County prepares for new year; value up $2.4M
Phillips County has entered the new year, and the board of county commissioners adopted the 2022 budget last month, which totals $9,058,355 in appropriations.
The budget includes:
General Fund — $3,899,940
Road and Bridge — $3,075,778
Human Services — $567,745
Capital Expenditure — $450,350
Conservation Trust — $42,898
Ambulance Fund — $76,972
Unemployment Fund — $30,977
E911 Fund — $157,167
Economic Development — $81,865
American Recovery Act — $674,663
Total Approp. — $9,058,355
In addition to adopting the budget, commissioners certified a levy of 28.314 mills, including 21.984 mills for general operating expenses (21.95 for the general operating purposes and 0.034 for abatement/tax refund), 3.73 for road and bridge, 1.6 for human services and 1 for capital expenditure.
The county’s 2021 value, as reported by the county assessor, is $100,458,180, which is up $2,416,440 from 2020.
Quotes approved for Harvest Park RV Campground
Last month, commissioners approved the use of American Recovery Plan Act funds for upgrades at the Harvest Park recreational vehicle campground.
The approved quotes were from Fetzer Electric LLP for $16,850 for electrical upgrades and from Blochowitz Ditching Inc. for $41,047.42 for sewer upgrades.
Although the commissioners do not have an estimated time frame on when work will begin since delays in getting materials still abound, they said the goal is to try to get the project finished by the end of June in time for Phillips County Fair.
Chamber to manage pavilion concessions stand
Commissioners approved Holyoke Chamber of Commerce to manage the concessions stand at Bank of Colorado Pavilion.
The chamber will now facilitate the concessions stand if an event organizer chooses to have concessions. In the past, some organizers elected not to have concessions since they had to manage it themselves, so the commissioners said this a win-win situation.
The effort will be coordinated with Phillips County Event Center/Bank of Colorado Pavilion reservationist Carrie Anderson.
Appointments made
Commissioners approved several appointments last month. They reappointed Josh Larson and Kayla Kafka to the Phillips County Fair Board and appointed Lindsey Boerner and Gary McCallum to the two open positions on the board.
Other appointments took effect Jan. 1 and are as follows:
— Jeremy Kilpatrick, two-year term as the Phillips County Veterans Service Officer.
— Martin Olofson and Charley Triplette, three-year terms on the Phillips County Weed and Pest Board.
— Keith Sagehorn, five-year term on the Phillips County Planning Commission.
— John Heermann, six-year term on the West Phillips County Cemetery District Board.
— Elton Olofson, five-year term on the Phillips County Recreation District Board.
Other business
In other business last month, commissioners:
— Approved the purchase of a 2022 CAT 140 motor grader at a price of $270,140 less the trade-in allowance of $54,000 on a 2004 CAT 140H for a net price of $216,140.
— Approved the use of $11,800 in ARPA funds for enhanced mapping software for Phillips County Communications Center.
— Approved the request from Star 92.3 to include alcohol tasting at the Farm and Home Show scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 5, with the condition that a special events permit is obtained from the city of Holyoke, the required liquor liability insurance is acquired and the additional alcohol deposit is paid.
— Approved the subdivision exemption request submitted by Jeff and Tricia Michael to sell five acres north of Holyoke to an undetermined buyer.