The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners rescinded Stage 2 Fire Restrictions and approved two agreements with the Volunteers of America for senior transportation and nutrition services during a special meeting at 9 a.m. on May 24, 2022. The Board also approved reclassifying the Finance Director Grade and a Human Resources Department Structure.

Based on the recommendation of Sheriff Kevin Armstrong, the Board approved a resolution to rescind the Stage 2 Fire Ban. The Board approved Stage 2 Fire Restrictions at its meeting on May 17.

Mary Ellen Makosky with the Human Services Department introduced two agreements with Volunteers of America (VOA), one for Senior Transportation and the second for Senior Nutrition Services. She said she wanted to present the annual contract we have been signing for 25 years, and it has not been changed except the dates.

These require Board approval to continue the agreements to run the transportation and nutrition services for Gilpin County Seniors. Gilpin County has been providing these services to Gilpin County seniors for 24 years. VOA pays $2,180 per month to Gilpin County to assist with the cost of the operation of the Dining Center, Meals on Wheels and Transportation. VOA also provides three vehicles and pays for maintenance, insurance and fuel.

VOA also reimburses Gilpin County $4.50 for each meal served or delivered. The nutrition program contract states three congregate lunches per week. Volunteers of America knows that Gilpin County is working toward providing three congregate lunches per week. They are hoping to start a second lunch in June.

Funds from VOA will pass through to Gilpin County a total sum of $26,160 ($13,080 to Nutrition Programs and $13,080 to Transportation Program) per year payable at a rate of $2,180 per month beginning July 1, 2022.

Commissioner Linda Isenhart said regarding the transportation contract, we have been short-handed with drivers. Makosky said that the County gets the same support for transportation regardless of the numbers, but the numbers have gone up. They are transporting as many people as they can and do it in such a way that they can take more than one appointment at a time. Everyone has been gracious.

The Board approved the transportation agreement. Regarding the Senior Nutrition Services Agreement, Isenhart said she has heard that the food service vendor hasn’t been well received. Are there any changes being discussed about that?

Makosky said that is in discussion, and they have been meeting weekly with Summit, which provides the meals, to talk about concerns. Summit looked at their concerns and will make the meals better. The Board approved the Senior Nutrition Services agreement.

Chanda Johnson, Human Resources director, proposed reclassifying the Finance Director Grade. The position has been open since July 2021. They have had 44 candidates apply, and some were not qualified and others turned it down due to pay.

The position has no current applicants and remains unfilled after three unsuccessful conditional offers made to candidates. Data from the 2021 Employers Council - Public Employers Survey shows the difference between Gilpin County’s compensation for the Finance Director position and 17 participating counties across Colorado.

Gilpin County compensation intersects at roughly the 20th percentile. Of the participating counties, the average salary for the Director of Finance position was $136,323. This is $1,439 short from our maximum rate of $137,762 for our Finance Director position.

The needs of the county justify the request for a market increase of this position. The Finance Director has a significant role in accurate business reporting, forecasting, budgeting and financial monitoring. Johnson recommended increasing the salary grade for the Finance Director position from salary grade 24 to salary grade 26.

Commissioner Isenhart said we have to be competitive with our neighbors. Commissioner Web Sill said a 50 percent increase is a pretty good jump. Isenhart said it makes sense, and she will put forward a motion. Sill said it’s $140,000 for six months. A Finance Director is different for Jefferson County.

Johnson said Clear Creek County is at $126,000. Grade 26 in Gilpin County starts at $114,000, and they need to be closer to $130,000. The current interim director has declined the position.

County Manager Ray Rears said he supports this. The midpoint of the salary range will give them the flexibility for negotiation.

Board Chair Sandy Hollingsworth said she is not sure how long the County can go without a finance director. Isenhart moved to increase the Finance Director pay to pay grade 26, and the Board approved with Sill voting against it.

Johnson proposed a Human Resources Department Structure by restructuring the department instead of back filling. Due to recent staffing changes in the Human Resources Department, staff would like to request a modification to the structure of the department, according to the proposal. Based on the current structure and immediate needs, staff would like to hire an HR Assistant or an Office Assistant and train them to eventually move into the Human Resources Specialist position, according to the proposal. This is not a request for two positions.

This would allow us to address administrative items that remain backlogged, provide career progression within the department and allow an individual to grow in their responsibilities within the team and the County as they build on their Human Resource skills. This request would provide annual cost savings of $11,582.

The projected cost saving could ideally be redirected to departmental trainings. Human Resources is involved in several sensitive matters including hiring, compensation, compliance, leave administration, workers compensation and protected medical data. Training would allow for the members of the team to focus on growth, development and the ever-changing field of Human Resources. The current departmental budget allows for $1,225 in meetings, conferences, trainings, and meals with $50 for travel, transportation, mileage, and parking.

Isenhart said it sounds like a good opportunity. The Board approved one HR specialist and one office assistant.

The next meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners will be on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at 9 a.m. For more information go to https:// www.gilpincounty.org/public_ meetings/ bo_ c_ c_ meetings.