Board of County Commissioners policy directives and action plan 2022

The following is a compilation of the policy directives, strategies and priorities of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) for the calendar year 2022 that promote the County’s mission to deliver quality services to the citizens of Garfield County. This list reflects key priorities identified by the BOCC throughout the public hearings in consideration of the 2022 Adopted Budget. These are in addition to the annual processes, initiatives, work plans, and programs currently underway and day-to-day operations and services provided to the community. These straightforward goals are the core of a dynamic strategic planning process, which is adaptive and will be ongoing throughout 2022.

Infrastructure and Investment

  • Continue to execute the 10‐year master plan for the Garfield County Airport as a general aviation airport including completing of the tether pull, east area electrical vault and CoE restrooms.
  • Improve the county’s road and bridge system by completing the final paving of Phase 1 of the CR 215 rebuild. Additionally, complete the engineering for phases 3 and 4 of the CR 215 rebuild and seek grant funding to construct phases 2 – 4. Complete the annual chip sealing of 11 miles of county roads and three miles of asphalt paving.
  • Complete the final phases of the CR 109 Hardwick Bridge as a component to Safe Routes to Schools for Riverview School. Advance trail improvements including Silt to New Castle, New Castle to Canyon Creek, and LOVA sections. Assist with Hanging Lake trail rebuild and mountain bike trail opportunities.
  • Maximize the Garfield County Fairgrounds as a year‐round events center with enhanced promotions and capital investments. Upgrade and remodel the warehouse at 937 Railroad Avenue for use by the 4H and CSU Extension programs including the construction of the associated outdoor classroom. Evaluate potential future use of the NAPA building.
  • Improve the county’s regional communications network infrastructure by completing Phase I of the middle mile network. Continue improvements to the regional network by advancing Phase II grant applications and partnerships with Region 10. Increase tenants on county remote communication towers with promotion and advertising.
  • Amend the Garfield County Landfill Master Plan to include the recently purchased adjacent Langstaff property including the development and use of the associated water rights.
  • Continue to promote infrastructure projects that are priorities for our local communities in the county with state and federal grants through the Intermountain Transportation Planning Region (IMTPR).

Health and Human Services

  • Support the aging population through Garfield County’s senior services and community health  programs, and through decisions on land use, transportation, housing, economic development and health care. Complete the Senior Needs Assessment.
  • Advance our support for local nonprofits through the Human Services Commission.
  • Promote overall community physical and mental health and by preventing disease and by providing quality services; fulfilling State grants; and through collaboration and partnerships.
  • Respond to the continued COVID-19 pandemic through disease prevention, vaccination, and economic recovery through 2022.
  • Continue to explore all viable mental health options throughout Garfield County with partners including Mind Springs and Aspen Hope Center.
  • Consider Garfield County’s participation level with the State of Colorado with our Community Corrections program and implement our new Work Release program.
  • Work with State legislators and local health providers to reduce the cost of health insurance and health care in Garfield County.
  • Work with the City of Glenwood Springs, Mind Springs, local hospitals and communities in support of a Detox Center facility in Garfield County.
  • Emphasize options for increased and affordable child care through partnerships and grants as well as evaluate options to lessen regulatory barriers in the County’s Land Use and Development Code.

Community Outreach and Transparency

  • Commitment to partnerships and good communication with the cities, towns, and communities within its borders through intergovernmental agreements, joint meetings, town halls, and quarterly meetings with mayors and managers.
  • Commitment to supporting non-profit organizations through the Human Services Commission grants and partnerships.
  • Increase transparency and improve community relations by providing improved access to meetings, information, financial data and services.
  • Highlight County activities, decisions, proclamations, awards and events through press releases, public service announcements and other media forms.
  • Advance the county’s website as a communication tool.
  • Continue to support the mission of the Energy Advisory Board and host the 8th Annual Energy Environment Symposium.
  • Commitment to support the Latino Community Committee as an advisory committee to the BOCC.

