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Mill Levy discussed at Gilpin BOCC meeting

John Scarffe
Posted 4/13/23

The Gilpin County Commissioners discussed a mill levy option for Parks and Recreation during a regular meeting on April 11, 2023, at 9 a.m. at the Courthouse in Central City. The Board also heard

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Mill Levy discussed at Gilpin BOCC meeting

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The Gilpin County Commissioners discussed a mill levy option for Parks and Recreation during a regular meeting on April 11, 2023, at 9 a.m. at the Courthouse in Central City. The Board also heard a presentation about economic development in the area and the Mount Evans health care program, and passed two proclamations.

Parks and Recreation Director Gabrielle Chisholm, Facilities Director Ryan Keenan, and Finance Director Joe Allaire presented a facilities update to obtain clarity from the County Commissioners regarding the different options available for the Parks and Recreation Mill Levy.

County Manager Ray Rears said capital costs for Parks and Recreation warranted extending the current mill levy. The Commissioners will have a work session on April 18, which will be the first opportunity to discuss these options.

Chisolm pointed out that the Parks and Recreation Department provides childcare, organizes and implements the County Fair, offers health and fitness programs, and increases property values. She presented a $600,000 fund balance, demonstrating that the 2.570 mill levy is the main source of revenue, followed by grants. Most Parks and Recreation programs have their own funding source.

New staff at Sheriff’s Department Lila Ferguson joined the Sheriff’s Department. She just moved to Colorado from Oregon and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. PHOTO BY JOHN SCARFFE New staff at Sheriff’s Department: Lila Ferguson joined the Sheriff’s Department. She just moved to Colorado from Oregon and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. PHOTO BY JOHN SCARFFE[/caption]

The Department surveyed the community regarding the programs people were most interested in. These include outdoor recreation, early childhood education through the Eagle’s Nest Early Childhood Center, playgrounds, and the after-school Eagle Teen program.

Chisolm said she was proposing a 3.49 mill rate to address maintenance and repairs. This would allow facilities to be open seven days a week. On average, the Department spends $115,000 a year in maintenance.

Rears noted that opening seven days a week would increase both revenue and expenses. In order to put this mill levy change to the voters this fall, they would have to develop ballot language by August.

Commissioner Hollingsworth remarked that the County owns the buildings. The previous Board talked more about using the General Fund for maintenance and repairs. Ryan said that “the point is, we have a good tool of what the cost will be.” Hollingsworth stressed that the general fund should cover repairs.

Chisolm estimated repairs to the Community Center at $19 million. The roof is “pretty bad,” and the parking lot is “in bad shape,” she said.

Commission Chair Marie Mornis said her main concerns are safety and continuity. Hollingsworth said the parking lot is dangerous. “We can’t wait to see if the mill levy will pass. Maybe voters will say ‘we don’t want to pay for that.’ ”

“We’re going to pay for the parking lot, which would then not be included in the mill levy. Take that out of the mill levy,” Mornis proposed. At the same time, she “doesn’t know about a bond… Voters don’t want to see us take on debt.”

Commissioner Susan Berumen said that 66 percent of the funding from the mill levy will come from commercial properties. Mornis said that if the County doesn’t get the funding, they will have to close the pool.

Rears said there will be a work session to go over the entire budget. Anyone from the public who wants to participate is welcome.

Gilpin County received a Rural Economic Development Initiative grant award through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, and hired Better City to create an Economic Development Strategic Plan and assist with its implementation. Better City Consultant Ryan Englund presented an economic development report.

The Planning Process from September 2022 through February 2023 utilized input from prior studies as well as individual interviews with community leaders, County staff, local business owners and residents. Two focus groups, representing Rollinsville and views of local youth, were also consulted.

Gilpin has a total population of 5,812, which includes two incorporated cities: Black Hawk (population 85) and Central City (population 680), and one census designated place - Rollinsville (population 194).

Black Hawk and Central City are former mining towns, which turned into casino cities in the 1990s thanks to an amendment to the state constitution allowing limited-stakes gaming within designated areas in each incorporated city.

Rollinsville was originally a central hub for surrounding mines, likely due to its location on the supply route. The decline in mining slowed the economy. However, within the past decade Rollinsville has become a hub again.

Englund has a meeting with Rollinsville residents on Thursday, April 13 at the Howlin Wind Brewery from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice President & CEO Keri Jaeger presented her organization’s programs. She related that Mount Evans covers 3,500 square miles in Gilpin, Clear Creek, and Park counties. Home health care is their biggest program with about 100 residents. They have a resident nurse practitioner and end of life care. Their Hospice program includes a broad group of social workers.

They have $225,000 per year in travel expenses. She asked that the Board consider funding them next year.

The Board read proclamations for April 2023 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the week of April 17 as Volunteers of the Week.

The Board went into executive session after which they offered County Manager Ray Rears a salary increase.

The Board will have a work session on April 18 and their regular meeting on April 25. For more information, go to https://gilpincounty.colorado. gov/public-meetings/board-of-countycommissioners bocc-meetings.