PC Commissioners continue distribution of COVID relief funds

The Phillips County Commissioners continue to disburse CVRF funds through grants to business owners in Phillips County. Throughout the month of August, the Commissioners distributed $123,529 to local businesses affected by COVID shutdowns over the past year and a half.

In addition to giving to local businesses, the CVRF funds have also been given to local food baskets and helped the Town of Haxtun install a new drop box.

In their first August meeting, the Commissioners meet three times each month, the County Commissioners voted to distribute $171,645 to Phillips County business owners who experienced revenue losses due to the COVID pandemic. Of that total, $123,529 came from the County’s allocated amount, $41,156 came from the City of Holyoke and $6,959 came from the Town of Haxtun allocated amount.

Additionally, the Commissioners granted the use of funds for the Town of Haxtun to install a ballot drop box outside the Town Hall. An additional $7,000 was given to two local food pantries.

In a later meeting, the Commissioners heard a request from Communications Center Manager Kenny Gaskill to use American Recovery Plan Act funds to purchase equipment and software for the Phillips County Communications Center. The expenditures, he said, fall under the public health category per plan approved expenses.

The Commissioners agreed to Gaskill's requests and approved the purchase of text to 911 programing equaling $13,625 for a three year subscription; five Kenwood portable radios for $10,302; two consolettes for $16,087, a radio console upgrade in the amount of $4,500; and a NICE recording system for $26,301. The purchases for the Communications Center approved during the mid-August meeting total $70,815.

In a second request, later in the month, Gaskill asked to used additional American Recovery Plan Act funds to install two consoles, an antenna and feed line for $2,159 and $1,620 for device programing. Those requests are also approved by the Commissioners.

In late August, the Phillips County Commissioners met with Veteran’s Service Officer Steve Firme as well as Jeremey Kilpatrick. Firme said that although he was not looking to retire from his position, he believes that Kilpatrick would be a good asset to Phillips County Veterans and recommended his appointment as the new Veterans Service Officer.

Kilpatrick, he said, has a passion for Veterans and mental health issues and awareness and is knowledgeable with programs to address the issue.

According to Phillips County Administrator Laura Schroetlin, per Colorado Revised Statues, prior to appointing a Veterans Service Officer, the Commissioners must seek advice and counsel from local Post Commanders from both Haxtun and Holyoke. Plans are to seek that advice and make an appointment in the near future.

In other business:

• Phillips County Economic Development Director Trisha Herman announced the receipt of a $10,000 grant for the Phillips County Fair from the El Pomar Colorado Assistance Fund to support cultural programing. Herman said the purposed of the funds is to support cultural community events, festivals and venues that seek to build connection and reignite economic vitality, particularly in rural parts of Colorado;

• The Commissioners approved Gary Engle as a contractor to maintain the Phillips County gun range at a monthly rate of $100 and a budget not to exceed $1,000;

• The County agreed to change the eligibility requirements for employees to patriciate in the County retirement fund from 20 hours per week to 24 hours per week and a nine-month employee to a 12-month employee;

• The Commissioners granted a request from Phillips County Sheriff Thom Elliott to trade in a 2015 Ford patrol vehicle in the amount of $4,000 to be put towards the purchase of a 2021 Chevy Tahoe. Funds from a United States Department of Agriculture will also be used to purchase the new patrol vehicle;

• The Commissioners approved a liquor license renewal for Ricos Dogs, doing business as Blistie’s.