Focus on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter December 2021

fOCUS on FORT MORGAN

Dec. 2021

THE CITY OF FORT MORGAN EMPLOYEE NEWSLETTER

Wellness......pg. 4 Department Profile......pg. 6 Welcome New Employees......pg. 10

Message from the Manager......pg. 3

Birthdays and Work Anniversaries...... pg. 11 Monthly Dates of Celebration......pg. 12 Upcoming Events......pg. 13 Elf on the Store Shelf......pg. 14

IN THIS

EDITION: 2

FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

Library Movie Night......pg. 15 Twamore Turkey Trot Follow Up......pg. 16

Welcome!

MESSAGE FROM THE MANAGER The Finance Department administers all financial affairs of the City, and this unique, upbeat team manages to have FUN at the same time! Their many duties include oversight and management of Inventory Control, Utility Billing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Accounting, Capital Assets and Debt Management, Financial Reporting and more. This incredible group works closely with each department to provide guidance and support as needed. They help keep the wheels in motion and ensure City finances are managed responsibly in service of the citizens and businesses of Fort Morgan.

The next time you process a PO or place an inventory order, please take a moment to remember our dedicated Finance team for what they do to support us. I encourage you to look at the ‘Department Profile’ section of this newsletter to read more in-depth about each employee and their contributions to the Finance Department, and also to learn a bit more about them as individuals in the ‘hobbies’ segment.

As I look back on 2021, I am proud of our collective efforts to pull together and overcome obstacles to achieve successes for our City. All of us face personal and professional hardships throughout the year and some days are more challenging than others. I know each and every member of our team puts in the time and effort to make this City a great place to live, work, and play. Thank you for all you do throughout the year to support each other and the citizens of Fort Morgan.

With all the hard work you’ve done, it is time to celebrate the season with joy and good cheer! Elf on the Shelf is back and better than ever. Follow the clues on Facebook each week to find the elves in shops around town and enter to win gift card prizes. See the flyer in this edition for additional information. Unwind with a special screening of The Polar Express, to be held in the Children’s Library, December 2 at 5:30 pm, all ages welcome.

The annual Christmas Capital of the Plains kicks off festivities with activities December 2, including a Parade of Lights at 6 pm on Main Street. Various events are planned until December 25, such as Santa visits, free family movies, gift wrapping, and the annual Rotary Chili Cook-Off. Last but not least, our City Christmas Party is December 3 beginning at 5:30 pm. Jeton collected the RSVP’s and it is my hope we can celebrate our many successes together.

Once again, thank you for all you do, and please enjoy this month’s edition of the newsletter.

Steve Glammeyer Welcome to a new edition of the “Message from the Manager” and City Employee Newsletter. I hope you enjoyed last month’s edition and learned a lot about our Human Resources and Risk Management Department.

In this final month of 2021, we are spotlighting a department many of us have worked with throughout the year. It is well known the holidays can be expensive, which makes budgeting and management of our personal finances more important than ever. Now imagine being responsible for fiscal management of an entire organization. While we all help manage this 80-milliondollar business, the Finance Department does most of the heavy lifting. You may be amazed to learn the scope of their work and impressed with the ways they contribute to keep the City financially sound and functioning.

Steve FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

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The more you feed your mind with positive thoughts, the more you can attract great things into your life. --Roy T. Bennett

DECEMBER WELLNESS

UPCOMING HOLIDAYS 12/24 Christmas Eve 12/25 Christmas Day 1/3 New Year's Day (observed) Did you know?

Through the Cigna Website https://my.cigna.com/web/secure /consumer/wellness/home there are several resources. Click on Healthy Rewards links to discover a variety of discounts.

Friendly reminder that all wellness hours must be used by December 31, 2021.

They will not carry over into 2022.

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STRESS AND HOLIDAYS Holidays provide opportunity for celebration, gift-giving, reflection, tradition, relationship and spiritual renewal, and relaxation. However, they often bring about family tension, crowded schedules, remembrances of lost loved ones, and/or additional tasks and expectations. By determining your goals for the holidays and by staying in control of your overall plan, you can help to ward off excessive stress and have a more enjoyable time all around.

HOW TO HAVE A LESS STRESSFUL HOLIDAY The first and most important step to a less stressful holiday is to determine the purpose of the holiday. Is it a time to get reconnected, rejuvenated, or for spiritual reflection? Once you have decided this, you will be better equipped to make decisions on how to handle your holiday planning.

Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating A Stress-Less Holiday: • Get back to basics and simplify. Are you spending all day cleaning up from the holiday feast – use paper plates.

• Avoid ‘holiday perfectionism’. Thinking, saying, or planning for the best holiday ever can lead to certain disappointment.

• Stop and be in the moment. Have you noticed the wondrous sights, sounds, and smells around you or have you been too caught up in the to-do’s to notice?

• Acknowledge your feelings. Take into account the losses that you have experienced, but remember to keep your perspective and to talk positively to yourself about the past challenges that you have overcome.

• Ask for help. Remember your ultimate goal for the holiday and get support and assistance from those around you.

STAY IN CHECK By keeping our calendars in check, our expectations in line, and simplifying our activities, we can have a meaningful, joyful, and fulfilling holiday. https://worksmartlivesmart.com/holiday-stress-enjoy/

FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

DECEMBER WELLNESS

Nutrition Facts: Serving: 1 and 1/3 cups Calories: 192kcal Carbohydrates: 27g Protein: 18g Fat: 2g Fiber: 3g Sugar: 8.5g

TURKEY POT PIE SOUP RECIPE Ingredients: 1/4 cup flour 2 cups turkey stock 4 cups fat free milk 2 large celery stalks, chopped 1 1/2 cups chopped onion 8 oz sliced cremini mushrooms fresh ground pepper 2 tbsp chopped parsley 8 oz frozen peas and carrots 1 tsp Turkey Better n Boullion, or more to taste 2 medium, 12 oz total potatoes, peeled and cubed small 16 oz cooked turkey breast, diced small or shredded

Directions: 1. Create a slurry by combining 1/2 cup of the cold broth with flour in a medium bowl and whisk until well blended. Set aside.

2. Pour remaining broth and milk into a large pot and slowly bring to a boil.

3. Add celery, onion, mushrooms, parsley, fresh pepper, frozen vegetables, boullion and return to a boil. Partially cover and simmer on low until vegetables are soft, about 20 minutes.

4. Remove lid, add potatoes and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.

5. Add turkey, and slowly whisk in slurry, stirring well as you add. Cook another 2-3 minutes, until soup thickens, adjust salt and pepper to taste and serve.

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DEPARTMENT PROFILE FINANCE DEPARTMENT

our WORK

Teamwork is the best kind of work, really. --Sigrid

The Finance Department (aka FUN Department) oversees and administers the City’s financial affairs, including the collection and disbursement of all monies for the City. The functions of the department include Financial Reporting, Budget, Accounting, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Inventory Management, Cash Management & Investments, Grant Administration, Capital Assets and Debt Management.

Thank you to our INSPIRATION As the hub of the organization, we enjoy providing support to all departments and are dedicated to serving the citizens of Fort Morgan.

We thrive when we help to keep the big wheel rolling!

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our Fun Finance Department for all you do in expertly administering the City's financial affairs!

FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

DEPARTMENT PROFILE FINANCE DEPARTMENT

DOUG HOFMAN, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST Doug started with the City in March 2001. He is responsible for processing orders, receiving and issuing material. He is also responsible for the online auction site.

Hobbies: Sports, hunting and fishing, spending time with friends and family, especially his grandchildren.

ADAM GARCIA- LEON, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT Adam started with the City in November 2020. He assists in ordering and receiving materials, PO’s and special orders for all City Departments.

Hobbies: Enjoys hunting, sports, motorcycles and spending time with family and friends.

CARRIE CARLSON, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE TECHNICIAN Carrie started with the City in November 2020 as the Accounts Payable technician. Tons of invoices come across her desk and it is her duty to evaluate the invoices and determine which departments they belong to and to then pay them in a timely manner, all while growing the relationships with our vendors and each of our departments.

Hobbies: Hiking and being active, hanging out with her church family and friends, and of course taking long cozy naps!!

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DEPARTMENT PROFILE FINANCE DEPARTMENT

CADY JESS, GENERAL ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR Cady started with the City in September 2018, as Payroll Accounting Technician, and moved to the Finance Department's General Accounting Supervisor in 2020.

Her duties include supervising staff and assisting in most areas of the Finance department, such as A/R, A/P and cash management.

