Maybe it’s because we’re coming up on the winter holidays and everyone is ready for some time off. Maybe it’s because we’re coming up on the end of the year and no one wants to start anything new. Maybe it’s the early-morning icy roads that are keeping the December Garfield Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meetings short.
Monday’s meeting adjourned by 9:30am. But, unlike last week’s meeting, it included public comment. Garfield County resident Bonnie Draina described herself as a “frequent patron of the library.” She expressed concerns about the proposed intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the Garfield County Public Library District and the county commissioners that’s been a controversial flashpoint since John Martin was in office. Resolution 24-12, which put the library Board of Trustees appointment process in the hands of the BOCC, was passed in March 2024.
“[It] reverses nearly two decades of practice for trustee selection,” said Draina. “We have an award-winning library district that serves all residents regardless of politics, and a nonpartisan government is crucial for its success.”
Draina pointed to the BOCC’s recent history with the library Board of Trustees, including how it changed when the library district was formed by popular vote in 2006 and that the influence of a few members of the public threatens the district’s independence.
“The library district board has no check on the power of the commissioners,” she added. “And while you gentlemen may be honorable and acting with the best of intentions, we have no idea who will be sitting in your seats in the coming decades.”
She urged the BOCC to not reverse the appointment process and to provide checks and balances.
“I urge you to continue to find a way forward that promotes nonpartisan governance of our library district to ensure access and uphold intellectual freedom for everyone,” she said.
“We’ve gone through this whole process numerous times, many hours of discussion,” responded Commission Chair Tom Jankovsky. “So thank you for your comments.”
The IGA was supposed to be negotiated between the two entities, but the BOCC shelved discussion on Oct. 8, 2025. “It means that the BOCC have no intention of negotiating an agreement,” said the library district’s executive director, Jamie LaRue, in an email to The Sopris Sun. Resolution 24-12 remains in effect.
Later in the meeting, the BOCC discussed the library trustee candidate interviews, scheduled for Friday Dec. 12 at 8am. County staff returned applications from those who live within the 81652 zipcode, encouraging them to apply for the Silt trustee seat that opens up next year. That leaves 13 candidates for one Rifle position and one in New Castle. “You’ve got a good pool,” said County Manager Fred Jarman. “There was a good response so I think the process has worked well.”
In other news
The BOCC approved a request from the County Public Health Department to hire two positions: an environmental health specialist and a public health nurse manager. They also approved a new $225,000 contract with Shamrock Foods to feed those in the county jail and renewed a $100,000 contract with BrewZone to feed Community Corrections inmates.
The BOCC also voted to opt out of the state’s Graywater Control program, put in place in 2015. Last year’s HB24-1362 states that as of Jan. 1, 2026, the use of graywater is authorized statewide unless a municipality or county opts-out. That means local governments must pass a resolution or ordinance prohibiting graywater use.
It’s sort of an all or nothing thing. If the county does not opt out, graywater use for indoor residential purposes in new homes, such as flushing toilets, automatically becomes legal. On the other hand, if the county opts out, residents cannot legally use graywater from kitchens or laundry.
The BOCC stated it was following direction from Routt County. They are not interested in the requirements and permits for graywater systems that they said would increase construction costs.
Finally, Carl Stephens, executive director of the Garfield County Emergency Communications Authority, presented the agency’s 2026 budget, stating that he expects less sales tax revenue than last year. He also said that in 2025, they replaced a generator and added four new dispatch positions. He added that for 2026, employees will get a 3% cost-of-living raise and up to a 3% bonus. On paper, the budget shows projected revenues of $5,660,382 for 2026 match expenditures.