1-Color
February 6, 2014 Elbert County, Colorado | Volume 119, Issue 2 A publication of
elbertcountynews.net
Officials take step toward new post BOCC votes to move forward in creating county manager position By George Lurie
glurie@coloradocommunitymedia.com
A CLEAN START
Following a late January snowstorm, two inmate trustees from the Elbert County jail wash one of the county’s patrol cars, a 2008 Crown Victoria Interceptor. The Elbert County Sheriff ’s Office does not have a professional janitorial staff and relies on inmate labor to maintain the jail — inmates are even responsible for cleaning their own cells. “These guys do everything from helping out in the kitchen to mowing the grass and shoveling snow,” said Sheriff Shane Heap. “Under statute, we can compel them to work — and I believe in doing so.” Photo by George Lurie
Schlegel named board chairman Replaces Rowland in the role By George Lurie
glurie@coloradocommunitymedia.com Commissioner Kurt Schlegel is the new chairman of the Board of County Commissioners. Schlegel takes the gavel from Commissioner Robert Rowland, who served as chair since taking a seat on the BOCC in January 2013. The surprise change in leadership occurred at the Jan.29 BOCC regular meeting when Commissioner Larry Ross read a lengthy list of 2014 board appointments and Schlegel was listed as “board chair.” After Ross read the entire list, none of the commissioners commented regarding the shuffle in BOCC responsibilities before they voted unanimously to make the change. But after the meeting, Rowland explained that the commissioners had discussed the change in leadership at several meetings held earlier in the week and had decided that “it was the right thing to do.” “This isn’t about power or control,” said Rowland. “We are all citizen legislators.” Rowland will now serve as vice-chair, replacing Ross, who was vice-chair during
Following a split vote at their Jan. 29 regular meeting, the Board of County Commissioners has decided to take the first formal step in the process of engaging a county manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of Elbert County. Commissioners Robert Rowland and Kurt Schlegel voted in favor of creating the new position. “For the past three years I’ve been in office, I’ve fought this idea, arguing we couldn’t afford to do it,” said Schlegel. “Now, with where the county is in its development, I feel like we can’t afford not to do it.” “Elected officials come and go,” said Rowland. “Our employees deserve the kind of direction and consistency of decision-making that isn’t so fluid…We need a quarterback, somebody to be CEO of the county.” BOCC continues on Page 4
Accounting deal OK’d Poysti & Adams will assist county finance staff in 2014 By George Lurie
glurie@coloradocommunitymedia.com
District 2 Commissioner Kurt Schlegel will chair the BOCC in 2014. Schlegel has already announced that he will not be seeking re-election following this term. Photo by George Lurie 2013. “Change is a good thing,” Rowland added. “This will allow Kurt to serve as chair during his final year on the board.”
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The change in the chairmanship became effective immediately following the board vote, although Rowland requested that he be allowed to act as chair for the remainder of the Jan. 29 meeting — a request that Schlegel granted. Schlegel, who was elected in 2011, announced earlier this month that he will not run for re-election when his term expires at the end of this year, explaining that he wants to devote more time to his business. Kelly Dore, a District 2 resident, filed papers on January 23 to run for the Schlegel continues on Page 5
The county has engaged with an outside accounting firm to perform its accounting services in 2014. The BOCC voted unanimously at its Jan. 29 regular meeting to contract with Denver-based accounting firm Poysti & Adams LLC for 2014. The decision was prompted, in part, by the county’s failure to submit a state-mandated 2012 budget audit on time. The outside accounting firm will also help make up for the fact that the county currently has not had an in-house finance director since Stan Wilmer was fired in late 2013. Interim budget officer Joanna Sanders has led the county’s finance department since Wilmer’s departure. “The relationship with Poysti & Adams has worked very well with our staff in the past,” said Commissioner Kurt Schlegel. “Now they will come in for a week or two each quarter to give us some assistance.” Deal continues on Page 5