Commissioners eye pending legislation, policy considerations

Renewable energy, migrants and dispatchers were on the Phillips County Board of Commissioners’ radar at the last two of its three February meetings. Board chairman Terry Hofmeister, who serves on the Colorado Counties, Inc. legislative committee, reported at the Feb. 16 meeting that it appears the State wants to control more matters having to do with renewable energy. He gave an example that would implicate local land use codes, such as prescribing set-backs on installations. A related bill has not yet been introduced but he’ll watch for action on this within the current legislative session.

While meeting with DHS Director, Lori Lundgren, discussion was had about the possibility of migrants from the Front Range making their way out to the area because of the influx of migrants from the United States southern border being bussed to Denver. Although it is unlikely that any would be intentionally sent to Phillips County since there is already a housing shortage, Lundgren was aware that there was a recent influx of Venezuelans in Yuma that churches were helping to reach out to, and that the Wray schools had admitted six Guatemalans this year.

Hofmeister shared at the Feb. 29 board meeting that the Northeast Colorado Health Department Regional Board recently discussed the need for management strategies should an influx of migrants occur. Hofmeister had a copy of a policy shared by one of the Denver area county health departments to address things like screening for immunizations. The board acknowledged that it was best to be proactive. It will continue to consult Lundgren and study the policy to see if Phillips County should adopt something similar to it.

Communications Center Director, Sara Kumm, met with the board to discuss House Bill 24-1016. The Bill reclassifies emergency communications personnel as First Responders. Kumm reported that the Bill already passed both the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s signature.

The board addressed a variety of other matters at the Feb. 16 meeting beginning with Mayor Mike Ensminger, Town of Haxtun, who informed the board that the Town now owns the old hospital building that also once operated as the Drake Mercantile. This two-story building with a basement, located on Main Street, holds a large number of items and debris that are destined for the landfill. The board approved Ensminger’s request for support by waiving landfill fees for six months from the first load, to be extended if needed,and to supply a roll-off dumpster if needed and available.

During the meeting, the board held a public hearing to consider a subdivision request from Michael Roll to sell approximately 10.01 acres of his property which could then be a future build site. No one else was present to offer comments. The board approved the request.

The board met with Darlene Carpio of U.S. Representative Ken Buck’s office. She provided updates on Buck’s priorities during this last year of his congressional service.

Jessie Ruiz, Jr., and Father Jerry Rohr also met with the board. They requested that their Bridge Foundation-sponsored Event Center rental agreement for an April 19 event be extended by one hour to end at 1 a.m. instead of midnight. Although the board did not approve this request, it did approve their request for use of alcohol at the event with certain conditions met.

County Administrator Andrew Nygaard informed the board that he will request the Eastern Transportation Planning Region to extend, through June 2025, the use of a portion of the funds from the Multi-model Transportation and Mitigations Option Fund grant.

The board had a phone call discussion with Carrie Anderson, Event Center Reservationist, about a situation whereas a patron rented the BOC Pavilion for an activity that turned out to be an event that would have been charged a higher fee. The board authorized Anderson to collect the additional amount owed.

Andrea McCallum was appointed to serve out the remainder of a term to expire June 30, 2024 on the Northeast Colorado Regional EMS/Trauma Advisory Council. Kyle Van Pelt and Rebecca Van Pelt were each appointed to fill a three-year term on the Phillips County Fair Board.

At the Feb. 29 board meeting, a public hearing was held to consider a subdivision exemption request from Brian Ortner to divide a parcel of property into two new sections, both of which would be sold for future build sites. Neither Ortner nor other members of the public were present to offer comments. The board approved the request.

Several in-person appointments began with Weed and Pest Manager, Kerry Doleshall. He briefed the commissioners about some upcoming variations to his work schedule.

The board approved a request from Kelley Sullivan, on behalf of the Jolly Dozen Club, to receive the same discounted rental rate as last year for the Holly Daze Craft & Fair to be held at the Event Center.

Gary Engels, the contractor overseeing the county’s gun range, met with the board to discuss improvements to be made at the range. He can repurpose scrap materials that are located at the landfill. The board advised Engels to coordinate the hauling of the materials with landfill manager, Bill Andrews, and maintenance supervisor, Lonnie Vernon.

The board visited by phone with Joe Bellm of BST Racing regarding his ideas for adding a go-cart track to the Phillips County Raceway. The board requested more detailed information about the location he has in mind.

Several home-schooled students and their parents kept their appointment with the board while on a field trip to visit county offices in the courthouse. The Commissioners answered the students’ questions about the board’s roles and responsibilities and described a few of the county administrative operations.

The board approved the purchase of 252 cutting edges, used on road graders, for the cost of $20,805.12.

The board also decided to pursue having an appraisal done on some county-owned property in Amherst.