The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) called their regular meeting to order at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. In attendance were Commissioner Marie A. Mornis, Commissioner Susan Berumen, Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth, County Manager Ray Rears, and County Attorney Brad Benning.

During public comment, a resident of Gold Mountain Village spoke about the closing of Eagles’ Nest. She expressed regret for the community and dismay with elected officials for allowing the closing of the center. She said that she can no longer be part of the community if she cannot find child care.

Chanda Johnson, Human Resources Director, introduced new employees.

Jaime Boyle offered letters of support for the capital fund project grant for broadband service in the county, connecting service from the south to the north with underground fiber.

The Commissioners also acknowledged the proposed new charter school in Coal Creek Canyon as one of the potential educational options for our region, facilitated by the dedicated community members and parents of Coal Creek Canyon K8.

All were in favor of accepting the letters of support.

Greg Demo, Detentions Division Chief presented Resolution 23-106, Awarding a Contract to CorEMR for Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Software for the Gilpin County Detentions Facility.

All were in favor of Resolution 23-106.

Demo also presented Resolution 23-107, Amending the Contract for Summit Food Service, LLC, for the Gilpin County Detentions Food Service Program.

On September 14, 2021, the Summit Food Service, LLC, was awarded the contract for providing food services for both the Gilpin County Jail and the Senior programs, including Meal on Wheels, which began on October 25, 2021. Gilpin County was provided notice in July of food cost increases because of inflation, which were going to impact the individual meal pricing for the calendar year 2024. The Sheriff’s Office is requesting the board to adopt the new meal pricing table and approve the second amendment to the original contract.

Hollingsworth moved to approve the resolution with the addition of a “not to exceed” amount of $264,000. Berumen seconded, and all were in favor.

Demo introduced Resolution 23-113, Awarding a Contract to Command Sourcing, Inc., for Body Scanners for the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office.

The Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office in recent months has experienced a significant threat to the Detentions Facility with the introduction of contraband, especially lethal substances such as Fentanyl.

In an effort to increase the safety and well-being for persons visiting, residing, and working inside the detentions facility, the Sheriff explored different options which would serve to reduce the risk of liability to the County and to increase safety standards. One of the industry standards for jails is the implementation of body scanning machines in facilities across the state and the nation.

The body scanners would be used during the intake procedure for inmates. The contract includes four years of extended service and totals $189,900.

Berumen moved to accept the resolution in that amount, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

Jennifer Cook, CSU Extension Director, introduced Resolution 23-100, Adopting 2024 Gilpin County Extension Community Garden Information, Policies, and Procedures.

The updates provide a clear framework on enforcement of garden policies and how gardeners will be held accountable.

There was discussion and Hollingsworth moved to postpone acceptance of the updates until December 12 in order to incorporate the information into the Master Policy. Berumen seconded and all were in favor.

Cook also presented Resolution 23-101, Appointing Gilpin County Noxious Weed Advisory Board Members.

Requirements for Board Members:

• Members shall be appointed by BoCC.

• There are 3 voting members with 5 total.

• Majority (2) must own 40 acres or more, where possible.

• Must reside in Gilpin County.

She recommended Rea Orthner, Chanda Johnson, and Dana Jones as voting members, and Harv Mastalir and Wes Isenhart as non-voting members. Mornis opined that Wes Isenhart would be an effective board member.

Berumen moved to approve the recommendation of Orthner and Johnson as the 2-year board members, and Jones as a 1-year board member. Motion passed 3-0.

Janey Barker, Human Services Director, presented Resolution 23-102, Approving Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the Tri-County Workforce Area.

Mornis pointed out some clerical errors and wanted confirmation that the dates listed were accurate since she noticed some inconsistencies.

Hollingsworth moved to approve the resolution including specifically 16 MOUs. All were in favor.

Barker also introduced Resolution 23-114, Approving an Amendment to the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) for the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) County Computer Refresh Program.

Berumen moved to approve, Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

Rears presented Resolution 23-108, Authorizing the Renewal of Real Property Lease Agreement with Gilpin Ambulance Authority (GAA). The lease for a portion of the Apex building is in the amount of $50,000 per year.

Hollingsworth moved to approve, Berumen seconded, and all were in favor.

Sam Bower, Administrative Analyst, presented Resolution 23-109, Allocating Remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds.

