The Garfield County commissioners (BOCC) jumped right into the final regular meeting of the month on Monday. The BOCC approved the county’s Board of Equalization adjustments for tax year 2024 and  the consent agenda. They also heard updates from nonprofits Literacy Outreach and Valley Settlement.

Lori Goodwin, deputy director of Human Services, presented the monthly electronic benefits transfer (EBT) numbers. The total disbursement for July was for $1,890,402.80 — the highest it’s been all year. The lowest EBT disbursement was in April for $902,791.75. Goodwin said that the increase is due to the summer EBT disbursements for children, a program started during the pandemic. “It’s $40 per child for every month that school is closed,” she explained.

Ambulance licensing 
Public Health Director Josh Williams presented that the state of Colorado took over ambulance licensing statewide in July, but local governments can also opt to maintain local licensing. “The state is just cutting out the authority of the county and taking over and just brushing us aside,” opined Commission Chair John Martin. “So I think we need to continue to do what we have.” 

County attorney Heather Beattie commented that perhaps the state wants to make ambulance licensing uniform statewide. “Although, of course, everybody can have a different opinion about why the state does what it does,” she said.

Commissioner Tom Jankovsky said,“The state is overbearing by taking regulatory authority from the county.” He mentioned severance taxes and how the county is involved in a lawsuit against that. “I hate to put additional burden on ambulances to get two licenses.” 

Commissioner Mike Samson stated that the county needs to make a stand. “We have preached that local control is important,” he said. “I’m tired of state government trying to take revenue and authority away.” Both Martin and Samson voted in favor of maintaining local control over ambulance licensing. Jankovsky voted “nay.” 

Environmental health updates
The BOCC heard about county wastewater, air quality, radon gas, mosquito and food safety programs from Environmental Health Manager Jannette Whitcomb. For 2023, air quality test results showed 266 “good” days for ozone levels, 98 “moderate” days and one “unhealthy” day. For PM2.5 levels, the county experienced 364 “good” days, one “moderate” day and no “unhealthy” days. Whitcomb said that wildfire smoke from outside the county increases ozone levels. The air quality report is available at www.tinyurl.com/GarCOAir 

In 2023, the county’s Environmental Health Department distributed 224 radon gas test kits, 80% of which were completed and returned. Fifty-five of the returned tests showed a need for mitigation. Whitcombe added that West Nile virus has been identified in mosquitos found in Battlement Mesa and warns the public to take precautions when outdoors. 

Jankovsky requested an update on the potable water situation at Apple Tree Park in New Castle. Whitcomb said that communications between park operators and residents have improved, and that the state has installed a drinking water station for residents. Starting in July, the state’s Mobile Home Water Quality Act requires testing in all mobile home parks to help the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment create water quality improvement plans. 

Axtell Park
The BOCC also discussed the Axtell Park situation and took public comments. The 100-year old park, at 1102 Grand Avenue in Glenwood Springs, was recently dismantled and neighborhood residents are up in arms. 

Bentley Henderson, deputy county man-
ager, explained that the problem began when the county’s Human Services Department needed more staff in the building, also at 1102 Grand Avenue. More staff means more parking so the playground equipment was removed to put in a parking lot. Picnic tables, trash receptacles and restroom facilities have also been removed, shutting residents out of the long-established park.

The upshot is that the BOCC plans to restore the park to its original glory and pay for park maintenance. Glenwood Springs City Manager Steve Boyd apologized to the residents for the lack of communication. 

“It appears that discretion was not taken into consideration,” said Samson. “The commissioners are committed to getting this straight and will make [the park] better than it was.” 

Residents in the audience applauded the BOCC after being promised that a future planning meeting would include input from residents. 

You can find the entire meeting at
www.tinyurl.com/GarCoAug19