As many of you know, two Republican candidates are running for the same seat in District 1 in Gilpin County. On Thursday, May 16, 2024, The Mountain-Ear sent an email request to commissioner candidates Jessica Kays and Marie Mornis requesting a Q&A with both of them before the upcoming Primary election. Both candidates agreed to answer questions. We collected questions from the community and sent them to both candidates on Friday, May 24. Both candidates submitted their responses by Monday, May 27. These questions and answers are published without any edits, as received. The Mountain-Ear is also willing to host a Candidates roundtable discussion. If both candidates agree, we can plan it between June 8 and 15.

1. How long have you lived in Gilpin County? 30+ years. I moved to Gilpin with my family in 1993.

2. What sort of County oriented volunteering do you do? I am an active leader in the Gilpin Republican committee and am a part of a working group where we focus on community activities and programs. I recently organized a highway clean-up on June 15th where we will be responsible for 3-miles on Highway 119.

Between myself and my businesses, I do support the food bank through donations and engage others to support.

3. What other volunteer work do you do? Working full-time and running three small businesses, I still try hard to find time to support my County and fellow residents.

4. What boards or committees are you currently on? I am currently the Treasurer of the Gilpin County Republican Central Committee.

I am also an active, ten-year member of the Elks Club.

5. Why do you want to be a commissioner? I love Gilpin County and this community. I see frustration in friends and local business owners in the way things are being handled at the county level. I believe we need to make changes now. I am a positive change and bring fresh perspectives; and give a voice back to the residents.

6. What previous government experience do you have? I have 25 years of experience of working in and for Gilpin County. I have worked as staff, a twice-elected official, and am currently a contractor for the County.

In my current capacity I also have the pleasure of working with a variety of other counties, municipalities, and special districts.

7. What do you feel qualifies you to be a County Commissioner? Gilpin Residents = My Passion! I will work for you and represent your voices.

To elaborate on my 25 years of experience, I have well-established relationships with nearly every staff member in Gilpin. I understand the intricacies of each department, and their importance to not only the operations of the County but their impact on our community.

Additionally, I currently operate three successful small businesses: managing budgets, timelines, and projects is second nature. Whether it be a personal, business, or government budget, understanding how to operate within our means is the only way to run an organization.

8. What specific goals do you have for the County if elected? Please prioritize your top three.

• Ensure Fiscal Responsibility. Achieving goals such as funding the Community Center, water/ cistern development, and wildfire mitigation planning with alert and warnings plans.

Continue forming the framework for the county’s maintenance and replacement cycles to minimize the budget rollercoaster.

• Attainable Housing and Affordable Child Care. Being in a rural mountain community we need to be creative in our partnerships and funding opportunities.

I will work tirelessly to ensure we have dependable and affordable pre-school and after-school childcare options for our workforce families. Raising three boys in this community, I understand this issue deeply.

• Maintain Quality Rural Lifestyle with Responsible Growth. Being a 30-year resident of Gilpin County, I respect and appreciate the desire to “Keep Gilpin Rural.” We need to preserve the balance between our quiet mountain life and visitors, the hospitality industry, and support of small businesses.

9. What is the most important skill you bring to this position? Communication and my willingness to talk with anyone! I believe strongly in the power of open, civil communication – this includes listening and would suggest it is more important than talking.

Collaborating with residents, fellow board members, fellow elected officials, the cities, and agencies within the county will move our county forward: together and with common goals being achieved.

10. Please share your vision of growth and economic development in the County. I have stated the importance in maintaining a balance between our rural character and economic development. Supporting development in currently established areas – Rollinsville, Central City, Black Hawk, and the mid-county area (MM 15 on 119). These are areas in Gilpin County where it has been more conducive to growth. With the proper infrastructure and community support, I believe these businesses will continue to flourish.

Gilpin County revenues are primarily derived from Gaming Tax revenue, so the biggest challenge is stimulating a diversification of non-gaming businesses. I am committed to thinking outside of the “government box” and finding solutions that are resident supported.

11. How would you integrate renewable energy and green policies in County planning? With the growing renewable energy grant opportunities for businesses, residents, and the county it brings prospects to the future of our County. The County is currently moving forward with charging stations at the library and as County Commissioner, I would invite appropriate renewable energy ideas at any existing or new buildings owned by the County.

For residents, solar permitting is currently available through the Community Development department.

12. What quality of life issues do you think are important for Gilpin County residents? How would you deal with them? I believe many of us have chosen to live in Gilpin County primarily for the quality of life, choosing a greater overall well-being. We enjoy the natural splendor, freedom from over regulation, and limited government involvement.

Possible impacts to ones’ wellbeing are cost of living and lack of social interactions.

As a County Commissioner I will advocate to de-regulate where possible while maintaining public safety. Additionally focus on opening the Community Center fully, which is the heart of our County and is an excellent source of social interaction so many of us need.

13. Tell us what you know about the county’s budget and the gaming tax revenues. Having been involved in the County’s budget processes for the past 21 years, I am experienced in developing a budget as an elected official for Gilpin. I have also worked with every department and budgeting their IT needs.

The budget is a public document and as a citizen, I have reviewed the budget and have highlighted some fun facts below:

• The County has an overall budget of:
Revenue: Nearly $31 Million
Expenditures: ~$39.5 Million
Ending Balance (2024): $20 Million

• The income sources for revenue are:
Gaming Tax
Property Tax
Grant Monies

• Gilpin’s portion of Gaming Tax Revenues are set at 12% by Colorado law.

• The County has 27 departments that operate out of the General Fund and there are 8 Special Reserve Funds.

• The County currently has no debt – bonded or otherwise.

