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

Event center rental fees and weed and pest application rates are changing in Phillips County following several votes by the Commissioners throughout the month of February. One-day rental for private individuals increased from $575 per day to $775 for the use of the entire Event Center, including conference rooms and kitchen, located at the Phillips County Fairgrounds in Holyoke.

At the recommendation of Carrie Anderson, who manages all event center rentals and scheduling, the Phillips County Commissioners voted during a Feb. 18 meeting to approve new rental rates 3-0 with yes votes from the entire board including Terry Hofmeister, Garold Roberts and Tom Timm.

Rental rates for the entire facility, per day, increased from $400 to $550 for non-profits, from $575 to $775 for individuals and jumped from $625 to $850 for businesses.

Heginbotham Hall daily rates increased from $200 for non-profits to $300, individuals from $400 to $550 and businesses will pay $675 versus $500 as in the past.

The Biesemeier Room rental rate is $100 a day, $60 for a non-profits. The Ortner Room’s daily rate increased from $25 per day to $50 per day.

In addition to daily rates, the new rental schedule also reflects increases for multiple day use as well as damage deposits.

In an earlier meeting last month, on Feb. 9, the Board of County Commissioners approved application rate changes in the weed and pest department at the recommendation of Kerri Doleshall, Weed and Pest Manager.

There is now a $45 per hour flat rate for all applications with a minimum charge of $45. Rodent Blaster will carry a $150 per application, per hole, fee. Additionally, users will see a $15 fee for equipment per applied location.

In addition to fee changes, the Commissioners introduced a late fee charge of $10, or two percent, past due balance per month, whichever is greater.

In other busines the Commissioners:

• Approved a request from the Northeast Colorado Association of Local Governments to increase Phillips County’s annual contribution from $8,190 to $9,356.89;

• Voted to approve resolution 2021-06 for a supplemental budget and appropriation for additional funds to defray unanticipated expenses;

• Accepted the recommendation of the COVID Relief Fund selection committee to approve COVID-19 business grant applications from Jennifer Hayes, of the Cross Eyed Cow, for $5,000 and for Josh Whittaker, owner of Whittaker Roofing, LLC, in the amount of $5,000;

• Denied a request from Eric Luedke to build a fence within the County’s right-of-way located in the section line of the NW ¼ of Section 32-6-45;

• Approved a request to waive fees for use of the Bank of Colorado Pavilion from the Holyoke High School for May 16 graduation ceremonies in the event of inclement weather;

• Approved a re-zoning request from Casey Kropp for property in the NE ¼ 17-7-42 from A2 to Commercial;

• Approved a request from Communications Center Director Kenny Gaskill to authorize payment for service for $4,680 from CentralSquare. This expenditure should complete Phillips County’s Public Safety Answering Point move into Phase II;

• Held a public hearing regarding a grant submitted to the United States Department of Agriculture for financial assistance to acquire a patrol car, there were no questions or issued raised during the meeting.