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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE WELD COUNTY HOME RULE
CHARTER AND THE WELD COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
What is the Weld County Home Rule Charter?
The Weld County Home Rule Charter ("the Charter") became effective January 1, 1976. The
Charter's Preamble sets forth the reasons why the People of Weld County voted in 1975 for its
adoption: to avail the citizens of Weld County self-determination in county affairs as permitted
by the Colorado Constitution and the laws of the State of Colorado; to provide uncomplicated,
un-burdensome government responsive to the people; and to provide for the most efficient and
effective county government possible.
The Charter attains the goals listed in the Preamble by establishing a structure and
organization of county government in Weld County that:
1. Broadly accepts the grants of powers and authority provided statutory and home rule
counties in State law;
2. Vests administrative, executive and legislative powers granted by State law in a five -
member Board of County Commissioners, including the authority to adopt an
Administrative Code by ordinance; and vests powers granted and duties required by State
law in an elected Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, and Sheriff, and in an appointed Coroner
and Treasurer;
3. Creates four departments of Weld County government;
4. Establishes a County Council to set annual salaries of County elected officials, fill
vacancies in offices of the Board of County Commissioners, consider the suspension of
elected officials who are subject to recall petition or have been charged or indicted for the
commission of a crime, and review all aspects of county governments and make periodic
reports to the people relating to expenditures, efficiency, responsiveness, adherence to
law, and other matters the Council deems advisable;
5. Sets a 5% annual tax levy growth limitation and limits certain capital expenditures; and
6. Reserves unto the people of Weld County the right of initiative and referendum.
Amendments to the Charter must be approved by a majority vote of the registered electors
who vote upon such amendments at either a general or special election.
What is the Weld County Administrative Code?
The Weld County Administrative Code ("the Code") is approved by ordinances of the Board
of County Commissioners. The Code addresses policies and procedures for County officers and
employees to follow in their work, and establishes various rules and regulations governing
activities of Weld County citizens. Policies and procedures for County officers and employees
address, for example, general administration of county offices, human resources, social media,
purchasing and accounting, and emergency management. The rules and regulations governing
activities of Weld County citizens address, for example, traffic, operation of marijuana facilities,
installation of culverts and cattle guards, which land uses may occur in various zones of the
County, and the subdivision of real properties located in the County.
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WELD COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER
AS AMENDED THROUGH NOVEMBER 7, 2017
WELD COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECTION PAGE
TABLE OF CONTENTS i - iv
PREAMBLE 1
HISTORY OF AMENDMENTS 1
ARTICLE I - NAME, NATURE, BOUNDARIES, COUNTY SEAT 1
Section 1-1. - Name 1
Section 1-2. - Nature and Legal Capacity 2
Section 1-3. - Boundaries 2
Section 1-4. - County Seat 2
ARTICLE II - COUNTY POWERS 2
Section 2-1. - General Powers 2
Section 2-2. - Exercise of Power 2
Section 2-3. - Cooperative Agreements 3
Section 2-4. — (Deleted)
Section 2-5. - Construction 3
ARTICLE III - BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS 3
Section 3-1. - Composition 3
Section 3-2. - Districts 3
Section 3-3. - Qualifications of Members 4
Section 3-4. - Terms of Office 4
Section 3-5. - Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners 4
Section 3-6. - Commissioner - Departments 4
Section 3-7. - Clerk to the Board 5
Section 3-8. - Powers and Duties 5
Section 3-9. - Compensation 7
Section 3-10. - Rules of Procedure 8
Section 3-11. - Meetings 8
Section 3-12. - Quorum 8
Section 3-13. - Majority Required 8
Section 3-14. - Ordinances 9
Section 3-15. - Vacancies 10
ARTICLE IV - DEPARTMENTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT 10
Section 4-1. - Departments Created 10
Section 4-2. - Department of Finance and Administration 11
Section 4-3. - Department of Health Services 14
