REC CENTER FEES INCREASING! Will be decided at February 13 BOCC meeting!
MEETING OUTTAKES BELOW!!!
Several of our Gilpin Light members attended the Gilpin County Commissioners’ meeting this past Tuesday (Jan. 23) after we saw there was an agenda item regarding increasing FEES FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER! We had a sneaking suspicion they did not get the point from the results of the voters’ significant defeat of the County’s proposed 1A FOREVER TAX TO FUND THE REC CENTER.
THAT IS DEFINITELY WHAT HAPPENED! The Director’s chart of proposed increases is at the top of this page. Take a look!
The voters spoke - we want the General Fund to cover the costs of the rec center as it did for 17 years…fully funded by our General Fund, open SEVEN DAYS A WEEK TO ALL PEOPLE! We now have a rec center that is only open to the general public 4 1/2 days a week. It is also open on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but FOR DAY CARE ONLY!
What about “NO” don’t they understand? They didn’t get the mill levy passed, so they have already begun their assault on the taxpayers!
We have a very wealthy county - much wealthier than it was when the rec center was open 7 DAYS A WEEK, (there is a $20 million reserve account) but the powers that be are not making wise spending decisions! They seem bound and determined to spend our money on things other than the rec center - like the 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR FOOD PANTRY CURRENTLY BEING DESIGNED !!!
See what YOU think! We have included below some short, pertinent audio clips we took while at the meeting. Feel free to click in and hear their words for yourself.
Hollingsworth is on the right, Berumen in the center, and Mornis on the left.
Commissioners’ comments (in a nutshell):
Mornis - Don’t raise the fees now. Review at end of year.
Hollingsworth - Raise them, but less than proposed.
Berumen - It’s reasonable to raise the fees, since it’s been three years.
They postponed the vote on the issue until Tuesday, February 13. If you have an opinion, please contact the Commissioners (info below), or attend to speak your opinion at the beginning of the meeting at the Historic Courthouse in Central City at 9 a.m.
(Those with mobility issues can park behind the building for easier access).
Here are the audio outtakes: We apologize for the frozen video. We are learning as we go! 😉
First, Commissioner Mornis stated her opinion not to raise fees at all this year.
Our county is CONSTANTLY comparing costs of other, larger areas, (for instance Evergreen and Clear Creek in this case) to determine our costs, salaries, etc. No other place is like this place, so why?!? Here Commissioner Berumen is questioning Director Chisholm.
Funds from Parks and Rec are paying for expensive field trips for the day care? That’s how I heard this - $600 for bus transportation? We’ll look into this further. What do you hear here? Director Chisholm…
County Manager, Ray Rears reminds the commissioners what a loss it was that the people refused to pass the forever tax (mill levy). Now they have to find different ways to get it out of us!
Commissioner Hollingsworth’s recommendation…
All these increases only add $30,000 more in a year! Why make families struggle to pay extra when Gilpin County has a $20 MILLION reserve account?!?
Commissioner Berumen says it’s time to raise the rates.
One of our genius members, Kathleen Balfour, shared a BRILLIANT IDEA with me the other day…
The Rec Center should offer ONE FREE DAY A MONTH (say, the last Friday of the month, when funds may be low for folks)!!!! Wouldn’t that be wonderful? Anybody in the County could go anytime between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. to check out the rec center, swim, work out, walk the track, etc. Heck, if you’re a senior, you could even call Mary Ellen the day before (303-582-5444) and reserve a spot for the Senior Lunch at noon!
We have a beautiful rec center! If you haven’t been there in a while, (or ever) give it some thought! Kathleen is going to propose her idea to the commissioners on February 13. We hope they agree it’s a great idea to bring more Gilpin residents in to get healthy!
We asked the County Manager to post Board of Commissioners meetings on the website. He has made that happen. You can watch this meeting in its entirety on the County website. We are continuing to request ALL Commissioner meetings (including Workshops) be posted on the website.
Open government! Lovely idea!
Below is a screenshot of the page on the County website where you can click into the Commissioners’ “PACKET” and see it all for yourself, including recommendations to raise rates for the contractors in this county, and people needing permits. It’s all there. Just type “gilpincounty.colorado.gov” into your search box and you will be at the website. Follow our lead (pic below) to open their Packet. You can also contact Deputy Clerk Lyndsey Denton (ldenton@gilpincounty.org or call her at 303-582-5214 ext 11001) and ask to be added to her list of those who receive Board of Commissioner Agendas in their email.
FINALLY…Since we are in an election year, we wanted to post the times and locations of the two major political party meetings in Gilpin County for your convenience! This is going to be a big year for our nation and our county. Consider getting to know those who are likeminded, and attend the meetings of your choice!
Both Democrats and Republicans hold monthly meetings at our Gilpin Public Library on 119 in mid-Gilpin.
Republicans meet the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. (Next meeting THIS Thursday, Feb. 1).
Democrats meet the fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m.
(Next meeting Feb. 22).
Thank you for reading, researching and sharing the light!
Donna Okray Parman
Founder, The Gilpin Light
Tap the box below to…
... or call them at 303-582-5214 to voice your concerns.
Bypass lengthy voice commands by tapping these extension numbers as soon as the system answers. It will connect you to the Commissioner's voicemail.
Marie Mornis extension - 11101
Sandy Hollingsworth extension - 11103
Susan Berumen extension - 11102
