The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

The Phillips County Commissioners have reached an agreement with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regarding groundwater monitoring for the next several years. The agreement’s announcement as well as terms were announced during the Commissioners month end meeting on Aug. 31.

Phillips County and the CDPHE’s Hazardous Material and Waste Management Division agreed that through year 2022, the State agency will prepare a sampling and analysis plan and continue to conduct groundwater monitoring at the County landfill. On Jan. 1, 2023, the County will assume responsibility for conducting all groundwater monitoring at the landfall, unless at that point a wavier is granted by the State.

Additionally, the County will be expected to work with an American Environmental Consulting firm, to have an updated engineering designed and operation plan and waste characterization plan submitted to the State by June of next year.

Throughout the month of August, the Phillips County Commissioner met with a number of County representatives, including Colorado State University extension agents Jessie Stewart and Deeona Johnson. The two updated the Commissioners on the wrap-up of County Fair and outlined how the two planned to attend and present local projects at the State Fair, which was not open to the public.

The Commissioners also met with Phillips County Economic Development Director Trisha Herman, who updated the Commissioners on current COVID-19 programs as well as work with the Holyoke daycare project. Herman said she is currently working with Julia Biesemeier on the Heifer Authority Farm Labor Housing project. She also announced that Holyoke High School was awarded $160,000 as part of phase one of the Homegrown Talent Initiative.

Phillips County Sheriff Thom Elliott recently met with the Commissioners and in doing so, requested to upgrade the departments tasers and body cameras to a fully warranted and supported model. The request was approved by the Commissioners as was a new five-year contract with Axon Enterprise.

In other business, the Commissioners:

• Approved the East Phillips County Ambulance Service license amendment which added drivers Jay Weatherspoon, Joseph Cliffard, Erica Long and Abraham Garcia;

• Heard from RFarmer, LLC auditor, who presented the 2019 County audit. The Auditor said there were no significant errors and reported that Phillips County is in good financial standing. The Commissioners approved a letter of engagement with RFarmer, LLC to conduct the 2020 audit;

• Approved all gravel pit landowners rate of pay to be raised 50 cents per cubic yard effective on Sept. 1;

• Approved liquor sales at the Pheasants Forever event in November at the Phillips County Event Center;

• Approved the renewal of a liquor license for Ricos Dogs, LLC doing business as Blisties;

• Approved a resolution to oppose the National Popular Vote compact for the purpose of ensuring proper checks and balances against accumulation of political power and to protect Colorado’s unique political voice in presidential politics;

• Approved the courthouse elevator service agreement with Thyssen Krupp Elevator Company;

• Approved a roadway occupancy agreement for an underground water line crossing County Road 3 and an underground waterline crossing County Road 59.