Section 4-4. - Department of Planning Services 16
Section 4-5. - Department of Public Works 18
Section 4-6. - Department of Communications Services 19
(Deleted November 3, 2009)
ARTICLE V - DEPARTMENT OF LAW 19
Section 5-1. - County Attorney — Appointment 19
Section 5-2. - Qualifications 19
Section 5-3. - Duties 19
Section 5-4. - Special Counsel 20
ARTICLE VI - ELECTIVE OFFICERS 20
Section 6-1. - Elective Officers 20
Section 6-2. - Oath of Office 20
Section 6-3. - Vacancy 20
Section 6-4. - Term of Office 21
Section 6-5. - Qualifications 21
Section 6-6. - Compensation 21
ARTICLE VII - COUNTY ASSESSOR 21
Section 7-1. - Bond 21
Section 7-2. - Duties 22
Section 7-3. - Qualifications of Chief Deputy 22
Section 7-4. - Terms of Office 22
ARTICLE VIII - COUNTY CLERK 22
Section 8-1. - Bond 22
Section 8-2. - Duties 22
Section 8-3. - Terms of Office 23
ARTICLE IX - COUNTY CORONER 23
Section 9-1. - Duties 23
ARTICLE X - COUNTY SHERIFF 23
Section 10-1. - Qualifications 23
Section 10-2. - Bond 24
Section 10-3. - Duties 24
Section 10-4. - Qualifications of Undersheriff 24
Section 10-5. - Duties of Undersheriff 24
Section 10-6. - Jailer — County not Furnish Residence 25
Section 10-7. - Terms of Office 25
ARTICLE XI - COUNTY TREASURER 25
Section 11-1. - Bond 25
Section 11-2. - Duties 25
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Section 11-3. - Qualifications of Chief Deputy 25
Section 11-4. - Investment of Funds 26
ARTICLE XII - OFFICE OF COUNTY SURVEYOR ABOLISHED 26
Section 12-1. - Office of County Surveyor Abolished 26
Section 12-2. - Transfer of Duties 26
Section 12-3. - Existing Property and Records 26
ARTICLE XIII - COUNTY COUNCIL 26
Section 13-1. - Composition 26
Section 13-2. - Qualifications of Members 27
Section 13-3. - Terms of Office 27
Section 13-4. - Organization 27
Section 13-5. - Quorum — Majority — Action .... 27
Section 13-6. - Compensation 28
Section 13-7. - Vacancies 28
Section 13-8. - Powers and Duties 28
Section 13-9. - Nomination of Councilmen 29
ARTICLE XIV - FINANCE AND BUDGET 31
Section 14-1. - Fiscal Year 31
Section 14-2. - Annual Budget 31
Section 14-3. - Capital Improvements Program and Budget 32
Section 14-4. - Audits 32
Section 14-5. - Funds 32
Section 14-6. - Long -Term Financing 32
Section 14-7. - Limitation on Annual Tax Levy 32
Section 14-8. - Limitation of Capital Expenditures 33
Section 14-9. - Bidding - Procedure 34
ARTICLE XV - ELECTIONS 34
Section 15-1. - General Elections 34
Section 15-2. - Special Elections 34
Section 15-3. - Recall 34
Section 15-4. - Initiative and Referendum 36
Section 15-5. - Election Required Regarding Siting of Correctional or Detention Facilities 38
ARTICLE XVI - GENERAL PROVISIONS 39
Section 16-1. - Continuity of Government 39
Section 16-2. - Eminent Domain 39
Section 16-3. - Bonding of Officers 39
Section 16-4. - Invalidity of Part — Severability 39
Section 16-5. - Article and Section Titles 40
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Section 16-6. - Public Notice 40
Section 16-7. - Vacancy 40
Section 16-8. - Boards — Composition 41
Section 16-9. - Ethics Rules and Standards 41
Section 16-10. - Definitions 41
Section 16-11. - Solid Waste Disposal Sites — Surcharge 44
ARTICLE XVII - AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER 45
Section 17-1. - Procedure to Amend or Repeal Charter 45
Section 17-2. - Conflicting Amendments 46
ARTICLE XVIII - TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS 46
Section 18-1. - Purpose of Article 46
Section 18-2. - Effective Date of Charter 46
Section 18-3. - Transition of Elective County Offices 46
Section 18-4. - Elections to Fill New Commissioner Positions 46
Section 18-5. - Elections to Fill New County Councilman Positions 47
Section 18-6. - Salaries 47
Section 18-7. - Prior Legislation and Policies 47
Section 18-8. - Existing Contracts 47
Section 18-9. - Continuation of Employment 48
Section 18-10. - Appointive Boards and Commissions 48
Section 18-11. - Continuation of Programs 48
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WELD COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER
PREAMBLE
We, the people of Weld County, Colorado, in order to avail ourselves of self-determination
in county affairs to the fullest extent permissible under the Constitution and laws of the State of
Colorado, and in order to provide uncomplicated, unburdensome government responsive to the
people, and in order to provide for the most efficient and effective county government possible,
do hereby ordain, establish and adopt this Home Rule Charter for Weld County, Colorado.
