The Custer County Board of Commissioners approved a policy December 10 requiring board approval for all pay raises outside the standard budget process, ending department heads’ ability to reallocate budget funds for staff raises without commissioner oversight.
Resolution 25-62 establishes that any pay increase not already budgeted must receive board approval, even if a department has surplus funds. Commissioner Lucas Epp said the policy prevents “budget creep during the year” where departments shift money from other line items to increase salaries without commissioners knowing. “We get a notice saying, we interviewed this person and this is the amount we want to pay them. And we have no say so on that amount,” Chairman Bill Canda said.
The resolution sparked debate about timing requirements. The policy initially required approved raises to take effect only at the beginning of the next pay cycle. Robert Smith from Human Resources raised concerns this could lock the county into situations not in its best interest. County Attorney Dan Slater clarified that pay raises already authorized in the budget can still happen between pay cycles, but extraordinary raises requiring board approval must follow the pay cycle timing for payroll processing.
Jim Shaplin from the public suggested calling it “non-budget pay raises” rather than “non-standard pay raises” since most county raises occur during the annual budget process. After extended discussion, commissioners approved the policy unanimously to maintain budget control.
Road and Bridge Praised for Snow Clearing Efficiency
Canda praised Road and Bridge for efficient snow clearing after last week’s storm, noting one complete clearing cycle costs roughly $80,000 including benefits. The department changed strategy, waiting until 1:00 a.m. after the storm ended rather than repeatedly clearing routes during the storm. “At one o’clock at night they were out there clearing that snow and they had all the snow routes open. The school could have had school if they didn’t want it,” Canda said.
The western part of the county against the mountain received the heaviest snow, about 2.5 inches at Bear Basin. Commissioner Paul Vogelsang noted increased traffic on Highway 96, observing 50 cars passing Bear Basin yesterday morning compared to the usual 15-20.
Year-End Resolutions Clean Up County Business
The board approved 13 resolutions handling year-end budget amendments, donations, vehicle sales, and policy updates. Budget amendments covered sheriff’s office grants (25-51), Tyler system costs (25-52), sheriff capital improvements (25-53), IT operations (25-54), Office of Emergency Management (25-55), and coroner capital improvements (25-56).
Resolution 25-59 established Fund 56 as the Health Insurance Internal Service Fund. Resolutions 25-57 and 25-58 acknowledged receipt of monetary and tangible donations to the county.
Two resolutions cleaned up vehicle sale paperwork issues. Resolution 25-60 authorized the correct title transfer for a Dodge Ram sold to a salvage company after the wrong title was initially provided. Resolution 25-61 documented the sale of a livestock trailer to Chance Walls for $6,600 on GovDeals.com after the buyer already took possession. The trailer had been donated to the county and sat unused before being sold.
Resolution 25-63 formalized the process requiring all county vehicle VIN inspections be performed by Clerk and Recorder Kelly Campert regardless of whether other county employees are authorized for such inspections.
Contracts and Grants
The board approved an $18,000 contract with Early Milestones for the Custer County Early Childhood Needs Assessment funded through the DOLA Local Government Child Care Planning grant. Work starts in January with completion by end of May. Early Milestones also did Fremont County’s assessment.
The county was awarded $25,000 of the requested $75,000 from the Underfunded Courts Grant to determine costs for a new courtroom/courthouse.
Internet Contract Tabled for Attorney Review
The board tabled an AireSpring internet contract offering Starlink Enterprise and Lumen fiber with enhanced speeds for $700 less per month than current costs. County Attorney Slater said he received the contract Monday and needs time to review terms including venue clauses specifying California/Los Angeles County and additional terms incorporated from AireSpring’s website. The item returns December 18.
Planning and Development
The board approved a vacation and replat for Rodeback on Altamira adjusting lot lines to fit homes with topography without changing acreage. Planning Commission member Kit Schei caught that the utility easement had been removed from the first map, and the surveyor corrected it.
The board approved a letter supporting the Silver Cliff Baseball Field Project seeking grants to replace scoreboards, PA system, and fencing for fields used by Custer County Baseball Team and Wet Mountain Valley Youth Baseball Teams.
Sheriff Surplus Sale Approved
The board authorized sale of sheriff surplus items on GovDeals.com including 14 coats/cold weather jackets, 22 pairs of gloves, torque wrenches, parkas, aluminum water tank, pants, tires and rims, bags, trailer, mule ATV in rough shape, and 10 sheriff department badges.
Commissioner Reports
Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District: Commissioners are hosting the Upper Arkansas Water Conservancy District December 18 at 1:00 p.m. at Ranchers Roost. The meeting will cover Arkansas River history, current projects including raising Lake Dewees water level four feet, Round Mountain’s new water supply for Westcliffe and Silver Cliff, and strategic vision to protect valley water by moving the blue line further south.
Pornography Blocking Initiative: Canda reported the county is working with engineering firm Canopy offering pornography blocking for government buildings at approximately $1 per device for a five-year license. Several counties expressed interest at the Colorado Counties Inc. meeting. The county plans to band together with three or four counties to implement it in taxing districts, schools, sheriff’s office, county buildings, and fire departments.
Broadband Update: Canda requested a year-end recap on the broadband initiative, with Hilltop wanting to pursue fiber from Walsenburg to Texas Creek.
Tumbleweed Terminator: At the CCI meeting, Canda highlighted a machine invented by local resident Ron Beckner that mounts on a skid steer and eats tumbleweeds along fence lines without damaging fences. The invention drew significant interest, especially from eastern plains counties where tumbleweeds are problematic.
Community Corral: The Community Corral happens Sunday at First Baptist Church at 1:00, 2:00, and 4:00 p.m. to start the Christmas season, with about 50 local people involved.
Flight for Life Presentation: Vogelsang announced a presentation Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Tony’s for Flight for Life, clarifying it’s a company marketing insurance for emergency transport.
Epp reported working on the budget, which must be approved by December 15. The board scheduled a special meeting Monday to approve the budget and no-levy certifications. A snowstorm and power outage Thursday shut down operations for about half a day.
Executive Session
The board entered executive session to discuss personnel matters per C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(f). Participants were the three commissioners, County Clerk and Recorder Kelly Campert, and County Attorney Slater. Attorney Slater attested all conversations fell under personnel matters.
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