HomeMy WebLinkAbout961408 OFFICE OF BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
PHONE'. 970-356-4000, Ext. 4200
I F'ax. 970-352-0242
P.O. Box 758
CGREELEY, COLORADO 80632
•
COLORADO
August 12, 1996
Board of Supervisors
West Greeley Soil Conservation District
4302 West 9th Street Road
Greeley, CO 80634
Dear Board of Supervisors: -
On July 29, 1996, the Weld County Board of Commissioners met to discuss your letter
regarding the West Greeley Soil Conservation District's participation in land use referrals and
weed spraying activities.
Your letter expressed an apparent displeasure with the amount of attention extended to your
referrals by the Board of County Commissioners. Land use decisions are based on a matrix
of variables, and we are responsible for considering all variables and issues related to a site.
Your referrals are important to us, however, they are tools we use to make appropriate land
use decisions. We appreciate the amount of energy extended by your staff to provide us with
the information needed to make astute decisions. Management of natural resources is a
priority for the board, but the ability to integrate these management issues with land use rights
is challenging. The Board of County Commissioners' role in land use is quasi-judicial. We
must balance the delicate issues of property rights-of the owner, the adjacent property owners,
and the interest of the public. The board uses information and recommendations from you to
help determine its decision. The value of your recommendations often is found in the
conditions the-board imposes upon the land use permit. Our goal is to ensure that natural
resources are protected and yet property rights are not violated. We hope you understand and
appreciate that land use decisions and the conditions imposed are our attempts to accommodate
all the competing needs and demands of many different parties affected by the decisions.
The second concern regarded your participation in weed spraying procedures in Weld County.
According to our information, the district has spent $26,176 to help with this activity during
the past three years. Weld County is a vast county with limited resources dedicated for this
activity. We agree that the control of noxious weeds is our responsibility and the
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West Greeley Soil Conservation District Page 2 August 12, 1996
responsibility of Weld County citizens. We acknowledge that we have increased our level of
service in the northern area of the county because of your actions and concerns. We
appreciate your partnership in this activity. Should you choose not to participate in the 1997
budget, the board will have to weigh the resources required with other demands for services.
We will decide if the county can increase its contribution to weed spraying or reduce the level
of services. This decision will not be made until the budget hearings in October.
We appreciate your concerns and hope the above responses give you a better understanding of
our position. Your continued interest and cooperation on both matters are appreciated. If we
can be of further assistance to you concerning these or other issues, please let us know.
Very truly yours,
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIIONERS
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trbara J. Kirkmeye Chair � i '
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gDale K. Hall
Constance L. Harbert W. H. Webster
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cc: Don Warden
Monica Daniels-Mika
Ron Broda
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