Short meeting this week for the Garfield County Commissioners (BOCC). Robert Weidner, lobbyist on behalf of the Rural Public Lands County Council, was up first. He said the county should have received a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) of just under $4 million last week and that the Secure Rural Schools program, whose authorization has expired, could be included in Congress’ Farm Bill. He’s concerned about the U.S. Interior Department’s (USDI) proposed increase of mineral leasing royalties. The Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule, which became final in April, will raise royalties from 12.5% to 16.7%, among other things.
According to the USDI, the intention is to revise the Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas leasing regulations for a balanced approach to development, a fair return to taxpayers, and to help reduce conflicts between oil and gas activities and protection of wildlife habitat and cultural sites. But, said Weidner, “Clearly [it] is designed to dampen fossil fuel extraction for both oil and gas, coal and any other mining activities that are included in the leasable minerals portion of the law.”
He told the BOCC that the U.S. Supreme Court decision on June 28, overturning the Chevron deference, is “really good news.” (The 1984 Chevron v Natural Resources Defense Council precedent allowed judges to defer to federal agencies when interpreting ambiguous laws. The Supreme Court decision reverses that and allows courts to rely on their own interpretation.) “It gave control to federal agencies over any statute that was ambiguous or where the agency didn’t fully understand what Congress intended,” said Weidner. “We’re back to having the courts decide, the way we have historically, and that should make a big, big difference in the amount of unauthorized, non-congressional, executive branch mischief.”
Commissioner Mike Samson said, “I hope there’s a swing back to more sensible governing.” The BOCC approved a $7,500 payment to Weidner for the second quarter of 2024.
In other news, commissioners approved a liquor license and a “modification of premise” for tasting events at Catherine Store. They also approved the consent agenda with a brief discussion of the contract with Alan Kokish Inc dba Aspen Chef for the older adults nutrition program. Commissioner Jankovsky questioned why only one person bid on providing food for the program and said he’d like to see a more competitive pool of caterers or restaurateurs. The BOCC unanimously approved $172,591 for Alan Kokish Inc. and $182,500 for the City of Rifle to provide food for the older adult nutrition programs.
With nothing else on the morning agenda, the BOCC discussed progress on county road upgrades, including CR 215. They also discussed adding amenities to Axtell Park in Glenwood Springs, which the county now operates.
Fred Jarman, county manager, announced that Jessica Roberts has been hired as the county human resource director, replacing Diane Hayes who retires in September.
The BOCC agreed to lease 400 acre-feet of water reserves in Ruedi Reservoir to the Colorado Water Conservation Board to protect endangered fish in the 15 Mile Reach of the Colorado River.
Bentley Henderson, deputy county manager, introduced Coral Miller as the new county fairgrounds events manager. The BOCC was informed that a new flagpole structure at the Veterans Center will cost up to $10,000 and would include the American flag and the POW flag.
Commission Chair John Martin said neither elevator in the courthouse is working. He wants them repaired before opening the south entrance to the courthouse, which was sealed in 2008. Martin also said he was contacted by Age-Friendly Carbondale about Highway 133 concerns.
In the afternoon, Wes Miller was appointed to the county planning and zoning board, and Luke Gosda to the county board of adjustment. A public hearing for a land use change permit for a small solar farm at 584 CR 331 was continued until after a site visit scheduled for July 11.