County distributes nearly $150,000 in COVID relief funds

Phillips County has distributed close to $150,000 in COVID relief funds to local businesses. That money has been given as grant funds to Phillips County businesses who applied for funding through the County’s application process. Word of distribution came at the Phillips County Commissioners’ year-end meeting on Dec. 31.

To date, Phillips County has received just under $300,000 in CVRF funds through the Department of Local Affairs, which was distributed throughout Phillips County to those in Haxtun, Paoli and Holyoke.

Additionally, Help Colorado Now grant funds were distributed in a number of ways including:

• $8,978 in grocery vouchers;

• $8,735 in restaurant vouchers;

• $4,500 to Phillips County food banks;

• $2,200 to the food bank of the Department of Human Services; and

• $514 has been used for supplies.

Throughout the month of December, the Phillips County Commissioners approved several contracts and purchases in addition to approving the 2021 budget.

Next year’s budget, including all funds and departments, totals $7,317,909. Individual fund balances are as follows: General Fund, $3,858,819; Road and Bridge, $2,072,808; Human Services, $519,267; Capital Expenditure, $435,405; Conservation Trust, $20,000; Contingency, $174,982; Ambulance, $61,021; Unemployment Trust, $30,977; E911, $76,482; and Economic Development, $68,148.

Along with adopting the budget for the upcoming year, the Commissioners also approved the following mill levies last month: General, 21.45; Road and Bridge, 4.23; Human Services, 1.60; Capital Expenditure, 1.0; for a total of 28.28.

According to a press briefing from Phillips County Administrator Pam Jensen, the County also reviewed the Huma Services Merit System covering six main principals. Those include ensuring the County has job descriptions for all positions and that Human Resources conducts periodic wage surveys; that all staff receives training, some of which is mandated by the State of Colorado, and other training provided by on-the-job training; a periodic evaluation is conducted for each staff member and the County appeal process is followed for all disciplinary actions; and that all federal equal opportunity and non-discrimination laws are followed.

In other business, the Commissioners:

• Approved a contract with the Mobile Food Pantry for 2021 at the Phillips County Fair Grounds and the Haxtun Community Center;

• Approved a 2021 CDL testing contract with Gerald Whipple;

• Approved the purchase of a new Xerox printer/copier for the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office;

• Implemented a new County appointed board process. Those terming may re-apply while the public is encouraged to apply for open positions as well;

• Met with the Phillips and Yuma county road and bridge manages to discuss changes to maintenance responsibilities on specific boarding county roads;

• Met with Bob Heldenbrand regarding his resignation as Phillips County Emergency Manager. Heldenbrand plans to transition to a new position as Manager of the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Northeast Region Field Office, with a start date of Jan. 11;

 • Discussed an odor issue with Omimex, the Commissioners would like more information from Omimex and to schedule a meeting the company and Newmans;

• Approved requests from Road and Bridge Manager Mike Salyards for step increases for John Sagehorn, Rick Hinck and Martin Bornhoft.