CENTRAL CITY - The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a regular meeting on June 10, 2025, at the Historic Courthouse in Central City.

At this meeting, they addressed various County matters, including security enhancements at the Sheriff's Office via the Neguse grant, upgrades to County parking lots, and new hires. 

Chair Sandy Hollingsworth, Commissioners Susan Berumen and Jeff Aiken were present. Also attending were additional staff members, County Manager Ray Rears, and County Attorney Todd Messenger.

New hire introductions included a new Recreation Coordinator, Shaun Wicen, and two employees joining the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office.

GCSO introduced the new Emergency Manager, Steven Mingura, and Ruth Strauss as the new Records Specialist. 

Sarah Alquist, newly appointed President and CEO of the Jefferson Center, introduced herself, and the commissioners warmly welcomed her. 

From the packet concerning security enhancements at the Sheriff's Office: “In 2022, Gilpin County was awarded the Neguse Grant, providing substantial funding to support the Emergency Operations buildout project within the Sheriff’s Office. The total grant award amounts to $138,557, with a required local match of 25% ($46,186), bringing the total project budget to $184,743.

“To date, the County has received $51,567.85 in grant reimbursements, leaving a remaining balance of $87,009.15.

“Additionally, the County has submitted $21,209.77 in eligible match expenses, including in-kind contributions, leaving $24,976.23 to be matched if the full project budget is utilized.

“Corvinus Group LLC has proposed a contract to complete the security upgrades outlined in the Neguse Grant for $96,020

“Of this amount, $72,000 will be covered by the grant, with the County responsible for a $24,000 match. Upon completion of these expenditures, the County will retain $15,009.15 in the grant budget, with $976.23 remaining as the local match, should the full project budget be expended.”

If the deadline to make the upgrades is not met, the County will be responsible for the entire amount. Hollingsworth sought assurances that the deadline would be met. 

Division Chief Greg Demo said the upgrade will enhance the parking lot's security systems and require its own infrastructure. 

The commissioners agreed to the 25% match for the grant, and all were in favor. 

Next, Gabrielle Chisholm, Parks and Recreation Director, explained the need for bus rentals to transport the summer program kids on field trips. She said the expense is already budgeted. All were in favor.

The Community Center, Justice Center, Health and Human Services facility, Historic Courthouse, and basketball court at Pete Gones Park will receive asphalt and concrete upgrades to correct drainage issues. 

All were in favor of Resolution 25-075, authorizing $765,000 in civil construction services on multiple sites.

Clerk and Recorder Sahari McCormick presented Resolution 25-071. She said the election plan for the November 4, 2025, election must be filed with the Secretary of State early in July. “We must designate a location for the VSPC (Voting Service & Polling Center) for this election to include with the election plan.”

All were in favor. 

Resolution 25-077, a recently added agenda item, concerned closing some County offices on July 3, 2025, to honor floating holidays. Since July 4 falls on a Friday when many offices are already closed, several offices have decided to close on Thursday, July 3, to receive the 10 hours of paid holiday time.

Rears opted for employees using their holiday time instead of paid time off. 

Hollingsworth said she did not think a resolution was necessary. Berumen said it could cause confusion in public-facing offices. Aiken said someone should be able to answer the phone on a Thursday. 

The resolution passed unanimously to allow the County Manager’s discretion when allowing reduced staffing levels in certain offices on July 3. 

Rears said there will be a work session on July 15, 2025, to discuss workforce housing, a housing survey, senior housing, and Rollinsville. 

The next regular BoCC meeting will be held on June 24, 2025, at the Historic Courthouse in Central City.