This resolution allocates all remaining ARPA dollars. The amount allocated to the Timberline Fire Protection District has been increased from $97,000 to $97,402.99 to reflect the actual amount of returned funds. This left $222.23 unallocated. This resolution allocates that remaining amount towards the Human Services Thanksgiving Food and Gift Drive.

Berumen moved to approve the resolution and all were in favor.

Johnson presented Resolution 23-103, Amending the Employee Handbook. Staff are proposing a revision to the Employee Handbook based on legislative changes and business needs of the County. This had been discussed during the last work session.

Hollingsworth moved to approve with notes of suggestions included. Berumen seconded. Motion passed 3-0.

Johnson also introduced Resolution 23-104, Adopting Health Insurance Premium Annual Increase for Employee Cost Sharing.

Rears said there is an obligation to be in line with the market concerning employee-share health benefits. If the Board elects to increase employee cost sharing, this change would allow for the organization to reallocate additional funds to direct compensation.

Mornis mentioned that this had been discussed during the last work session. Berumen said the County will be offering a healthy benefits package. All were in favor.

Johnson presented Resolution 23-110, Approving a New Position for a Public Health Director.

Rears said the key element is that Jefferson County currently supplies Public Health services through an IGA that expires at the end of the year. If approved, the board would be approving a new Public Health Director role in Gilpin County starting January 1, 2024.

Creating the Public Health Director dedicated position would limit the amount of contracted services that Gilpin County currently utilizes in this area and would provide a regular full-time staff member to oversee Gilpin County employees in this department.

In 2023, the budget designated to Contract Labor in the Public Health Agency Fund is $205,951. Estimated costs of hiring a Public Health Director, based on the new compensation assessment, is a range of $99,000 - $118,900 - $138,600 for E9 (Exempt Grade 9).

Jefferson County would still be available if needed in this friendly separation and any professional costs are already budgeted.

Hollingsworth moved to approve, Berumen seconded, and all were in favor.

Johnson presented Resolution 23-111, Adopting Recommendations for Organizational Staffing and Compensation Studies.

Johnson recommended adopting the changes in the study that was reviewed at the last work session. Staff recommended the implementation of the Coreflection Compensation analysis to remain competitive and to help retain and reward employees for their service.

The commissioners discussed waiting until 2024 to adopt the discussed pay ranges. Johnson recommends bringing certain roles up to minimum but not allocating for compression until next year during annual performance evaluations.

Hollingsworth preferred to adopt the ranges but not implement the compression increases for the two topmost paid contract positions of County Manager and County Attorney.

Berumen moved to approve the resolution with the amendment to adopt contract employee pay ranges and bring them to minimum. Hollingsworth seconded, and all were in favor.

Johnson brought up Resolution 23-112, Approving Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) for Gilpin County Staff.

The request proposed is to implement a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) ranging from 4% to 7% ,with the lowest paid employees receiving the highest percentage of increase at 7% for those in the first quartile; the 2nd quartile to receive a 6% increase; 3rd quartile a 5% increase; and the 4th quartile a 4% increase. In the rare occurrence where an employee is above the maximum, usually due to longevity, the employees would receive a prorated lump sum “thank you” payment for their service to Gilpin County.

There have been no increases in County staff pay since October of 2022. Mornis suggested a three- to five-percent increase instead of four to seven percent.

Hollingsworth moved to adopt the resolution, Berumen seconded, and Mornis voted nay. Motion passed 2-1.

Benning and Rears delivered the County Attorney’s report and County Manager’s report, respectively.

Rears said he has been listening to the needs of the County in regards to Eagles’ Nest’s closing. Hollingsworth and Rears suggested a public meeting to discuss this critical need for child care in the community.

Rears said Eagles’ Nest will run out of funds in December. The County is the landlord, has provided donations, and will take back the building in the case of insolvency. Rears made it known that neither the County nor the Board have been responsible for the situation. The board will be waiting for any actions from Eagles’ Nest.

During the Commissioners’ Report, Berumen shared she has been working in an advisory role with Eagles’ Nest and diving deep into the County budget. Hollingsworth reported on the recent work sessions. Mornis announced a work session on Tuesday, December 5. Meeting adjourned at 12:24 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for November 28 at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at 203 Eureka Street in Central City and online via Zoom.