BOCC Meeting
July 12, 2017

Invocation, pledge of allegiance, approval of amended agenda and consent agenda (mylars, vouchers, professional services for wind farm engineering review).

STAFF REPORTS:

Wade Gateley, Attorney - since this is his last BOCC meeting, he thanked county for opportunity to work here - had hoped to work here for 5 years (was only here for 3); thankful for adversity in life and growth experienced through adversity while in EC. Believes EC built a strong team during his tenure; specifically thanked Commissioners Rowland and Schlegel and former County Manager Ed Ehmann for their help and support.

Shayne Heap - thanked Wade Gateley for his service; jail still overpopulated; related story of intoxicated individual who rammed a deputy’s vehicle; felonies up (June 2016 - 2, June 2017 - 24)

OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT

None

DISCUSSION ITEMS:

-2016 draft audit highlights:

Net decrease of $1,000,000 in assets.
General fund balance increased by approximately $1,000,000.
Depreciation is comparable to industry norm.
County is in “relatively stable” financial condition.
Complimented county for utilizing assistance of outside firm with routine accounting.
“Caution light” issued on current levels of reserves.
Leases - in the future, no more operating leases, only capital leases (to be in compliance with accounting rules/laws)
Health and Human Services require some corrective action/pointed out to them in 1/17.
Will basically be issuing a “clean” audit

-Employee handbook:

Dianna Hiatt, HR, complimented Wade Gateley for his help and thanked Sheriff Heap for being so humble.
Redline copy of employee handbook presented to commissioners on July 3. No specifics were shared with the public about changes; no references were made to securing legal advice as the handbook was formulated.

-Hoo House (county owned house) update:

Wade Gateley spoke with realtor - no showings/activity yet

-Temporary housing space for HHS:

Gerri Spear reported that HHS is transitioning out of Hoo House; renting meeting space.

-Update on Gravel Pit:

Monty Hankins, interim Road and Bridge Superintendent, reported that county has entered into agreement with owner of Elbert gravel pit (on Elbert Rd); $450/ton; county looking at other gravel pits around county (transportation costs exceed cost of gravel)

-Bank of the West building update:

Ric Pettit, Treasurer, reported that cabling begins next week; general contractor having problems getting subs to Kiowa; need to disturb one ceiling area that has asbestos; mostly on schedule

(IT Director Jenn Grote had to replace batteries in non-functioning microphone at this point)

-Commissioners’ 2018 budget goals:

Establishing contingency funds for emergencies, for revenues to exceed expenditures, expand projections further into the future, look at personnel requirements (statutory requirements, increase county services to 5 days/40 hours, and improve employee benefits), privatize some Road and Bridge tasks, implement efficiencies to reduce paper shuffling, fairground improvements, how to best use wind farm revenues, investment policies.
Change in philosophy from survival to planning for the future/strategic planning.

-Building permit fee adjustment for commercial solar:

Kyle Fenner, CDS Director - fee schedule ready to go for public notification; hopefully completed in next 6 weeks. Commissioner Thayer stated that outside interests are using benefits of EC and not reimbursing county proportionately - we’ve been leaving money on the table. These tiered fees include more than solar projects.

ACTION ITEMS:

approval of 6/14/17, 6/27/17, and 6/28/17 BOCC minutes
resolution passed designating funds within General Fund as dedicated line items known as “committed funds,” “stabilization funds,” and “contingency funds.” Funds for building inspections for wind farm, contingency funds and stabilization funds - specific guidelines for utilizing these funds; will require commissioner approval to use these funds for any other purposes than those stated in this resolution.
appointment of Chief Budget Officer - Rick Petit, Treasurer
Approval of contracts with Baseline for planning services - relates to update of county zoning regulations

PUBLIC HEARING

-resolution for supplemental appropriations to 2017 budget - anticipating $96,622 in inspection fees for wind farm; had $$ coming in but had not listed it as outgoing - housekeeping detail

BOARD PLANNING:

-tentative agenda 7/26/17: approval of minutes, final audit results, employee handbook, variance reports, Hoo house, building fee permits update, water study update

Kyle Fenner reported that Planning Commission meeting of 7/11/17 is continued to 7/18/17 at fairgrounds at 7PM. Because of necessary public notification, September 13 will be proposed hearing date by BOCC for Independence (to be continued from the August 9 BOCC meeting).

Grant Thayer asked Kyle Fenner to check with Planning Commission to see if they want the flexibility to change the 11PM end time of PC meetings….or perhaps consider other alternatives.

Have had a request to hold August 9 BOCC meeting in the evening; commissioners said they could do this.

BOCC meeting adjourned and reconvened as:

ELBERT COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

Mike Akana reported for Billie Mills, Assessor - actual value $3,733,673,933.

Taxable/assessed value $356,231,570. State assessed property values are not yet determined. August 25 is date for certifying values to the state, including real property and personal property.

Originally EC assessor projected 15% increase; actually showing 17% increase. Market value in EC is up almost 30%.

383 property owners in the county appealed. Normal would have been 40-70 appeals.

-Jill Duvall

BOCC MeetingJuly 12, 2017

BOCC Meeting
July 12, 2017