14. What experience do you have in networking with other groups and people who have ideas different from your own? I am experienced in networking, reaching outside my “bubble,” and actively pursuing conversations outside my political affiliation to avoid the inevitable partisan echo chambers that occur.

I consider different perspectives to be an opportunity for me to understand as much as I can from others. If there is a chance to reach across the aisle, engage with new people, and learn new things I embrace that. I enjoy stepping outside my comfort zone, being challenged in conversations that expand my knowledge. I find this approach will not only make me better informed but makes me a great leader.

15. Does the Candidate believe the current changes to the Climate are caused by human activity? I do believe that human activity plays a role in the changes to the climate. I also understand there are other factors outside human control that influence the climate.

We need to be better stewards of our planet by taking responsibility of the nature around us. Be mindful of our everyday actions and the footprints we leave.

16. What is your position on the IGA the City of Black haw offered re: the Community Center? I am opposed to raising taxes and I am opposed to taking the million dollars from the City of Black Hawk.

Partnerships are built on trust and good faith, not “non-negotiable” contracts. Being unable to sit down with the city and discuss a deal that affects County residents is disheartening. I believe the relationships between the County and both cities are fundamental to good government and establishing quality services for all residents.

This is not a binary choice, “take the million or raise taxes,” I don’t agree with either of these options because they are both similar in their result, but they make the County hooked on money that is unnecessary.

Instead, I am in favor of returning to the 19-year precedent of fully funding the community center from the General Fund. Throwing another million dollars into the budget does not deal with the fiscal responsibility concerns or increased staffing requirements. We need to develop plans for current and future generations.

While the Community Center is not statutorily required, it is vital to Gilpin County. Not only is it used for Emergency Evacuation needs, it is also a facility where families come for quality time, seniors come for socializing – it is truly the center of our community and needs to be treated as such.

17. What is your position on the Sustainable funding for the community center? The County has a 19-year precedent of funding the operations of the Community Center. I want to re-establish operations fully and believe that it is attainable for 2025 and the foreseeable future.

I support the County’s recently implemented capital improvement plan addressing the needs for all County facilities. This plan allows for responsible future maintenance and repairs while balancing the County budget.

18. What is your position on the proposed food pantry annex? I have been a long-time proponent of the food pantry. It is important to aid our fellow residents, as no person or family should go without food or the necessities to thrive.

The current Board approved a one-time $1.3 million dollar expenditure for the development of a new Food Pantry annex in 2024. The County is now anticipating over $900k in grant money, making the County’s out-of-pocket expense around $400k.

If the $900k grant monies are awarded, the County could then reallocate the originally committed 2024 funds from the food pantry annex and open the Community Center fully in 2024 or apply it to fully funding the Community Center in 2025. Furthermore, because the County was able to approve a onetime $1.3 million dollar expense for a food pantry in 2024, and that expense will not occur in perpetuity – the $1.3 million could become available to the Community Center starting in 2025.

I do believe in ensuring the food pantry continues to be managed without creating long-term financial consequences. I am open to the idea of a non-profit or any private/public partnership managing the food pantry and removing the County’s responsibility from that portion. So long as this is done responsibly and with guarantees for a long-term service.

19. What is your position on a mill levy increase to fund the Sheriff’s Department? I am not aware of a current mill levy increase for the Sheriff’s Office, however there was one in 2020. I was a supporter then, and I would support another one, if deemed necessary.

As Commissioner, I want to ensure the Sheriff’s Office has every tool and resource required to perform their public safety duties to the best of their ability.

20. What is your position on the proposed Sexually Oriented Business in Central City? The Central City Council (Mayor and Alderman) are elected positions and have the obligation to do what is best for the City of Central while representing the will of the residents.

Council should seriously weigh and take into consideration the impactful responses heard, and the significant turnout seen at the May 21st meeting. They should listen to every resident they can, have town-hall events, open meetings, or maybe even take the issue to an election so all residents can have a voice.

Additionally, I would suggest waiting for the results of the Sexually Oriented Business Impact Study Gilpin County is working on. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was released on May 21st and the study should begin after July 1, 2024. There is no need to push the current proposed ordinances through until a thorough study from an impartial organization is completed.

21. Do you think the 2020 Presidential election was free and fair? Having extensive experience and knowledge of elections, I do think Elections in Colorado ARE free and fair.

22. Do you have faith in mail-in balloting and if not, please cite verifiable examples that lead to your conclusions? Yes! Both Colorado and Gilpin require many levels of checks and balances to provide free and fair elections.

23. Do you feel the County is overstaffed? If so, what would you cut? In general, I believe the County has increased staff at a rate greater than the population has grown or services offered have been expanded. I believe it is important to take a deep look into all positions within the County.

However, I do not think it is right or fair to staff to publicly oust specific position(s). This is not how I would want anyone to find out if their job was possibly on the line.

Staffing overall needs to be addressed. Gilpin County needs to focus on hiring the best candidates, paying staff appropriately, and creating an environment where employees want to stay. Retention of quality staff is important for the services provided to the residents.

We need to create a greater employee efficiency by investing in them through training and providing the proper tools. Emphasize on streamlining and cross-training staff for enhanced services to residents of Gilpin County.

24. Assuming the Gilpin Republicans hold a majority on the Board of Commissioners, what, if any, decisions made by the previous Board would you seek to overturn and why? Whether the Republicans were the majority or not, there are a few things I would like to revisit with the sitting board:

• I would work tirelessly to fund the Community Center, at least 6 days a week, from the County General Fund.

• Expand Public Meeting accessibility (see previous comments).

• Based on overwhelming comments from the residents, review the Building Code and OWTS permit processes.

• Review current STR thresholds to ensure we are meeting the needs of residents and local small business owners.