John Scarffe

Gilpin County

Gilpin County Administrator Leslie Klusmire proposed hiring a company experienced with gaming issues in the area to talk to the County about its revenue during a regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners at 9 a.m. on December 19, 2017, at the Central City Hall. The Gilpin County Courthouse, the Board’s usual meeting place, is under renovation. Klusmire proposed hiring Community Matters, Inc., of Littleton, CO, the company that has worked with Black Hawk, Central City and Gilpin County about gaming issues in the past. Owner Barbara Cole will talk with the Board about revenue. If the County wants to go out for proposals, it will take three or four months. County Attorney Jim Petrock said that professional services don’t require an RFP. Klusmire said it’s not a particularly big project. Commissioner Ron Engels said that it’s inexpensive compared to what she brings to the table. “To me, if there is a requirement because of that expertise she could lend to what is already a pretty tight timeline, [that] would be justification for professional services,” Engels said. Commissioner Linda Isenhart asked what the deadline is to get this on 2018 ballot. Gail Maxwell, with the Clerk & Recorder’s Office, said that the deadline will be in August. Engels pointed out that this will be a tax issue. We need to determine through community input what is supportable.

Board Chair Gail Watson said that you really need to do a full year and a lot of ground work for it to go through. Petrock said that our policies do require an RFP unless there are extenuating circumstances. If there is a time issue you do have the authority to waive that. The Board called Barbara Cole on the telephone, who said she could come up there and schedule the interview. She would like to do reconnaissance interviews, which lead to more meaningful discussions during work sessions. “I think it’s important to really understand where your revenue is today and fund generators that are most appropriate,” Cole said. “We will have all the issues identified. You don’t want to go to the residents without the three of you being on the same page and being informed about what you’re moving forward with.”

Following the phone call, Commissioner Linda Isenhart said that it was decided not to send this out to bid. Watson said that an exception could be made due to time constraints. The Board approved spending not to exceed $20,000, and authorized the County Manager to execute the contract with Community Matters for the proposed scope of work. County Finance Director Clorinda Smith presented levies and revenue for 2018. The mill levy did not change from last year and is slightly more than 9.838. It will generate $3.6 million in property taxes. The Board approved a motion to approve certification and revenue for 2018 for Gilpin County. County Assessor Anne Schafer told the Board that the chief appraiser position has been vacant for some time. They did advertise and received very few applicants. They are hoping to advertise and, depending on experience, hire at the top of the range, so she is asking for that latitude. The policy is to hire only up to 10 percent. Watson said she was concerned to read that is the hiring policy. Engels said they should give them the flexibility to pay what needs to be paid to get this position filled. Human Resources Manager Susie Allen said they are having difficulty recruiting deputies and having a hard time filling life guard positions as well as technicians. It is a tough economy. The Board approved the request with the salary range verbiage amended. The Board met on January 9, 2018. The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at the Central City Hall.