HISTORY OF AMENDMENTS
1. Article V, Section 2: Effective date - January 1, 1979.
2. Article XIV, Section 14-9(5): Effective date - January 1, 1985.
3. Article III, Section 3-7, Section 3-11(2), Section 3-14(7): Effective date - July 1, 1990.
4. Article VI, Section 6-1: Effective date - July 1, 1990.
5. Article VIII, Subsections 8-2(3) and (5): Effective date - July 1, 1990.
6. Article V, Section 5-2: Effective date - March 22, 1990.
7. Article VI, Section 6-3: Effective date - March 22, 1990.
8. Article XIII, Section 13-9, Subsections (2) and (4), Subsections (6), (8) and (9): Effective
date - March 22, 1990.
9. Article XVI, Section 16-10(30): Effective date - March 22, 1990.
10. Article XVI, Section 16-11: Effective date - November 7, 1990.
11. Article VI, Section 6-5(4): Effective Date - November 8, 1994.
12. Article XV, Section 15-5: Effective Date - June 13, 1995 (By Special Election).
13. Article II, Section 2-4 Deleted, Article IV, Section 4-2, Article VI, Section 6-1, Article XIII,
Section 13-8, Article XVI, Section 16-10, Article XVII, Section 17-1: Effective Date -
November 8, 2001; January 1, 2003 (where stated).
14. Article IV, Section 4-4(B): Effective Date - November 2, 2005.
15. Article XIII, Section 13-9: Effective Date - November 7, 2006.
16. Article III, Section 3-4, Section 3-15, Article VI, Section 6-4, Article VII, Section 7-4, Article
VIII, Section 8-3, Article X, Section 10-7, Article XIII, Section 13-3, Section 13-7, Section
13-8: Effective Date - November 6, 2007.
17. Article III, Section 3-15, Article IV, Section 4-1, Section 4-2, Section 4-5, Section 4-6,
Article XIII, Section 13-8, Section 13-9, Article XIV, Section 14-2, Section 14-3: Effective
Date - November 3, 2009.
18. Article XVI, Section 16-9: Effective Date — November 7, 2017.
ARTICLE I - NAME, NATURE, BOUNDARIES, COUNTY SEAT
Section 1-1. - Name.
The name of the county as it operates under this Charter shall continue to be Weld County.
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Section 1-2. - Nature and Legal Capacity.
From the time that this Charter takes effect the County shall continue to be:
(1) an agency of the State and
(2) a body politic and corporate.
Section 1-3. - Boundaries.
The boundaries of the County as it operates under this Charter shall be the boundaries now
or hereafter prescribed for the County by the laws of the State.
Section 1-4. - County Seat.
The seat of government of the County as it operates under this Charter shall continue to be
in the City of Greeley; provided nothing herein shall prevent the location of county buildings and
facilities elsewhere in the County.
ARTICLE II - COUNTY POWERS
Section 2-1. - General Powers.
Except as this Charter provides to the contrary, Weld County shall exercise and provide all
mandatory and permissive county powers and functions as provided by law and shall have all
rights and powers now or hereafter granted or allowed by the laws of the United States and
under the Constitution and laws of the State of Colorado for exercise by counties; in addition
thereto, it shall be authorized without amendment to this Charter to provide all functions,
services, and facilities and to exercise all prerogatives, functions, duties, and powers that may
now or hereafter be authorized by the Constitution of the State of Colorado and statutes enacted
pursuant thereto for home rule counties, it being the intent and purpose of the people in
adopting this Charter to vest their county government with all of the prerogatives and powers of
local government that are now or in the future shall be available to it.
