County reports on landfill compliance
An agreement for groundwater monitoring at the Phillips County Landfill facility was reviewed by commissioners at their month-end meeting Monday, Aug. 31.
It was agreed between the county and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Hazardous Material and Waste Management Division that through 2022, the division will prepare a sampling and analysis plan and continue to conduct groundwater monitoring at the landfill facility.
Effective Jan. 1, 2023, Phillips County will assume responsibility for conducting groundwater monitoring at the landfill unless granted a waiver by the division.
Additionally, the county and division agreed that by June 3, 2021, the county, working with American Environmental Consulting, will have an updated engineering design and operation plans, as well as a waste characterization plan submitted to the division.
2 roadway occupancy agreements approved
During the past month, the commissioners also reported on two roadway occupancy agreements in the county.
At their July 31 meeting, an agreement was made with Pat Meakins for underground construction of a 3-inch water line crossing County Road 3 in southwest Phillips County.
On Aug. 21, commissioners accepted a roadway occupancy agreement with Rick Krueger for underground construction of a 1.25-inch water line buried 48 inches deep in a PVC pipe across County Road 59 in northeast Phillips County.
Expenditures noted
Several county expenditures were elaborated on at the month-end meeting Monday.
Sheriff Thom Elliott met with the board Aug. 21 with a request to upgrade the department’s current Tasers and body cameras. With Senate Bill 20-2017 mandating that all peace officers are required to wear body cameras, Elliott pointed out that the department would need another camera for jail transport.
Commissioners voted to upgrade the sheriff’s office’s Tasers and body cameras to a fully warrantied and supported model, adding a Taser and camera for a fifth deputy.
A new five-year contract with Axon Enterprise was approved, for a five-year total cost of $40,185.24 for the sheriff’s office’s upgrades. This is an additional $14,822.60 from the previous contract.
Having met via phone with county auditor Ronny Farmer of rfarmer LLC for the 2019 audit review, commissioners noted that there were no significant errors and the county’s financial situation is good.
The board accepted Farmer’s letter of engagement to provide audit services for the fiscal year ending December 2020 for a fee not to exceed $18,540.
Another expenditure of $3,640 was approved for the contract proposal from Quality Paving Consultants to core selected roadway sections in the county in order to apply chip seal for Department of Local Affairs energy and mineral impact grants.
A gold service agreement for elevator service for $254/month was approved with ThyssenKrupp Elevator Company. Commissioners were pleased with the opportunities with this new company. It was also noted that an estimated $4,000 pending repair bill for the elevator was approved if the state requires it to be made immediately. Otherwise, the repair will take place under the new contract.
Herman updates board on economic development
In the commissioners’ quarterly meeting Aug. 7 with Trisha Herman, Phillips County Economic Development executive director, they heard about:
— COVID-19 programs and a daycare grant Herman is working on.
— The Heifer Authority Farm Labor Housing Project she is working on with Julia Biesemeier.
— A $160,000 grant received by Holyoke School District as part of phase one of the Homegrown Talent Initiative.
Other business
In other business during the month of August, commissioners:
— Amended the East Phillips County ambulance service license to add drivers Jay Weatherspoon, Joseph Cliffard, Erica Long and Abraham Garcia.
— Increased gravel pit landowners’ rate of pay from 45 cents/cubic yard to 50 cents/cubic yard, effective Sept. 1.
— Renewed the liquor license submitted by Ricos Dogs LLC, dba Blisties, whose current license is set to expire Oct. 21.
— Approved liquor sales at the Pheasants Forever event Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Phillips County Event Center.
— Met with HUB International representatives Mark Thomas and Keith Pocock on Aug. 21 to determine if there are options to reduce the county’s current health insurance liability. It was determined that a change in providers is not feasible due to current employee demographics.
— Denied a request to plant trees around the memorial dedicated to Randy Schafer at the fairgrounds due to concerns for power lines in that area.
— Signed a resolution opposing the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact to ensure proper checks and balances against accumulation of political power and to protect Colorado’s unique political voice in presidential politics.