Hobbies: Enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with family and friends.

CONNIE MUSGRAVE, GENERAL ACCOUNTANT Connie started with the City of Fort Morgan in 1998 as Utility Billing Manager. Moved to her current position in 2017. Connie's responsibilities include revenue recognition for all taxes, managing and reconciling all bank accounts and credit card accounts, unclaimed property, capital assets, new vendors, and all necessary accounting functions.

Hobbies: Reading, walking, and spending time with family and friends, (especially the grandkids).

CHRIS BOSTRON, GENERAL ACCOUNTING SUPERVISOR Chris started working for the City in November 2004 in the Utility Billing Department. She moved to the Finance Department in 2005 and in 2012, she stepped into her role as General Accounting Manager. Chris manages and oversees the operations of Finance and works closely with all City departments. Her main duties include processing and maintaining accounting records, grant administration, policy and procedure compliance, assisting/overseeing the annual City budget and audit, and supporting her teammates as the department resource person.

Hobbies: Shopping, volunteering for her church, and spending time with friends and family, especially her granddaughter, Evie!

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FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

When you put together deep knowledge about a subject that intensely matters to you, charisma happens. --Jerry Porras

DEPARTMENT PROFILE FINANCE DEPARTMENT

Musicians Mick Jagger, Robert Plant and Kenny G rocked the numbers before launching their music careers. Other celebrities who studied accounting include comedians Bob Newhart, Eddie Izzard and author, John Grisham.

An accountant named Walter Diemer invented Bubblegum in 1928.

FUN FACTS!

General: Manages 2021 Citywide budget of $71,368,402 for 12 Funds and 43 Departments. Received and processed over $62 million in revenue for 2020, and over $49 million in expenditures.

Helps to manage and oversee over $222 million in assets, including $125 million in capital assets.

Inventory: 2021 Inventory valued at over 1.5 Million. Has assisted with over 750 orders so far this year.

Accounts Payable: Approximately 620 invoices paid each month for an average total of $4.6 million dollars. Of that, 80% paid via ACH, 18% paid via paper checks and 2% by credit card. Approximately 100 1099’s were sent out to vendors in 2020 and forecasted for 2021.

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BRIAN HERRERA Brian was raised in Lamar, CO and graduated from Wiley High School. He served 4 years in the United States Marine Corps before attending the police academy in Pueblo, CO. Brian was previously in law enforcement for 5 years in Florence, CO. He was out of law enforcement for a short period of time before moving to Fort Morgan and joining the Fort Morgan Police Department to continue his career.

Brian is married with 5 kids. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with family, working out, and spending time outdoors.

MEET OUR NEW EMPLOYEES

WELCOME TO THE CITY! Police Department, Police Recruit

Police Department, Police Officer

Alex was born and raised in Fort Morgan and was a 2-time All-State football player and state champion wrestler for FMHS. He attended Chadron State College 2016-2020

ALEX MAI

and received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management.

Alex is very happy and thankful to be back home and he looks

During his time at CSC, he was a two-sport

forward to serving this community for years to come.

athlete in football and wrestling. He is currently employed with Amy Grantham’s State Farm

His parents are Rick Mai and Andrea Mooney.

Agency, and will be attending Aims Police

Stepfather is Ken Mooney and he has 6 siblings: Polly, Adam,

Academy in January.

Elizabeth, Davi, Kaylin, and Kevin.

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FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

IN RECOGNITION BIRTHDAYS & WORK ANNIVERSARIES! 12/1

Gary Bruntz & Tom Smith

12/5

Kelly Hoem & Paul Mendoza

12/7

Mary Holt

12/11

Tanya Koch

12/23 Jason Orvis & Kolby Wahlert 12/24 Kathleen Byrne 12/27 Bernard Rodarte 12/28 Curt Lindsey 12/29 Tony Behrends

12/17 Ryan Probasco & Josh Shipman 12/19 Katherine Dahlinger & Sam Pettyjohn 12/22 Matt Givens

BIRTHDAYS WORK ANNIVERSARIES YEARS OF SERVICE 12/2

Stephanie Harman, 13 years Troy Ocanas, 2 years

12/19

Randy Kallweit, 2 years

12/3

Ruben Rios, 3 years

12/23

Jared Larson, 2 years

12/5

Juan Gomez, 5 years

12/26

Anthony Chaparro, 4 years

12/9

Jason Orvis, 2 years Evan Schiel, 8 years

12/28

Austin Brown, 1 year Zach Lunog, 1 year

12/14

Katherine Dahlinger, 1 year

12/31

Joe Hochanadel, 3 years

12/16

Grant Duran, 2 years

12/17

Carlos Gallegos, 9 years Jaden Jole, 3 years Paul Mendoza, 3 years

Tekiah Dabbs, 1 year

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Eggnog has its origins in

DECEMBER IS NATIONAL EGGNOG MONTH

13th Century Britain, from a milky ale called "posset."

