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WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
September 1, 1976
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity
with the Weld County Home Rule Charter at 401 N. 15th Avenue,
Greeley, Colorado, on Wednesday, September 1, 1976 at the hour
of 2 o'clock.
ROLL CALL: The meeting began with an invocation by Mr. John T. Martin, President.
On roll call the following members were present:
President, John T. Martin
Vice President, Nancy Clark
Councilman Floyd Oliver
Councilman Bob E. White
Councilman Robert P. Martin
Also present: Bonnie Hickman, secretary; Mr. Norm Carlson, Commissioner;
three members of the press.
MINUTES: After correction, Bob White moved the Council accept the minutes of
August 18, 1976, seconded by Nancy Clark. Corrections are as follows:
page 2, paragraph 6, change "Mr. White" to "Mr. David referred...";
page 2, ,paragraph seven, change "review the planning and zoning board"
to "review Charter Section 4-4-(3)."
REPORTS
TAX LIMITATION: Council members discussed the current issue of the county
Charter's five-per-cent limitation on budget increases. John Martin
read a letter from the State Department of Local Affairs which stated
that the Charter is equal to or more restrictive than current state
statutes governing excess property tax, thus the Charter's restrictions,
not the state's, will apply to this year's budget sessions.
BUDGET REVIEW: John Martin read a letter from Barton Buss regarding the mil
levy limitations: General Fund 5 mills, CRS 30-25-201 and Social
Services Fund 2.5 mills, CRS 26-1-125.
Norm Carlson said the 1975 audit was presented two weeks ago to the
Commissioners, but the auditing firm was retaining it to make added
corrections. Nancy Clark made a motion to check again on the status
of the audit by telephone and if they are not available to send a
letter to the Commissioners with carbon copies to the auditing firm
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County Council Minutes Page 2
September 1, 1976
requesting them immediately. Floyd Oliver seconded the motion. A
recess was declared and Mrs. Clark phonedBette Rhoden who reported
the audit was not in. She then called the auditing firm - they
reported the audits should be available the beginning of next week.
(The motion was later removed.)
The Council is urged to attend all budget meetings, beginning on
September 16 at 2:00 when Barton Buss presents the budget and those
meetings between September 30 and October 13.
Council members discussed their role in the budget. Members expressed
a concern that the budget should be cut rather than expanded and should
be based on actual need and not a five-per-cent increase. Lease-
purchasing was also discussed. Bob White prefers to see the county
pay off current lease-purchases and not to continue the practice in the
future.
COUNCIL BUDGET: A clarification was made on the Council's budget. The Council
is being charged $121.25 for one year's use of the Extension Office
copy machine. This is their monthly rental fee. Nancy Clark suggested
making similar arrangements for 1977 and the secretary was instructed
to contact Mr. Stan Boyce on this matter.
COUNTY ATTORNEY: Norm Carlson, Commissioner, presented a copy of the resolution
rescinding a prior resolution regarding the hired special legal counsel
and clarifying the authority of the full-time county attorney. A
copy of the Status of Pending Law Suits of Weld County shows 28 law
suits in which the legal counsel is still involved.
Mr. White questioned Norm Carlson regarding Mr. Telep's July 1976
statement, the two entries of July 15 for one half hour and of
July 7 for one quarter hour. The Council was concerned that the full-
time attorney should have been handling legal matters since July 1.
Bob White made a motion that the file of 1976 purchase orders by
Sam Telep be given to the chairman of the finance committee for study
and that recanmendations be made to the Council. Nancy Clark seconded
the motion. . Motion carried.
GENERAL TOWNS MEETING: John Martin read a memo inviting the Council to the
September 24 General Town Meeting. It will be at the Greeley Elks
Club and begin at 6 P.M.
LEASE PURCHASING: Nancy Clark suggested that Bob White prepare a final report
in the form of suggestions regarding the lease-purchasing study which
could be presented to the Commissioners. Mr. White will present the
report on September 15.
PRIORITIES: The Council discussed their priorities for the next few months.
All agreed the budget should take first place. Also the matter of
amendments for the Charter. Nancy Clark suggested Council Members
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September 1, 1976
talk with elected officials if they have any problems with the
Charter. A main concern was the Charter section on the Commissioners
acting on ordinances. Nancy Clark will discuss this with the County
Attorney.
MISCELLANEOUS: Robert Martin requested a letter be sent to the County Clerk
and Recorder and a carbon copy to the Election Department stating
his appointment as representative at-large for the County Council,
to be filed with his oath taken August 17, 1976.
John Martin read a ,copy of the Commissioner's response to the
Agriculture Council of Weld County regarding county owned mineral
rights and the severed minerals. The Commissioners answered that the
legal staff was "investigating the ramifications possible to the county
and to land owners if the county divests itself of mineral rights it
owns."
The Council received the printed court action of the Home Rule Suit.
Bob White asked Nancy Clark if the budget calendar is what the League
of Women Voters needed. He requested an opinion from them.
Bob White had a concern regarding county flood clean-up. Floyd Oliver
responded that the county is taking bids beginning next week.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Inc G/ C ,n_c APPROVED
Bonnie Hickman, Secretary
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