The Gilpin County County Commissioners heard presentations for redistricting the County during a regular meeting on December 20, 2022, at the Courthouse in Central City. The Board also discussed a revised ordinance for dogs in the County and approved several contracts.

As required by state law, the Gilpin County Commissioners’ Districts must be realigned and adjusted after every federal census to ensure that the districts are proportional by population. The county’s GIS contractor has prepared several sets of potential redistricting maps based on the requirements of state law.

Tom Neer from Digital Data Services Inc. presented the maps to Commissioners and reviewed the requirements of state law on the redistricting process. Staff are seeking feedback and direction from the Commissioners on how to proceed with this process.

The County is divided into three districts, each of which can have only a 5 percent deviation from the most to the least population. The County can re-district in any odd-numbered year, so in 2023 the County has a window to make a change.

If the County doesn’t make a change in 2023, they will have to wait until 2025. The redistricting options are based wholly on population. In 2020, the County had 5,800 residents.

Board Chair Sandy Hollingsworth said she likes the public process and had wanted to wait until after the election to work on this. Neer said they were not proposing the County adopt this right now. There is no requirement to change the districts.

The County will post the three options online and will have hard copies at the Courthouse. The Commissioners will discuss this again on February 14, 2023.

County Attorney Brad Benning introduced the first reading of an ordinance pertaining to the welfare, control, and licensing of dogs. He said this revision is because of changes in legislation; violations have become civil infractions. Now there will be a fine of $50 for the first violation and $100 for the second violation. Third and fourth violations will cost more.

The County is encouraging that pets be registered with the Sheriff’s Office. Commissioner Linda Isenhart asked how practical is it to license their pet at the sheriff’s office. Benning said it will place the onus on the sheriff’s department. The Commissioners discussed the amount of time to consider between offenses and agreed on three offenses in 18 months. The Board will hear the second reading on. January 10 at the Courthouse at 10:30 a.m.

Alisa Witt, public health coordinator, introduced a resolution to approve a Public Health Contract with Jefferson County. For many years the County has contracted with Jefferson County Public Health to support their work in this area.

In consideration of the satisfactory performance of these services, Gilpin County will pay JCPH the not-to-exceed sum of $142,158. “We utilize their expertise to protect and promote public health and have been working with Jefferson County for more than.10 years,” Witt said.

Commissioner Marie Mornis asked about keeping these services within Gilpin County. County Manager Ray Rears said they have hired an employee for inspections and are taking more responsibility, but public health is so broad it is important to have the much greater resources of Jefferson County. The Board approved the contract.

Laura Solomon, Director of Human Services, introduced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP).

Of the total amount of the contract, 80 percent is paid by the state and 20 percent by the County. Training is required. The Board approved the MOU.

The Sheriff’s Office requested approval of a revised contract for Central Square Software License and Service. This will be an addition to the contract for critical data regarding the jail, records, and management. It will include two modules, administrative and personnel data. It will cost $52,000 to bring our data over to the State mandated report. The Board approved the request.

County Attorney Brad Benning introduced a resolution for the approval of a contract for Information Technology (IT) Services with Teryx, Incorporated. Benning said this is a standard contract. Teryx has been serving the county for a while. Benning said it is a standard contract. The Board approved the contract for $132,600.

Robert Gutierrez, Director of Community Development, introduced a resolution approving a contract for building plan review and inspections. The County hasn’t had a formal contract. One of the goals is to make it easier for staff and residents to deal with the complications in the process. This change will make a big difference, Gutierrez said.

In November, the County posted an RFP for inspections, and they received four applications. Members of staff evaluated the proposals and recommended Charles Abbot, who was the second lowest bidder.

The County will go to a full-service contract starting January 5. The cost is borne by the property owner. The Board approved the resolution.

The Board approved a setback variance for 103 Stone Cliff Circle, The applicant requested approving a change in the setback for 21 feet, less than the required 30 feet. The County received an objection from a neighbor, but during the meeting he withdrew his objection.

County Manager Ray Rears introduced a resolution discharging the Weekly Register-Call from all duties as legal newspaper of record for the County of Gilpin. The County has two legal newspapers, The Mountain-Ear and the Weekly Register-Call.

On January 18, 2022, the Board approved a trial to use both papers as newspapers of record, for an amount not to exceed $8,000. On August 9, staff reported quality issues and errors in the public notices in the Weekly Register-Call. Rears said the County is now over budget, and the Weekly Register-Call costs more than The Mountain-Ear. “I take no pleasure bringing this to the Board,” Rears said.

Commissioner Marie Mornis moved to table this resolution, because The Mountain-Ear is not registered in Gilpin County, and therefore does not meet the qualifications. Attorney Benning said The Mountain-Ear does meet the qualifications.

Hollingsworth said this is a business decision. “We did say this was a trial,” she noted. The Board voted against tabling the resolution. Weekly Register-Call Managing Editor Becky Oswald said that the County Manager’s numbers are faulty.

Hollingsworth said that they see the vouchers. “It’s all here.” The County can still put ads and notices in the Weekly Register-Call. The Board approved the resolution with Mornis voting against it.

The Board approved the meeting schedule for 2023, moving to the second and fourth Tuesdays. The next meeting will be on January 3, at the Courthouse.