COVID relief reserve fund can be used through 2021
Phillips County commissioners were notified Dec. 11 that CVRF Department of Local Affairs reserve funds were received in the amount of $289,693.57, which can be used through Dec. 31, 2021. The funds are split among Holyoke, Haxtun, Paoli and Phillips County.
CVRF money originally had to be used by the end of 2020, but commissioners were notified of the extension Dec. 28.
This extension will provide more time to look at the county and communities to see where the funds will be best used.
Chairman of the board of county commissioners Terry Hofmeister said he was happy with the extension, noting that another year to use the reserve funds will be very beneficial.
As of Dec. 31, $147,971 had been distributed for small business grants. The Help Colorado Now grant distribution in Phillips County was as follows:
— $8,978.52 in grocery vouchers were redeemed.
— $8,735.97 in restaurant vouchers were redeemed.
— $4,500 went to Phillips County food banks.
— $2,200 want to the Department of Human Services food pantry.
— $514.44 was allotted for supplies.
2021 budget adopted
At their Dec. 8 meeting, commissioners adopted the 2021 budget, which totaled $7,317,909 in appropriations.
The budget includes:
General Fund — $3,858,819
Road and Bridge — $2,072,808
Human Services — $519,267
Capital Expenditure — $435,405
Conservation Trust — $20,000
Contingency — $174,982
Ambulance Fund — $61,021
Unemployment Fund — $30,977
E911 Fund — $76,482
Economic Development — $68,148
Total Approp. — $7,317,909
In addition to adopting the budget Dec. 8, commissioners certified a levy of 28.28 mills, including 21.45 mills for general operating expenses, 4.23 for road and bridge, 1.6 for human services and 1 for capital expenditures.
The county’s 2020 assessed value, as reported by the county assessor, is $98,041,740, which is up $210,210 from 2019.
Quarantine guidelines instituted
Commissioners approved and implemented quarantine guidelines in the event employees are exposed to someone with COVID-19. The guidelines, which are subject to review when warranted, are:
— 10-day quarantine period in which no testing is required and only if there are no symptoms during daily monitoring. Symptoms should be monitored until day 14.
— 7-day quarantine period in which a PCR or antigen test is negative and there are no symptoms during daily monitoring. The test may be performed on day five, six or seven of quarantine, but not before. If the test is negative, quarantine can end on the eighth day with continued daily monitoring for symptoms until day 14.
— With both quarantine periods, individuals should continue to monitor themselves closely for any symptoms. If symptoms begin after release from quarantine, individuals should immediately isolate and contact their doctor or the health department for evaluation and possible testing.
Other business
In other business last month, commissioners:
— Met with Bob Heldenbrand regarding his resignation as Phillips County emergency manager to transition to his new position as manager of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management, Northeast Region Field Office, effective Jan. 11.
— Accepted a bid from Reese Mechanical for HVAC replacement and upgrade work in the amount of $26,975, which was covered by DOLA funds.
— Appointed commissioner-elect Garold Roberts to serve on the Progressive 15 board and for county administrator Pam Jensen to serve as backup.
— Approved a request from the Food Bank of the Rockies to renew their annual contract with Phillips County to run their mobile food pantry at the Phillips County Fairgrounds and Haxtun Community Center for 2021.
— Approved a request from Holyoke Volunteer Fire Department president Steve Young to hold their meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month at 8 p.m. at the Bank of Colorado Pavilion and to waive the rental fees if there are no other conflicts.
— Allowed the fair board and economic development board to appoint their own boards to bring to the commissioners for final approval.
— Approved the purchase of five exhaust fan hoods for the Bank of Colorado Pavilion up to $2,500.
— Approved the purchase of a new Xerox printer/photocopier for Phillips County Sheriff’s Office at the cost of $1,699, $887 of which will be covered by the Victims of Crime Act grant and the rest will come from county funds.
— Met with county road and bridge departments of Phillips and Yuma counties to discuss changing maintenance responsibilities on specific border county roads.
— Approved the renewal of the CDL tester contract with Gerald Whipple for 2021.