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It’s hard to believe how quickly a year goes, but we’re nearing the end of 2022. Before we flip the page to 2023, we thought it important to reflect on some of our accomplishments this year as we continually strive to provide useful services to you, our residents, in the most responsive, cost-effective and efficient manner possible. Here are five of our top 10 accomplishments for 2022. To read the full top-10 summary, visit https://www.weld.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Information-Office/2022-Annual-Summary.
New roundabout to enhance safety, eliminate congestion
Enhancing safety and efficiency in the face of continued growth; that was the goal of the 35th Ave. and O St. roundabout, which opened in September.
“We’re always looking for ways to provide the safest and most efficient transportation system through our county, while at the same time using taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively. Roundabouts have been shown to be safer options in high-traffic areas compared to a traffic signal or four-way stop, are more efficient at moving traffic through an intersection and are cheaper to maintain in the long run,” said Weld County Commissioner Chair Scott James.
Weld County Public Works was responsible for project design and management, while IHC Scott completed construction. Features include a concrete driving surface to achieve a 30-year life span and wider lanes to accommodate agricultural equipment. The county, City of Greeley and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs all contributed toward project costs.
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Weld County's assessed value increases to all-time high
Weld County’s assessed value was set at $18.7 billion in August, marking a more than $6 billion increase from 2021. Weld County Assessor Brenda Dones attributed the jump to global decisions on oil and gas causing the combined price of the commodity to rise 80%, fueling the higher value. The increase in assessed value was the county’s first since 2019 when the value reached $15.7 billion.
“A strong assessed value helps us meet our goal of providing the best services possible to residents,” said James.
County website undergoes change to enhance security
In light of more cyberattacks targeted at government websites, Weld County Government made a change to its URL, transitioning from www.weldgov.com to www.weld.gov.
The public can still type in weldgov.com,” said Weld County’s Chief Information Officer Ryan Rose, “as it will redirect the user to our more secure weld.gov site. It seems like a minor change to some, but it’s a change that makes our website more secure and provides visitors to our site the assurance that they are on a genuine government website.”
Moving to a .gov site improves security and searchability of our online presence, ensures users are, in fact, on the official Weld County Government website (.coms can be purchased by anyone; .gov domains are limited to qualified government agencies), and it requires a secure HTTPS connection, among other security improvements.
“Government at all levels understands the importance of keeping their systems and information safe, and this is just one more way Weld County is doing just that,” Rose said.
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New technology to bring greater efficiencies to public safety
A collaborative process lasting more than two years between the Weld County Department of Information Technology, Public Safety Communications, the Sheriff’s Office and 42 first responder agencies countywide has resulted in the implementation of new technology that will bring efficiencies to public safety response.
CentralSquare features a new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system as well as record management and booking software, all of which will enhance workflow and communication between the county’s public safety departments and first responder agencies, enhancing the quality of services the public receives.
“This investment by the county is a huge benefit to residents,” said Commissioner Mike Freeman, Coordinator of the county IT Department. “The tools the new system brings to our law, fire and EMS agencies, as well as dispatch, makes their jobs a bit easier. And the fact so many entities came together to make this transition smooth speaks to the commitment agencies across this county have for serving residents in the best way possible.”
The Weld County Department of Information Technology was integral in the installation and training of the software. In fact, the department spent more than 13,000 hours on the project.
Weld County departments earn reaccreditation
The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) achieved five-year reaccreditation through the national Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). The reaccreditation makes the department one of only eight in Colorado to be accredited by the PHAB.
The WCDPHE was first accredited in 2016. To earn reaccreditation, a health department must undergo a rigorous, multi-faceted, peer-reviewed assessment process to ensure it meets or exceeds a set of quality standards and measures.
"The reaccreditation process helps to ensure that the programs and services we provide are as responsive as possible to the needs of our community,” said Freeman, Commissioner Coordinator of the WCDPHE. “With reaccreditation, the Health Department is demonstrating increased accountability and credibility to the public, funders, elected officials, and partner organizations with which we work.”
Continuing a tradition of excellence in dispatching service, the Weld County Regional Communications Center (WCRCC) was once again named an Accredited Center of Excellence in September by the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED).
The reaccreditation was the WCRCC’s third since 2013. Reaccreditation by the IAED symbolizes excellence in medical dispatching and occurs after calls are evaluated by WCRCC staff and the IAED to be sure they are meeting appropriate standards of both agencies.
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By Baker Geist, Weld County Communications Specialist
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