and to open the bids at the Jan. 19 board meeting;

• The approval to pay the invoice submitted by Simon Contractors for work completed to date on the Courthouse Sidewalk Project in the amount of $267,290.93, to be reimbursed by grant funds;

• Road and Bridge Manager Mike Salyards’ request to purchase a 2024 Caterpillar 950GC Wheel Loader from Wagner Equipment for $309,785;

• County Clerk Beth Zilla’s request to move an employee to a new pay grade and step level; and

• Approval of the annual CDOT/Highway Users Tax Fund report as presented.

Administrator Nygaard gave an update on a letter of support for a regional grant application requested by the NE Colorado’s Association of Local Government’s grant writer. Nygaard is to obtain additional information about the grant before deciding to sign the letter or not.