It has evolved through the centuries and today many countries have their own versions of this nostalgic holiday drink.

DECEMBER 24 IS CHRISTMAS EVE

DECEMBER 25 IS CHRISTMAS DAY Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature.

Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.

December 25—Christmas Day—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1870.

NOV. 28 - DEC. 6 IS HANUKKAH 12

DECEMBER 21 IS DECEMBER 31 IS THE WINTER NEW YEAR'S SOLSTICE EVE

FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

Fieldhouse

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday Nights, 5 PM to 8 PM, Pickleball Open Gym

Community

Monday through Thursday, 4 PM to 8 PM Youth Basketball Practices

12/2 -

Saturday Mornings, Youth

Parade of Lights

Basketball Games

"A Colorado

Christmas"

Thursdays (5:00 PM), Fridays

at

(9:00 AM), Yoga Classes

6:00 PM on

Main St.

Tuesdays (10:00 AM), Strength Training Class

Senior Center Mondays & Fridays at 8:30 AM, Senior Stretch and Strength Exercise Class

Tuesdays & Thursdays at 8:30 AM, Strong People Stay Healthy Class

Monday - Friday, 11:30 AM to 1 PM, Meet N’ Eat

1st and 3rd Wednesdays of Month at 1 PM, Bingo

Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, Senior Billiards

Last Wednesday of Month at 1 PM, BUNCO

Monday through Friday, 1 PM to 5 PM, Assorted Card Games

LOOK HERE FOR A FULL SCHEDULE OF CHRISTMAS CAPITAL OF THE PLAINS EVENTS

DECEMBER PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY

12/1 - Share to Care program!

Craft any generic card of joy and bring it to the library. Cards will be collected and distributed across the community. Contact LynnDee Koehler for more information

12/7 at 5:30 PM - Creative Club! In the Library.

Contact Lisa Samples for more information

12/14 at 12:00 PM - Brown Bag Presentation Kathleen Byrne presents: “The History of Toys & Games.” This program focuses on the historical origins of some of your favorite toys and games. Come learn a bit about the origin of Barbie dolls, Legos, Yo Yo’s, video games and much more. In the Howard Rollin Memorial Community Room

12/14 at 3:30 PM - After School Craft and Connect! In The Makerspace

12/14 at 5:30 PM - Fall into Winter Author Series Author K.B. Wagers grew up just south of Brush and now lives on the front range. K.B. is the author of the Indranan & Farian War trilogies and the new NeoG novels.

In the Howard Rollin Memorial Community Room

12/17 at 4:30 PM - Teen Night Out! Holiday Fun! Cookie decorating and other crafts.

Registration Required. Contact Kathleen Byrne for more information

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FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

The

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Shout out of gratitude to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado for the financial grants the City of Fort Morgan received to build Twamore Trails.

These new trails hosted their first 5K (Twamore 5K), November 13.

The Fort Morgan Community Hospital Association partnered with the City to combine resources and create a single event promoting the Twamore Trails. The City invested in a timing system that really made a big difference and provided T-shirts to all participants. Edward's provided certificates for free turkeys for each division winner.

TWAMORE Turkey

Trot

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FOCUS on Fort Morgan Employee Newsletter - Dec. 2021

The Hospital Association provided snacks and gifts for all who participated in the family event. Partnering with the Hospital Association offered a free, enjoyable event for walkers, runners, and for those just looking to have a safe, fun, outdoor activity to do with family and friends. There were a total of 57 participants, four of whom were City employees.

thank you!

We hope you enjoyed this month's edition of Focus on Fort Morgan.

Have an idea for the newsletter?

We'd love to hear from you!

Email wellness@cityoffortmorgan.com

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