HomeMy WebLinkAbout20220287.tiffMINUTES
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
November 15, 2021
The Weld County Council met in regular session in full conformity with the Weld County Home
Rule Charter at 6:30 p.m., Monday, November 15, 2021, at the Weld County Administration
Building, 1150 0 Street, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALL:
The meeting was called to order by Vice -President Nancy Teksten. Councilmembers Tonya
L. Van Beber, Elijah Hatch and Rupert Parchment were present, constituting a quorum of
members. Council President James Welch had an excused absence. Also present was Council
Secretary Linda Kane.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA :
Councilmember Van Beber made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by
Councilmember Parchment and carried.
APPROVAL OF DOCUMENTATION:
Approval of October 18, 2021, Minutes
Councilmember Hatch made a motion to approve the October 18 minutes, seconded by
Councilmember Van Beber, and the motion carried.
REVIEW PROGRAM:
Carly Koppes, County Clerk and Recorder
Weld County Clerk and Recorder Carly Koppes and Rudy Santos, Chief Deputy, presented a
general overview of their department. Mr. Santos is celebrating 20 years with the county.
They explained election preparation is a year-round responsibility, requiring monthly
maintenance. Only a residential house can be used to actually register to vote. Ms. Koppes said
non -US residents can get IDs, but they have a black box on there so they cannot be registered
to vote.
Ms. Koppes said her department must be constantly diligent about new laws. She said election
judges perform and conduct the election as it's a citizen -based election process. They start
building ballots when the election gets close.
She said Weld County has the most complicated ballot in the state because of so many
municipalities, and fire, school, sewer and water districts.
Election processes must endure checks and balances conducted by someone other than the
Clerk. Ballots are only mailed to active voters. Currently there are 208,000 active voters in Weld
County.
Ms. Koppes explained voting machines are not used in Weld County or in Colorado. She said
Colorado is a paper ballot state with ballot marking devices. Drop boxes are under 24 -hour
surveillance, with 17 available in the county. Envelopes by mail/drop off locations/drop boxes
are tracked and residents can see progress online using ballottrax.com.
Ms. Koppes said by the time a ballot gets scanned for vote counting, it has been verified and
cross checked seven times. The only thing that stops at 7 p.m. on election day is your ability to
vote.
Each of Colorado's 64 counties conducts its own independent election. Statewide audits are
conducted based on multiple variables. The audits are meant to be as random as possible using
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mathematical equations. Ms. Koppes said her department continues to try and educate the
public as there is so much mis/dis/mal-information circulating. Weld County is the gold standard
nationwide and in Colorado when it comes to security of elections and voter access.
More specific information can be found at www.weldvotes.com.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment.
NEW BUSINESS:
Coordinator Reports/Councilman Reports
There were no councilmember reports
Bills
Councilmember Hatch made a motion to approve bills, it was seconded by Councilmember
Parchment and carried. The bills were paid as follows:
o Weld County Phone Bill for October $25.00
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business.
ADJOURNMENT:
By acclamation, the meeting was adjourned at 7:24 p.m.
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December 20, 2021
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C- ncil President, James Welch
Council Secretary, Linda Kane
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