Section 2-2. - Exercise of Power.
All executive, administrative, and legislative powers, functions, duties and prerogatives now
or hereafter possessed by Weld County shall be vested in a Board of County Commissioners in
the Elective Officers provided for by this Charter. Executive and administrative powers, hereby
vested in the Board may, to the extent provided in this Charter, be exercised by the departments
herein established as agents of the Board. The legislative powers of the County shall be exercised
only by the Board.
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Section 2-3. - Cooperative Agreements.
The County shall have the power to enter into contracts or agreements with other
governmental units for joint use of buildings, equipment and facilities, and for furnishing and
receiving commodities or services, including law enforcement services. Such agreements or
contracts shall be authorized only by the Board of County Commissioners.
Section 2-5. - Construction.
In this Charter no mention of a particular power or enumeration of similar powers shall be
construed to be exclusive or to restrict the authority that the County would have if the particular
power were not mentioned or the similar powers not enumerated. The Charter shall be liberally
construed, to the end that, within the limits imposed by the Charter and by the law of the United
States and of the State, the County has all powers necessary or convenient for the conduct of its
affairs, including all powers that counties may assume under the statutes of the State and under
the provisions of the State Constitution concerning county home rule.
ARTICLE III - BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Section 3-1. - Composition.
The Board of County Commissioners shall consist of five members elected as follows:
(1) Three members, each nominated, elected and residing in separate geographic
districts as established in Section 3-2 of this Article.
(2) Two members, each nominated and elected from the County at large.
Section 3-2. - Districts.
(1) There are hereby established three geographic commissioner districts numbered
district 1, 2 and 3 which shall, initially, correspond to the three commissioner districts
in existence on the effective date of this Charter.
(2) The Board shall review the boundaries of the districts when necessary, but not more
often than every two years, and then revise and alter the boundaries so that districts
are as nearly equal in population as possible.
(3) Any change in the boundaries of a County Commissioner's district which shall cause a
duly elected or appointed Commissioner to be no longer a resident of the district
which he represents shall not disqualify him from holding office during the remainder
of the term for which he was elected or appointed.
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Section 3-3. - Qualifications of Members.
Commissioners from districts shall reside within their geographic districts when nominated,
elected or appointed and during their terms of office.
Section 3-4. - Terms of Office.
(1) The terms of office of County Commissioners shall commence on the first working day
of the year immediately following the general election at which they are elected and
shall be for four years, with terms staggered as follows: Two Commissioners, one each
from geographic districts numbered one and three and one Commissioner elected at
large, shall be elected for four-year terms at the general election in 1976 and each
four (4) years thereafter; and one Commissioner for geographic district number two
and one Commissioner elected at large shall be elected for a four (4) year term at the
general election in 1978 and each four (4) years thereafter.
(2) The term of office of a Commissioner shall continue until his successor is elected and
qualified.
(3) No person shall serve more than three full consecutive terms as a County
Commissioner.
Section 3-5. - Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
(1) The Board, from among its members, shall elect annually at its first meeting in January
of each year, a Chairman of the Board.
(2) The Chairman shall preside over meetings of the Board.
(3) The Board, from among its members, shall elect annually at its first meeting in January
of each year, a Chairman Pro-Tem, to preside over meetings in the absence of the
Chairman.
Section 3-6. - Commissioner - Departments.
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(1) The Department of Finance Central Purchasing, and Personnel shall be coordinated
by the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners.
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(2) Each of the other #ems- major departments, as established by Article IV, shall be
coordinated by one of the other Commissioners together with assistance from
another Commissioner, both of whom shall be appointed by the Board at its first
meeting in January each year.
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Section 3-7. - Clerk to the Board.
