The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners approved the second reading of a parking ordinance regulating parking on county roads during a regular meeting on December 6, 2022, at the courthouse in Central City. The Board also approved a new position for community development services and the 2023 budget.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Board asked for a moment of silence in honor of Commissioner Web Sill’s Passing. County Manager Ray Rears said they are following the wishes of the family that no comments should be made, only a moment of silence.

Last week the County announced that Gilpin County Commissioner Web Sill, District 1, had passed away on November 29. Sill served as a commissioner for ten years over three terms and lived in the Bald Mountain area. He lived in Gilpin County for 37 years, according to information he provided when he was running for commissioner.

County Attorney Brad Benning introduced the second reading of an ordinance regulating parking on Gilpin County Public Rights of Way in the unincorporated portions of the County. If it passes, it will go into effect immediately. Also, any changes made will be published in the Newspaper of Record for the County.

Minor financial impacts are associated with adopting this ordinance. One being updating road signs and tickets to reflect the new ordinance number and penalties.

According to the ordinance, vehicles or other objects parked, stored, abandoned, or disabled in whole or in part on a County

Roadway shall be considered “Illegal Parking.” No parking is allowed unless the County posts signs allowing parking, especially near trailheads .

In that instance, vehicles may park in the posted area but must be outside of the traveled portion of a County Roadway and at least 10 feet from the centerline of the traveled portion of a County Roadway. Such parking shall not be overnight and no vehicles shall be parked in such a manner as to interfere with traffic law, snow removal or County Road maintenance operations.

If a vehicle has been red tagged once, at a second occurrence it may be towed immediately. Costs of removal and any towing fees will be the responsibility of the vehicle owner.

Such costs and fees must be paid within 30 days of notice sent to the vehicle owner. Any person who violates any provision of this ordinance will be guilty of a class B traffic infraction. For the first violation, the fine will be $30 with a surcharge of $10. The second violation will cost $55 with a surcharge of $10. Subsequent violations will cost $105 with a surcharge of $10.

Benning said the ordinance has been changed because the law changed parking violations to traffic infractions, so no jail time will be imposed but fines will be charged instead. It can be enforced everywhere if a vehicle is in the way for emergency access.

Chair Sandy Hollingsworth said this was approved on first reading November 1st with Commissioner Sill present. The Board approved the second reading of the ordinance.

Chanda Johnson, director of Human Resources, presented a resolution for the position of office assistant and permit technician. The Community Development

Department has identified a need to adjust their office assistant position to include the functions of Permit Technician. As such, the position will be titled, Office Assistant / Permit Technician and would be a new position.

It would add an additional full-time employee to the Community Development Team. Staff recommend approving the departmental changes to better support the Community Development department. The addition of the Office Assistant / Permit Technician position would allow for backup office support while having someone to conduct inspections and issue permits.

This would also allow for the Code Enforcement position to focus on needed areas such as additional resources for short-term rentals and other ordinances as designated by the County. If all positions were approved the fiscal impacts at a minimum are estimated at $45,245 to $54,294. The Board approved the position originally requested last year.

Lorna Plamondon, staff accountant, and Ray Rears presented the 2023 budget. Rears presented a Powerpoint with the budget. He said the budget reflects the priorities of the Board passed earlier this year.

The County’s budget addresses the provision of necessary county services and reflects the Board of County Commissioners priorities and goals. The services provided and programs offered by the County include road and facility maintenance and construction, solid waste, public safety, the library, public health, human services, and fairgrounds.

Gilpin County, with a population of 5,885, is home to two of the three gaming authorized municipalities in Colorado. As required by law, Gilpin County receives 12 percent in proportion to gaming revenues generated in the County for both limited and extended gaming. In 2023, 42 percent of Gilpin County’s budget originates from gaming tax distribution received from the state.

The anticipated 2023 gaming tax revenue is $12,700,000. The historical high of $15,251,005 was received in 2022 due to supplemental gaming revenue and the historical low of $6,711,856 was received in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused the temporary closure and limited capacity of all of the casinos.

In order to better prepare for unknown impacts on the budget, the County Commissioners elected to pay off all debt, making Gilpin County one of two counties in Colorado with no debt obligations as they enter 2023.

Rears said he worked closely with department directors to make it clear to the public. The Largest expenditures are the sheriff’s office and public works both receiving increased funding and staff. The Board approved the budget.

The Board approved the Levy and General Property Taxes for the Year 2022 to help defray the costs of government for Gilpin County. Lorna Plamondon said the levy has not changed. The library increased by a fraction.

According to the resolution, the tax levy for the 2023 budget year is 13.413 mills upon each dollar of the total valuation for assessment of all taxable property in the County.

The Commission will meet for a special meeting on Thursday, December 8, at 10 a.m.. to swear in a newly appointed commissioner. Hollingsworth said the republican party is meeting tonight to decide the new commissioner.

The next regular meeting of the Commissioners will be on December 20, 2022. For more information go to https://gilpincounty.colorado.gov/ publicmeetings/ board-of-countycommissionersbocc meetings.