1
August 7, 2014 VOLU M E 1 1 9 | I S S UE 27
ElbertCountyNews.net E L B E R T C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
A publication of
County to contract property appraisals Understaffing has hindered work of assessor’s office By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media
Boy Scout Chris Kelly, center, was joined by numerous public officials at an Aug. 2 ceremony in Kiowa. From left are Ed Ehmann (county manager), Kurt Schlegel (county commissioner, District 2), Robert Rowland (county commissioner, District 1) and Larry Ross (county commissioner, District 3). They are standing in front of a monument that recognizes the area’s history. Photos by Rick Gustafson
Monuments honor veterans, history Scout’s project leads to ceremony in Elbert County By Rick Gustafson
Special to Colorado Community Media
POSTAL ADDRESS
Scouts and dignitaries from across the state filled the Elbert County Courthouse lawn in Kiowa for the dedication of two historical monuments Aug. 2. The dedication ceremony was preceded by a parade of Boy Scouts caring flags from all 50 states and more than two dozen nations. Originating at Kiowa High School, the procession of more than 200 Scouts marched down Comanche Street to the courthouse. Christopher Kelly of Troop 148 in Aurora,
who is working toward his Eagle Scout badge, originally approached the Board of County Commissioners in February 2014, telling them that he proposed the project because he wanted to preserve Colorado history and learn about it himself. The first monument, a 7-foot high obelisk, honors veterans. The base of the structure is constructed from stones collected from historic forts from Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming supporting four panels honoring service men and women of the U.S. military. The obelisk’s first panel presents the Oath of Enlistment taken by all men and women entering military service. The second is dedicated to the men and Ceremony continues on Page 7
ELBERT COUNTY NEWS (USPS 171-100)
OFFICE: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 PHONE: 303-566-4100
The Elbert County commissioners have approved $360,000 in funding for the county assessor’s office to enter into a professional services agreement with Thimgan & Associates, an ad-valorem valuation-consulting firm located in La Junta. The four-year agreement, approved at a special meeting of the commissioners on July 30, enlists the firm to assist the assessor’s office with appraisals and inspections of nearly 10,000 of the approximately 16,000 properties registered in the county. “This is a huge asset for Elbert County,” Billie Mills, Elbert County assessor, wrote in a July 30 email. “The assessor’s office has been understaffed for several years and has only been able to do the new construction and the sales.” The goal of the agreement is to develop market models and to establish market values by reappraising land and improvements, including physical inspections of all improved properties registered in Elbert County. The agreement, set to begin on Aug. 15, folds in existing services already provided by Thimgan & Associates with assessments and market valuations. Mills is confident that the retirement of the county’s chief appraiser, who is leaving at the end of the year, will offset the majority of the cost for the four-year deal. Mills estimates that it would cost around $70,000 per year in salary and benefits to fill the vacated position with an employee holding a Certified General License, while the contract with Thimgan will amount to $78,000 over the $9,000 per year the county is already paying the firm and will offer a depth of services well beyond the capability of a single employee. In addition, both Mills and the Assessor continues on Page 7
A legal newspaper of general circulation in Elizabeth, Colorado, the Elbert County News is published weekly on Thursday by Colorado Community Media. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT ELIZABETH, COLORADO and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: 9137 S. Ridgeline Blvd., Suite 210 Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 DEADLINES: Display: Thurs. 11 a.m. Legal: Thurs. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 10 a.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Elbert County Fair princess Tara Hiatt, left, and fair queen Kinsee Dodge flank the monument honoring veterans at the Aug. 2 ceremony in Kiowa.
Elbert County Assessor Billie Mills called a four-year deal with Thimgan & Associates “a huge asset for Elbert County.” Photo by Rick Gustafson