(1) The Clerk to the Board shall be appointed by and under the direction of the Board of
County Commissioners of Weld County. The Board of County Commissioners may
employ such Deputy Clerks to the Board as may be necessary or required to carry out
the duties of the office. The deputies shall be subject to the personnel policies, rules
and regulations, and classifications and compensation plans adopted pursuant to
Section 4-2, Article IV(B) of this Charter. The Clerk to the Board may be made subject
to the same provisions of Section 4-2, Article IV(B), by resolution of the Board.
(2) The Clerk to the Board shall be custodian of the County seal, and records and papers
of the Board of County Commissioners; shall maintain a journal and record of Board
proceedings; record all motions; resolutions; actions of and votes by the Board; shall
be the agent of the County for service of process; and shall perform such other duties
as are now or may hereafter be prescribed by law for Clerks of Boards of County
Commissioners or by this Charter.
Section 3-8. - Powers and Duties.
(1) The Board of County Commissioners shall be the governing body of the County. It shall
exercise all the powers and perform all the duties now required or permitted or that
may hereafter be required or permitted by State law to be exercised or performed by
County Commissioners in either home rule or non -home rule counties.
(2) It shall exercise all powers of the County to determine policy and to enact legislation.
(3) It shall be responsible for the proper exercise by the County departments and other
agencies established by this Charter or by the Board for all executive and
administrative powers and duties delegated thereto.
(4) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing or diminishing the total authority and
responsibility of the Board as herein provided, the powers and duties of the Board
shall include duties and powers to:
(a) Perform or provide for the performance of any duties and responsibilities required
by statute or the Constitution of Colorado of County Commissioners in home rule
counties and non -home rule counties.
(b) Enact legislation including such means of enforcement thereof as shall be
authorized by law, and otherwise formally promulgate county policy. Unless
otherwise required by statute, the Board shall act only by ordinance in matters of
legislation, contracts, appropriations, and disposition of real property, and by
ordinance, resolution or motion, as may be appropriate, in other matters.
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(c) Appoint, remove and establish qualifications of department heads, and through
them, direct the functions of county offices, departments, divisions and agencies.
(d) Appoint and remove the County Attorney, pursuant to Section 5-1 of this Charter,
and retain such other professional advisors as the Board may deem necessary.
(e) Adopt an administrative code.
(f) Develop, or cause to be developed, a system of employment policies, rules, job
classification and compensation plans in accordance with generally accepted
principles and promulgate such policies, rules and plans, under the authority of
and in compliance with the provisions of pertinent Colorado and Federal statutes
and this Charter.
(g) Initiate suits or actions on behalf of the County.
(h) Create such agencies, boards and commissions as the Board may deem necessary
or as may be required by State law, and appoint the members thereof. The action
creating an agency, board or commission shall also set forth compensation, duties,
and responsibilities as well as any qualifications and conditions of service. The
Board may designate itself to perform the functions and exercise the process of
any such board or commission, unless prohibited by State law or this Charter.
(i) Appropriate funds for all lawful purposes.
(j) Establish and levy taxes, charges, fees and licenses.
(k) Regulate, license, and tax utilities to the extent permitted by law.
(I) Purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, own, sell, trade, transfer, divide, lease,
encumber, or reserve interest in real and personal property, and receive gifts and
grants, in the name of the County.
(m)Approve and execute, on behalf of the County, all contracts. Contracts shall be
executed for the Board by the Chairman.
(n) Act as a Board of Appeals to hear complaints on actions taken by county boards,
commissions and departments. Procedure for appeals shall be as set forth in the
administrative code, or by resolution of the Board. No person shall be denied the
right to appeal, provided they comply with the administrative procedures
established by the Board.
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(o) Establish salaries or other compensation for the County Attorney, Assistant
County Attorneys, and all other employees, or appointees not included within the
Personnel system.
(p) Provide for reimbursement of actual expenses of food, travel, and lodging
necessary for performance of the duties of a County Commissioner, County
Councilman, county officer, county employee, or member of an appointed board
or commission.
(q) Authorize multi -jurisdictional performance of duties and functions with other
units of government, and, under procedures provided by law, cause the County to
be included within such districts consisting of two or more counties or parts
thereof as may be authorized or provided by law for the joint performance of
county functions or the performance of regional functions.
