John Scarffe, Gilpin County.   The public and Gilpin County employees filled the Gilpin County Courthouse Meeting Room to honor four retiring public officials during a reception at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, before the regular Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners meeting at 9 a.m. The reception celebrated the careers of retirees Sheriff Bruce Hartman, for 40 years of service, Treasurer and Public Trustee Alynn Huffman, for 25 years of service, Clerk and Recorder Colleen Stewart, for 12 years, and Surveyor Corey Diekman, for 10 years. Diekman was not available for the ceremony.

To begin the board’s regular meeting at 9 a.m., Board Chair Ron Engels presented an appreciation gift to each of the retiring elected officials for their service to Gilpin County. He wanted to say thank you to a number of people who have served the county well and long. The board thanked each of the elected officials for their work, followed by comments from Huffman. A brief reception followed.

Finance Director Clorinda Smith introduced the certification of levies and revenue. Eleven various districts and cities within the county submitted their annual certifications of levies by December 15, 2018. She compiled a summary which was performed by Staff Accountant Lorna Plamondon, and then Smith reviewed it.

The summary gave an indication of the amount of taxes the county will receive in 2019. The county receives revenue from two school districts and local government entities with the valuation and revenue totaling $13,843,464. The board accepted the 2019 Certification of Levies and Revenue.

Gilpin County Planning Commission Chair Laura Jenéy said the Planning Commission conducted an executive session to discuss the need for some revisions to their bylaws. They will re-write the bylaws for changes.

Commissioner Gail Watson said the board would like to provide input into this. Engels suggested a work session, and County Manager Abel Montoya agreed. He requested that the board give the Planning Commission some ideas for potential revisions for now and schedule a work session.

Watson said her main concerns are conflict of interest language and that the primary place of residence be in Gilpin County. It has always been community development as the staff liaison, so this should reflect that.

The board directed the Planning Commission to continue interviewing applicants for vacant seats and making appointment recommendations. The board approved appointing Jim Wailes to a new three-year term, Jane Billings as a regular member to a three-year term and Rob Mercier to the first alternate position for a three-year term.

The commissioners also approved advertising for the second alternate position, which is now vacant. The board approved removing Rea Wrobel from Planning Commission membership due to unexcused absences effective today, but then agreed to reinstate her effective today, as a regular member for a new three-year term.

Public Works Director Gordon Thompson presented the Highway User Tax Report for 2018. The county’s total number of miles eligible for funds remains at 145.56. Thompson requested that the board accept the accounting for mileage, and the board approved.

Thompson proposed an increase of $5 per cubic yard for 2019 to improve the Transfer Station’s revenues for construction and household debris, which had been the same since 2011. About 4,500 cubic yards of construction debris had been received, and at the new rate of $30, the Station could collect an estimated $17,500.

Watson said she has had requests from two residents for a shredding day, and Thompson said he will look into hosting a free shredding event during 2019. The board approved the increase for construction and household debris per cubic yard to $30.

As the liquor licensing authority, the board approved annual liquor license renewal applications for XTRACT, LLC, dba, Mid County Liquors, 7218 Highway 119, and the Last Shot, LLC, dba Last Shot, 17268 Highway 119.

Neither stores have had any problems and are involved in the community.

Detentions Captain Tonia Kapke presented an amendment to the Health Services Agreement for inmate healthcare for 2019 between Southern Health Partners, Inc., (SHP) and Gilpin County. Engels asked if the changes in the agreement were those Kapke asked for, and she agreed they were.

She was satisfied with SHP’s current services. The proposed new contract total would be $299,616.36 for 2019, with increasing coverage from 54 to 70 inmates. The additional coverage will save money in the long run.

This is covering the cost up front, and the county gets an 80 percent return on the unused portions for that. The board approved the amendment.

The board also approved the employee assistance program insurance renewal, proposed updates to the Gilpin County Pay Plan and the employee handbook and seven other annual agreements.

The board met on January 8, 2019, and Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at the Gilpin County Courthouse.