John Scarffe, Boulder County. Two new commissioners were sworn into office during the January 12, 2021, virtual reorganization meeting of the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners. The Board also elected officers, heard statements from outgoing and incoming commissioners and passed resolutions for annual appointments.

Outgoing Commissioners Elise Jones and Chair Deb Gardner highlighted their times as commissioners. Jones said, “This has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve as commissioner.” 

The County staff are very dedicated, she said, acknowledging Chief of Staff Michelle Krezek and County Administrator Jana Petersen “All the department heads are rock stars. Here in Boulder County, we all play on the same team.”

She thanked the other commissioners and said couldn’t ask for a better partner and friend than Deb Gardner. To the incoming commissioners, she said it’s hard to leave the county, but it’s easier knowing they are handing it over to the two of you.

Jones said she is proud of things the commissioners did together, including prioritizing racial inequality, the creation of the Office of Sustainability, Climate Action and Resilience (OSCAR) and a regional affordable housing strategy. Transportation improvements include the express lane project on U.S. Highway 36 and improved bus routes. 

The commissioners continued the County’s open space strategy with new trails. They also have been responding to disasters such as fires, the flood and the pandemic. 

“Today is bittersweet after the past eight years, but I will begin a new project. This is not a goodbye, but I will see you around.” 

Gardner said, “Ditto.” She had time on January 4 to go into detail with staff. She thanked the voters for passing taxes and initiatives. Highlights include working on alternative sentencing to revamp the way we incarcerate people, which is reflected in the number of 227 folks in the jail now, and at times more than 500 people were in the jail. Chief Judge Ingrid Bakke coming on also helped. 

Another big thing was the switch to Oracle for the Office of Financial Management and the racial equity work we are doing. They have been working for years to reduce systemic racism, recognizing that and the hard changes. 

“At the end of the day, it comes down to the people. This is the best thing I’ve ever done in my entire life.”

Gardner thanked Michelle Krezek and said she couldn’t have done what she did without her. She also remembered being part of the first all-female Board with Elise Jones and Cindy Domenico. We were a great team for the last nine years.

Then Chief Judge Bakke conducted the Swearing-in of Elected Officials: Commissioner Claire Levy and Commissioner Marta Loachamin. Bakke administered the oath of office to each commissioner separately.

The new Board called the Reorganization Meeting to order and elected Matt Jones for Chair to the Board of County Commissioners and Loachamin as vice-chair. 

Matt Jones thanked Elise and Deb. “You had great challenges and you rose to those challenges.” They took action on climate, oil and gas, human services and racial equity. 

“I appreciate the people in this county. You make this place the place it is.”

The Commissioners have worked on climate change and need to continue working on what has been done with wind and solar. “We need to protect the people we serve. We need to protect the open space so it’s a great place for people to visit,” Jones said. 

Work needs to continue on racial equity, and Jones said he is happy to work with everyone to do that. He has survived two cancers, and knows you need to come back stronger. The County is still working on flood damage with FEMA, the pandemic and the Calwood Fire. 

I’m excited to work with the new commissioners and looking forward to hearing what they have to say,” Jones said.

Claire Levy said her husband, family and friends have been supportive during the election. She follows an incredible leader, Elise Jones, and will have the most incredible staff. 

The County is on the leading edge to reverse the ravages of climate change, Levy said. The County provides housing and human services and supports families that are in crisis. Local government is where people turn in a crisis. Now, 11 months into Covid, people are facing evictions. 

“That’s why I sought this job,” Levy said. I heard about how hard it is for people to work and devote too much of their income for housing and how hard it is to find human services. 

Don’t discount the work on sustainability and climate change, road maintenance and public service with compassion. “I will try my hardest to make good decisions.” 

The previous commissioners and Matt Jones put in long hours, and Levy said she hopes to do the same. “I believe we can address the greatest issues. I’m beyond thrilled.”

Loachamin thanked Deb and Elise and said she will do her best to continue their legacies of public service. “You are gifting us all.” This is a difficult time for Boulder County employees, who have a unique perspective. 

Loachamin said she will continue her work to advocate for those who don’t usually come to the courthouse, and looking critically at climate action. “You are invited to participate in all the public hearings and my office hours.” 

They can craft new solutions and invite new people. New steps in equity are about to begin. “I will be asking for a vote on a racial diversity office,” she said. “I am committed, and I hope you are too.”

The Board passed resolutions designating the official newspapers for 2021 as the Boulder Daily Camera and Longmont Daily Times-Call, designating the official meeting days of the Board of County Commissioners and directing posting of notice of meetings, designating the official County Holidays for 2021 and New Year’s Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, authorizing the Vice-Chair to act in the absence of the Chair, appointment of Commissioners to Working Groups.

The Board approved personnel appointments: County Attorney – Ben Pearlman, Chief of Staff – Michelle Krezek, Chief Financial Officer – Ramona Farineau, County Administrator – Jana Petersen, Chief Sustainability Officer – Susie Strife, Information Technology Director – Shawn Bleam, Human Resources Director – Julia Larsen, Community Services Director – Robin Bohannan, Public Works Director – Jeff Maxwell, Community Planning and Permitting Director – Dale Case, Parks & Open Space Director – Eric Lane.

The meeting began with a video, which was a thank you from department heads to take the time to truly thank everyone for their service to the county. After the video, commissioners and staff reported on the State of the County highlighting the achievements of each department during the year.

The next meeting of the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners was on January 14, 2021. The next virtual meeting will be on January 19, 2021. For more information go to https://www.bouldercounty

(Originally published in the January 14, 2020, edition of The Mountain-Ear.