The Washington County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, July 27th. Pastor Linda Hoover of the United Methodist Church opened with prayer, followed by the “oath of allegiance”.

Teresa Traxler and Grant Smith, Director of the Department of Human Services, met for their monthly meeting. Traxler went through the financial report. They said the air conditioning in the building works so much better. Smith said the state told them to go through all Medicaid applications to see if they qualify.

Pam McKay made her report. Applications had declined in July, but they were busy with child protection cases. Most of them are now on trial and struggling to get cases on the judge’s files.

“We definitely need to work with families and see what we can do for the kids, but when we are asked to do things that don’t happen in northeast Colorado, it’s frustrating,” added McKay.

She said the adult protection services were up and running and they had received 20 referrals this year, that was all the referrals they had in 2020. They lost a foster home, so there are now only five houses left.

Traxler then discussed the financial report. She went through all the departments and where they stand nationwide. She asked the commissioners to go through the childcare services contract and, if they agreed, to each of them sign the contract. The contract has been approved and signed.

Washington County Nursing Home administrator Brenda Rhea said it had 37 residents. Nothing has changed so far due to COVID, but she believes there will be changes later in August. During the week of the fair, residents can ride the Ferris wheel and one day order hamburgers at the Lions booth so that residents can enjoy them. They have submitted a financial report and they are currently reporting an annual profit. In July there were 40 residents, except in the last week.

Pioneer Haven has two open plan singles and two doubles, but there is a small waiting list.

The public comment time opened and Lacie Harman spoke about the Cattlewomen’s 5K they were hosting during the fair and asked if the meeting on the discussion of wind and solar towers would be in the evening so people wouldn’t have to go to work . Sally Strand then spoke on the same subject. Your main concern is the setbacks. She also worries about the transmission lines and how they might get in the way of others.

“We have rights as landowners, so please don’t hold us against those who don’t talk about it,” said Strand.

Jenna Perry spoke about the towers and how they really want the commissioners to think about opening the country to towers. After that, the public session was closed.

Administrative assistant Denise Chavez gave the planning and zoning report. The Harms extension has been submitted. Matt and Bridget Glosson want 18.1 acres of land on County Roads BB and 40 acres to be zoned off to build their new home. The commissioners voted to resume planning and zoning to make the decisions first. Viaero Brush East Tower asked for building permit 21-17 but they cannot decide so no decision has been made.

Emergency manager Bryant McCall said there were four active COVID-19 cases, one new, and a positivity rate of 2.48 percent. There was a case of the delta variant. Deliveries were discussed and it was felt that it is no longer necessary to order.

District Administrator Misty Peterson made her report. The first was to furnish and paint a new car for the Sheriff’s Department. The commissioner approved the $ 8,014.93 capital purchase for work on the new vehicle. They then discussed the agreement for Iconergy through the end of the year and the agreement can be changed if necessary. The chair’s signature was approved. There was also a letter to be sent to a resident requesting a board hearing regarding property taxes. The hearing was scheduled for August 3 at 10 a.m. A letter to Christine Young and Bryant McCall as a member of the WY Communication Center board and another to Alan Hefty, who was not on the board, was approved, but thanked him for his work with the county. Stephanie Ricker also had a separate contract for her work during the fair and this was approved.

The auditor must come back and do a separate review based on the amount of grants the county has received. An extension is now required to submit the audit and it has been approved by the board.

Ambulance Director Collin Patterson spoke to the board about a child restraint system that is required for ambulances. The purchase amount is $ 1,582.35 and you have that on your budget. The purchase has been approved.

The meeting was then adjourned without further business.