Economic Development

  • Promote economic development around the Garfield County Airport to leverage opportunities with private industry, such as hangar development, with general aviation activities and with government entities such as the Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting, the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Training Facility, the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit, and the SEAT base.
  • Advance broadband systems and partnerships in Garfield County and with Region 10, including Phase I regional network implementation and Phase II partnerships and design.
  • Protect Garfield County and Western Slope water rights including negotiations, the facilitation of a semi‐annual Garfield County Water Forum, and maximize Board involvement on statewide and regional water issues including the Colorado River Basin Roundtable, the Colorado River Water Conservation District and the Middle Colorado Watershed Council’s conservation planning.
  • Collaborate with the Federal, State, other county governments, and pursue all opportunities to lower health insurance and the cost of health care in Garfield County and on the Western Slope of Colorado.
  • Prioritize economic development through capital projects, policies, programs and collaboration including working with Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC), their federal Economic Development District, the Rifle Regional Economic Development Corporation, the Carbondale COVENTURE and Garfield County economic development roundtables.
  • Continue our work with Garfield Clean Energy and focus additional funding for energy efficiency on senior and low-income households to build a resilient economy with clean energy. Work with Garfield Clean Energy and private industry to enhance clean energy programs and clean energy infrastructure in Garfield County. Look at state and federal grants for county and municipal clean energy projects. Incorporate Garfield Clean Energy’s recently completed mapping tool into the county’s Energy Resource Inventory.
  • Showcase the Garfield County Fair and Rodeo as a premiere event for the Western Slope with premier talent, events and carnival.
  • Participate in community discussions on affordable and attainable housing through land-use decisions, policies, programs and collaboration.
  • Maximize natural resource opportunities in the Piceance Basin through land use code updates, active collaboration with industry, Federal, State and local governments to support export facilities that serve the Piceance Basin.
  • Support the agriculture industry through policies, decisions and programs on land use, noxious weeds, farm-to-table programs, water policies, educational programs, partnerships and through collaboration, funding and cost-sharing programs with National Resource Conservation Services.
  • Support the tourism industry and improve the quality of life and health through building and improving trails and roads for bikes and pedestrians through partnerships, and Conservation Trust Fund grants.
  • Provide support for the economy and private business to recover from COVID19 pandemic restrictions through the Board of Public Health’s policies and direction.

Federal, State and Local Policy Agenda

  • Continue the purpose of preserving historic access to public lands, historical right of ways and county roads within Garfield County.
  • Advance the interests of the county through leadership, policy development and active representation in the National Association of Counties (WIR), Colorado Counties, Inc., Club 20, and the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado.
  • Advocate the sustainability of the Federal PILT, severance tax, Federal mineral lease and Secure Rural Schools funding programs.
  • Coordinate and participate as a Cooperating Agency in the BLM’s effort supporting the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding the Greater Sage Grouse including the use of the Garfield County Greater Sage Grouse Conservation Plan. Continue to participate with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and stakeholders regarding the re introduction of the grey wolf in Colorado.
  • Continue to work with the 23 member Western and Rural Local Governments Coalition and participate in SB 181 rulemaking.
  • Actively coordinate and cooperate with the Bureau of Land Management regarding 1) the Environmental Assessment of Rocky Mountain Resources’ (RMR) proposal to drill 5 water monitoring wells and 2) the pending Environmental Impact Statement for RMRs proposed limestone mine expansion.
  • Work with Federal land managers to insure natural resource development and multiple use on federal lands.
  • Coordinate with federal land managers to ensure natural resource development and multiple use on Federal lands by implementing the Board’s policies in the Garfield County Federal Land Natural Resources Coordination Plan and Policies. Continue to engage and develop the county’s strategy regarding the so called “30 x 30” program.
  • Coordinate with the White River National Forest and Colorado Parks and Wildlife on the future
    use and management of the Sweetwater Lake property.

Organizational, Core and Internal Services

  • Commitment to making Garfield County the employer of choice in the region through continued engagement of employees on competitive pay and benefits; professional development and targeted training.
  • Conduct an organization-wide review of the county’s health plan and analysis of options.
  • Promote a culture of safety and advance the county’s risk management activities.
  • Ensure the fiscal sustainability of county operations with a balanced annual budget, operate within it and continue developing long‐term revenue forecasts and financial strategies for the county’s organizational structure and Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan.
  • Continue to upgrade and maintain the motor pool fleet vehicles for safety and reliability purposes, and implement the new Motor Pool Policy through Motor Pool User’s committee.
  • Advance IT cyber security, network infrastructure and data storage, maintenance of computer equipment and replacements, and increase the security of the county’s website. Continue the work of the Technology Advisory Committee and IT Assessment recommendations.
  • Update the employee handbook to include cyber-security policy and advance the education and training on cyber security.
  • Add grant writer capacity through requests for proposals and contracts.