Larimer County Board of County Commissioners - Administrative Matters 7/30/24
by Mary Bohman
Highlights
Commissioners approved a 4-year plan to develop the county workforce with federal funds. The plan was prepared by the county’s Economic Workforce Development staff in collaboration with the Workforce Development Board composed of business, workforce, and community representatives.
At the 2024 Behavioral Health and Competency Convening conference, the 8th Judicial District Competency Docket team received the “Visionary Award”. Larimer County was the first to implement a competency docket in the State of Colorado in May of 2021.
Meeting Notes
Notable items from the unanimously approved Consent Agenda:
- An agreement for $11,774,299 for the annual renewal of inmate medical services with CorrHealth LLC.
- An agreement for $193,006 for jail services so that Fort Collins can hold sentenced and pre-sentenced offenders from the City of Fort Collins in the Larimer County Jail.
- The midterm appointment of Stephen Devlin to the Manor Ridge Estates Public Improvement District from July 20,2024 to November 30, 2025.
- Letter of support to the State Land Board to add the 640-acre Bear Track State Land Board Section into Colorado’s Stewardship Trust.
Larimer County Sheriff Feyen called into the meeting as a guest of the Commissioners to provide an update on the Alexander Mountain Fire. Residents can obtain the latest information from The Larimer County Website. A special meeting about the fire was slated for July 31.
Discussion Items
Federal funds boost workforce development
Mark Johnson, Director of the Department of Economic & Workforce Development, presented the Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) 4-Year Local Plan that will be funded with federal dollars. The plan was prepared by Johnson’s office and the Workforce Development Board, composed of business, workforce and community representatives. Under WIOA, the plan is required to be submitted every 5 years along with the Colorado State Plan. (Johnson’s slides and the complete plan can be found in the packet.) Highlights of the plan include advancing access to underrepresented populations, re-skilling, work-based learning (internships and apprenticeships), business consulting on job quality, and storytelling about strengths and areas of growth.
The Commissioners and County Manager noted the value of partnerships across business and community organization in developing the plan and delivering services. This approach will ensure that the plan delivers value to the community. Commissioners asked about outreach to underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities. Johnson responded that his office has ongoing outreach to groups through schools and nonprofits and has increased multilingual staffing. He said that as part of serving people with disabilities, his staff works with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The plan was approved unanimously.
Larimer County Justice Alternatives recognized
Emily Humphrey, Director of Community Justice Alternatives for the county, spoke about the county’s recent award for the 8th Judicial District Competency Docket team at the 2024 Behavioral Health and Competency Convening conference. She said Larimer County was the first to implement a competency docket in the State of Colorado in May of 2021. She added that the 8th Judicial District Competency Docket team makes a positive impact on often the most vulnerable individuals in our justice system and makes our community safer. Other dockets in Colorado and elsewhere have studied the program. Chief Judge Blanco of the 8th Judicial District spoke about her gratitude for the work she can do with an amazing team and partners. Blanco was selected as the recipient of Larimer County’s Judge Conrad Ball Award for her work to make the justice system fair, accessible, and equitable.
The Commissioners and County Manager thanked everyone for their dedication.
Commissioner Shadduck-McNally left for another commitment.
Preserving Open Space
The third and fourth discussion items asked for approval for expenditures of Help Preserve Open Spaces sales tax dollars, and for the County to hold conservation easements. First, Commissioners were asked to approve $400,000 and a conservation easement on Prairie Ridge Foothills in the separator between Fort Collins and Loveland at the southern end. The 140-acre addition will be managed as part of Prairie Ridge. Approval was also requested for $1.5 million and for a conservation easement for Rocky Ridge, a 404-acre parcel just south of Douglas Reservoir. Both purchases involve other partners. With Shadduck-McNally absent, the Commissioners approved both expenditures and easements 2-0.
Partnerships to support capacity building for Climate Smart Future
Heidi Pruess, Manager of the Office of Sustainability and Climate, asked to submit a grant to the Colorado Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. The grant program supports capacity building, but not program operations. This grant would provide support for Climate Smart Future Ready Action Teams:
- the Town of Johnstown to develop an operational and community greenhouse gas inventory, and
- the Town of Estes Park to develop an operational greenhouse gas inventory and Climate Action Plan.
The Commissioners and County Manager noted the value of partnerships with the county’s towns and the work to identify a no-match grant opportunity to build capacity. The Commissioners approved the grant submission 2-0, with Shadduck-McNally absent.
The Commissioners convened as the Board of Equalization to consider referee recommendations for a hearing held July 18, 2024. Elizabeth Carter from the Clerk and Recorder’s office corrected the packet to note that referee recommendations from July 24 will be considered in a special meeting on August 5. The recommendations were approved 2-0.
The Commissioners reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners. They transitioned to an Executive Session at 11am with no decisions expected.
Next Meeting
August 6, 2024, 9 a.m. at 200 West Oak, Ste. 2200 80521 or live streamed.
Present on August 30, 2024
Commissioners John Kefalas (Chair), Kristin Stephens, and Jody Shadduck-McNally (left early).
Staff: County Manager Lorenda Volker, Tom Clayton, and Sarah Martin. Also present: Heather Arment from the Clerk and Recorder’s Office
View the meeting agenda and packet.
When available, a video recording of the meeting will be on the Larimer County Government YouTube channel.
From the Board of Commissioners website:
“Larimer's three-member Board of County Commissioners is the main policy-making body in the County and works to represent the interest of the citizens of Larimer County at local, state and national levels. Commissioners are elected at large from one of three geographic districts for four-year staggered terms. In Larimer County, Commissioners are limited to serving three four-year terms.”
*Citizen Observers further the commitment of the League of Women Voters to its principle of Citizens Right to Know, however, we are not acting as journalists. Omissions and errors are possible. It is assumed that users of this information are responsible for their own fact-checking. This could include contacting a government clerk, conversing with an elected official or staff, and/or asking us to speak to the Observer who attended.