County adopts resolution opposing PAUSE initiative

After adopting a resolution declaring March 20 Phillips County Cattlemen’s Day, the Board of Phillips County Commissioners passed two more ag-related resolutions last month.

One resolution opposes Colorado ballot initiative 16, titled “Protect Animals from Unnecessary Suffering and Exploitation” and the other puts a five-year moratorium on the importing of sludge from outside Phillips County to be used on cropland or rangeland within the county.  

The resolution opposing PAUSE says the initiative would broadly redefine animal sexual abuse in a manner that would criminalize many common and necessary veterinary and animal husbandry practices.

Pointing out that the initiative would require delays of up to one quarter of an animal’s statutorily defined lifespan prior to being processed for food, the resolution says the initiative would greatly increase the cost to ranchers to feed and care for the animals and at processing would produce meat of low value to the consumer and at higher purchase costs.

In the resolution, the board emphasizes its opposition to the infliction of needless suffering on animals and recognizes that cattle and livestock producers make great efforts to treat their animals humanely. It calls on all people who care about the well-being of animals to take action to defeat the measure.

After sharing drafts of their domestic sludge resolution with the City of Holyoke, the Town of Haxtun and the Town of Paoli, commissioners implemented a five-year moratorium on the transportation of domestic sludge into Phillips County for the purpose of being applied to cropland or rangeland.

The moratorium will allow time for further study and evaluation of this type of land application and to monitor applications occurring in other Colorado counties. At the end of the five-year period, the board will decide whether to continue the prohibition, modify it or discontinue it.

County Road 35 to be opened north to County Road 24

After hearing public comments and discussing different possibilities, commissioners approved the building of County Road 35 from Highway 6 north to County Road 24.

Vern Rafert, Paul Krogmeier and Joe Krogmeier shared their concerns about opening the road and asked the board to look at other alternatives, such as rebuilding the bridge on County Road 37 between Highway 6 and County Road 24.

Road and bridge manager Mike Salyards shared that the estimated cost to rebuild the bridge on County Road 37 would be over $2.4 million plus $150,000 for the necessary engineering study.

The commissioners ultimately decided that the financial burden to replace the bridge outweighed the concerns about opening the road.

Landfill project approved

Commissioners approved a request from Phillips County Landfill manager Bill Andrews to proceed with the building of a loading dock at the landfill, which will enable the loading of agricultural bags by a company that has agreed to pick them up to recycle them. The cost of the project is not to exceed $10,000.

Commissioners review emergency management possibilities

Commissioners continue to look at options to fill the role of Phillips County emergency manager.

A joint emergency manager position between Phillips and Sedgwick counties was investigated, but it was determined that it would not be a viable solution.

Chairman of the board of county commissioners Terry Hofmeister said they feel like they owe it to the citizens of the county to have an emergency manager dedicated to Phillips County. Commissioners are continuing to review proposals submitted for the position.

Other business

In other business last month, commissioners:

— Purchased an asset tracker for road and bridge equipment from 4Rivers Equipment in the amount of $8,861.35.

— Approved the purchase of a used single-axle truck for a cost not to exceed $5,000.

­— Approved a tax abatement of $3,920.52 plus interest for property that was misclassified.

— Approved the purchase of a manure fork from Quick Attach for the Bank of Colorado Pavilion for no more than $1,295.

— Approved a request from county administrator Laura Schroetlin to hire Nicole Akey as administrative assistant effective March 24.

— Appointed Jerry Wagoner to serve the remainder of the term on the weed and pest board that was vacated by Kyle McConnell. The term will end Dec. 31, 2022.

­— Approved a youth wrestling tournament to be held at the event center April 10.

— Approved a request from Holyoke Chamber of Commerce to include alcohol tasting at the chamber home and garden event scheduled for May 22, with the condition that a special events permit is obtained from the City of Holyoke, the required liquor liability insurance is acquired and the additional alcohol deposit is paid.

— Approved an addendum to the B&B Investments 2021 Phillips County Raceway contract, adding an additional race event to be held July 23, during Phillips County fair.

— Met with Kim Kramer and Kelley Sullivan regarding the Jolly Dozen’s rental of the event center for Holly Daze. Kramer and Sullivan requested a discounted rental rate for the Oct. 30 event. The board decided to charge $300 and will allow them to use the facility Oct. 29 after 4 p.m. to set up and to use the Wi-Fi at no charge.

— Approved a subdivision exemption request from Ivan and Julie Wiebke to sell property located southwest of Holyoke to Mark and Laura Schroetlin.

— Approved a subdivision exemption request from Poos Family Revocable Trust to sell property located southeast of Holyoke to Larry and Jeanette Poos.

­— Held a 52-minute executive session for discussion of a personnel matter.