|
Just as you reflect on important accomplishments in preparation for a new year, we at Weld County Government think it’s important to do the same. We strive every day to provide you, our residents, with the most efficient, cost-effective and responsive services possible. Meeting our residents’ expectations is always a top priority, and looking forward to 2022, we remain confident that we can once again achieve that goal.
Before we look ahead though, we invite you to continue reading to learn more about what we accomplished this year.
We also want to wish you a Happy New Year. May it bring new happiness, new goals and new achievements!
Sincerely, the Weld County Board of Commissioners
These are just a handful of things Weld County Government accomplished this year. For more on the summaries below, as well as others, be sure to check out the Weld County Commissioners 2021 Summary.
Many capital improvement projects were completed in 2021
For the first time since 2006, all three divisions of the Clerk and Recorder’s Office are now under the same roof. The new office is considerably larger, with the motor vehicle area able to comfortably seat 100 visitors.
The Treasurer’s Office returned to a newly renovated space in November that, among other improvements, features a bigger lobby as well as windows allowing people to see when a clerk is available, which can strengthen the department’s workflow and allow the public to be helped more efficiently.
After years located in the Centennial Center in Downtown Greeley, the Weld County Coroner’s Office moved into a new location in June. The 19,218-square-foot facility transforms the office into a fully functioning autopsy facility, eliminating the need to use the autopsy unit at McKee Medical Center as had been done in previous years saving both staff time and taxpayer dollars.
More than a decade of planning and saving money for an expansion to the Weld County Jail culminated in the addition of 373 inmate beds as well as administrative offices and the renovation of the inmate storage and kitchen areas.
COVID-19 funding continues
In late January, Weld County Government received roughly $9.8 million through the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. Shortly after, the county began disbursing funds through its own ERA program and has issued more than $6 million to residents struggling to pay rent and utilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to distributing COVID-19 funds through the ERA program, the Board of Commissioners also reviewed a plan put together by Weld County Finance Director Don Warden for use of more than $63 million from the American Rescue Plan Act this past August. The funds are being put toward added jail costs related to COVID-19, additional contact tracing staff and scheduled infrastructure projects within the Department of Public Works.
CDBG program helping communities thrive
To help with improvements in municipalities across Weld County, the Board of Commissioners approved three community improvement projects presented by the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Committee in March. CDBG funds have already aided in the expansion of Firestone’s Via Transit Service from three days to five per week and six to seven hours daily. The project totaled $90,000.
Two other projects in Evans were also approved. The Evans Water Efficiency program will partner with Larimer County’s Conservation Corps (LCCC) to assess low- to moderate-income owner-occupied homes in replacing toilets and water fixtures. Funding will also be utilized to pave two blocks of Idaho Street in Evans as well as replace a waterline.
Board takes a stand for agriculture by proclaiming Meat-IN Day on March 20
In direct response to the Governor’s action in late February, the board proclaimed March 20 as Weld County Ranching, Livestock and “Meat-IN” Day.
“When Governor Polis declared March 20 as MeatOUT day, it was a slap in the face to the thousands of ranching and farm families across this state,” said Weld County Commissioner Chair Steve Moreno. “It was yet another hit against rural Colorado.”
Weld County has long been the state’s leading county in agricultural products sold, bringing in $2 billion annually. Approximately 85% of that revenue comes from the sale of livestock, poultry and products alone.
“Our farmers and ranchers are the original stewards of our environment,” said Commissioner Lori Saine. “To those serving us in one of Colorado’s first industries, the governor’s Meat-Out proclamation was a pre-emptive strike against agriculture.”
Weld Legacy Trail opened in July
This summer, residents throughout Weld County were introduced to the Weld Legacy Trail, located behind the Southwest Services Complex at 4209 County Road 24½ in Firestone. The trail — one segment of the St. Vrain Legacy Trail project intended to connect various communities along the Front Range — was constructed in the early 2000s but remained closed to the public while the property surrounding it served as an active gravel mine. When the Central Colorado Water Conservancy District (CCWCD) purchased the surrounding property in 2017 for water storage, the county retained a right of way agreement to continue improving the trail and began preparing the gravel pits for water storage.
The Weld Legacy Trail opened following years of planning and partnerships along with several months of design work by the Weld County Department of Public Works to make the trail more user friendly and resistant to flooding.
Thank you to everyone for taking the County Roots Survey!
To the more than 100 people who took time to provide feedback regarding the County Roots newsletter, thank you! We’ve heard your suggestions and will continue to work hard to implement changes in hopes of bringing you a newsletter that you continually find interesting and engaging.
Some of the changes coming in 2022 include:
- Short introductions of Weld County employees to show readers what they do in their positions with Weld County Government.
- Answers to some common questions about Weld County Government.
- Pictures, pictures, pictures! – Many of you want more pictures to go with the stories, and we’re working on a way to make that happen.
Those changes, along with the same great stories you’ve come to expect are coming your way in 2022!
By Baker Geist, Weld County Communications Specialist
|
