Tonight’s Topic: County Administration Presented By: County Commissioners, David White, Gary Ellis & Ron Henderson Supported by: County Manager, Jesse Smith

Why Does County Government Exist?  There are more than 2,100 units of local government in Colorado, the interrelationship of these local governments is crucial to the efficient governance and provision of services to the citizens of the state.  Counties in Colorado are a constitutional subdivision of state government.  In Colorado, the Board of County Commissioners can exercise only those powers expressed in state statute or the Colorado Constitution.  Under state statute, the three main responsibilities of a County are: 1. Public Safety, which includes supporting the courts system and the district attorney function as well as providing jail facilities through the sheriff. 2. Social Services, including administering and carrying out virtually all programs overseen by the Colorado Department of Human Services. Counties may provide health services, although their ability to do so depends on resources available. 3. Road & Bridge Construction, including maintenance and repair. Source: Colorado Counties Inc., Colorado Revised Statutes Titles 29, 30 and 39

Some Other Responsibilities of County Government  Counties have a vast number of responsibilities, ranging from:  weed control  restaurant inspection  liquor licensing  operation of landfills  pest control *in certain instances counties and state government have co-authority.  Counties adopt and enforce ordinances and resolutions regarding health, safety, and welfare issues as otherwise prescribed by law.  Counties have the power to incur debt, enter into contracts, and receive grants subject to TABOR.  Additional responsibilities are delegated to other county elected officials, such as the Treasurer/Public Trustee, Assessor, Surveyor, Coroner, Clerk & Recorder, Sheriff and District Attorney. Source: Colorado Counties Inc., Colorado Revised Statutes Titles 29, 30 and 39

Montrose County Organizational Chart

Montrose County Demographics  The estimated population of Montrose County (including city limits) is 41,183.  Montrose County has a jurisdiction area of more than 2,200 square miles.  Privately owned land in Montrose County is 702 square miles.  27% is private land.  73% is public land.  The Bureau of Land Management owns 973 square miles.  The Colorado Department of Wildlife owns 15 square miles.  The National Park Service owns 43 square miles.  The United States Forest Service owns 512 square miles.

Board of County Commissioners Basic Governance  Montrose County is governed by a three member Board of County Commissioners.  The Chairman of the Board is elected annually by the Board.  Currently, the Chairman of the Board is Commissioner David White.  The Commissioners must reside in the district they represent and they are elected at large.

Montrose County Commissioner Districts  Ron Henderson, Commissioner for District 1 Includes the city limits of Montrose  Gary Ellis, Commissioner for District 2 Includes Olathe, Cimarron & Maher  David White, Commissioner for District 3 Includes West Montrose including Spring Creek & the Oak Grove areas, Redvale, Nucla, Naturita, Bedrock, Uravan, Paradox and Coventry

Commissioner Gary Ellis’s 2012 Board & Committee Positions  Airport Advisory Board  Club 20  FEMA - Emergency Food & Shelter Executive Committee  Community Corrections Board  Mexican American Development Association Board  CTSI Board of Directors &CTSI County Health Pool  CCI Steering Committee for Taxation & Finance, Government, Tourism, Transportation

Commissioner Ron Henderson’s 2012 Board & Committee Positions  Montrose County Weed Commission  Montrose County Fair Board Ex Officio Member  Montrose/Delta Public Lands Partnership  Region 10 Quarterly Board of Directors  Montrose County Housing Authority Board Member  CCI Steering Committee for Land Use & Natural Resources, Public Lands, Agriculture, Wildlife & Rural Affairs, Health & Human Services

Commissioner David White’s 2012 Board & Committee Positions  Juvenile Diversion Executive Committee  San Miguel Basin Fair All Around Board  Montrose Memorial Hospital Board  Drug-Free Montrose County  West End Juvenile Diversion  Mesa State Advisory Committee  GREAT – Gunnison River Economic Attraction Team

Commissioner Terms  The Commissioners are limited to two four-year terms in office.  These terms are staggered per Colorado law.

Montrose County Commissioners Duties & Authority  The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) do not have operational authority over the other elected officials in the County but the Board approves and adopts the operating budget for all county elected offices.  Policy-making authority.  Advocate for citizens at all levels of government.  Ensure stewardship of county resources.  Establish the vision and set the strategic direction for county government activities, programs and infrastructure. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes Titles 29, 30 and 39

Commissioner Duties & Authority Continued…  Make appointments to 28 different community boards and commissions.  Act as the Board of Equalization, Board of Social Services, Liquor License Authority, and Board of Health.  Approve intergovernmental agreements, resolutions, ordinances, voting precinct boundaries, and voting places.  See that laws regarding county government are followed.  Appoint the County Manager and the County Attorney.  Establish the county mill levy and approve the total mill levy. (Each individual taxing authority, such as school, county, fire, water, sanitation, library, and recreation districts, set their own levy). Source: Colorado Revised Statutes Titles 29, 30 and 39

Board of County Commissioner Meetings  The Commissioners meetings are normally scheduled for every other Monday at 9:00 a.m. in this room. Their meetings are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to attend.  The Commissioners planning/work sessions are normally scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:30 a.m. in the Montrose County administration conference room. These meetings are also open to the public.  All public meeting notices are posted on a kiosk beside the County Courthouse, in the County Administration lobby and on our website at:

How is the County financed?  The primary source of Montrose County’s funding is from: 1. Property Tax 2. Sales & Use Tax 3. Fees, HUTF & PILT Funds 4. Various grants from Federal, State (intergovernmental) and private foundations 5. Internal Service Charges

Montrose County Revenue Sources By Type

Montrose County Property Tax Revenue

Montrose County Expenses By Type

Montrose County Expenses By Fund

Montrose County Has Created a 5 Year Financial Model  As a part of Montrose County’s 5-year financial model, preliminary revenue projections and target spending levels were developed for each fund and department.  Consideration was given to anticipated reductions in property tax revenue as well as Federal and State funding levels for current services and programs provided by the County; many of which are mandated.

What is Montrose County’s Vision & Mission?  Our vision is to serve as a responsive body to citizen’s needs, quality of life, and individual liberties.  Our mission is to provide services that assist public health, welfare, safety and infrastructure to Montrose County citizens in an efficient and economical manner.

Top 5 Priorities in Montrose County’s Strategic Plan 1. Encourage Diversified Economic Development 2. Improve and Maintain A Safe Transportation System 3. Provide for Public Safety 4. Effective and Responsive Government 5. Develop and Support Environmentally Healthy Business Operations

Questions & Comments

Next week’s class will be held on Tuesday, February 14 th Topic: Montrose Regional Airport Presented By: Montrose Regional Airport Director, Lloyd Arnold