(r) Establish a municipal conference to be called by the Board of County
Commissioners not less than three times each year to which all municipal officials
shall be invited and appropriate agendas developed in order that mutual problems
be considered.
(s) Require that all inspections of whatever type made by county officers or
employees be made promptly and without unreasonable delay.
(t) Perform or exercise, or provide for the performance or exercise of, any or all
permissive functions, services, facilities and powers that may now or in the future
be authorized by law and not specifically mentioned or assigned by this Charter.
The Board shall perform or assign any mandatory duty, responsibility or function
required of the County by the laws or Constitution of the State, which may have
been omitted in this Charter.
Section 3-9. - Compensation.
(1) Compensation of members of the Board shall be fixed by the County Council.
(2) No member's compensation shall be increased or decreased during his term of office,
except as permitted by law.
n herwise set, the salar embers of the Board sha issioners
of districts - nd 3, $1 . s 00.00; and Com loner of dis 2 and Commissi • - rs a
large, $15,000.00 per year.
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Section 3-10. - Rules of Procedure.
The Board shall adopt rules of procedure governing the time, place, and conduct of its
meetings and hearings, and the introduction of and action on motions, resolutions and
ordinances. The Board may also adopt procedures for requiring attendance of its members. All
official meetings shall be open to the public, and no action shall be taken by the Board other than
at an official meeting. A record of proceedings shall be taken and preserved, and it shall be a
public record.
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Section 3-11.-'fvleetings.
(1) Regular Board meetings shall be held at Ipast wice_�o.kiyon clay Labe de - fined
by the Board by resolution(excea regular meeting may be cancelle• h o er, •y
resolution of the Board passed and publicly announced at least ten (10) days prior to
the cancelled meeting date.
(2) Special meetings shall be called by the Clerk to the Board upon the written request of
the Chairman or of any three (3) members of the Board. Each member of the Board
shall be provided at least twenty-four hours written notice of such meeting, served
personally or left at each member's usual place of residence. However, a special
meeting called as herein provided may be held on shorter notice if all members of the
Board are present or have waived notice thereof in writing. A copy of the notice of a
special meeting shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the offices of the Board at
the time such notice is given to members of the Board. No business shall be transacted
at a special meeting unless the same has been stated in the notice of such meeting.
(3) When a regular or special meeting is adjourned or recessed to a time certain, notice
of the time and place of the reconvening thereof shall be posted in a prominent place
in the offices of the Board.
Section 3-12. - Quorum.
Three of the members of the Board in office at the time shall be a quorum for the transaction
of business.
Section 3-13. - Majority Required.
Any resolution or ordinance to be adopted, amended, or repealed, shall require concurrence
of three of the members of the Board in office at the time.
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Section 3-14. - Ordinances.
(1) An ordinance may be introduced at any regular meeting by any member of the Board.
Upon introduction it shall be presented and read a first time, and public notice of the
proposed ordinance given at least ten (10) days before its second reading. If, upon
second reading, a majority of the Board approves the ordinance, public notice shall
be given a second time as a proposed ordinance, at least ten (10) days before its final
passage. Upon final adoption, public notice shall again be given.
(2) Except in case of an emergency ordinance, an ordinance shall become effective five
(5) days after its final public notice unless a later date is specified in the ordinance.
(3) Every ordinance, except a general budget ordinance, a general appropriation
ordinance, and an ordinance adopting a code by reference, shall be confined to a
single subject which shall be clearly expressed in its title.
(4) All ordinances shall be introduced in written or printed form. No ordinance shall be
amended by reference to its title only, but the revised sections of the ordinance, as
amended, shall be re-enacted in full and public notice given, except as otherwise
provided herein for amendments to codes. However, an ordinance or section thereof
may be repealed by reference to its title and ordinance or code number only.
(5) The enacting clause of all ordinances shall be: "Be it ordained by the Board of County
Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado."
(6) An ordinance which is declared therein to be an emergency ordinance may be enacted
by four -fifths vote of the Commissioners at the meeting at which it is introduced
without any requirement of prior public notice. Public notice of an emergency
ordinance shall be given forthwith after passage. The effective date of an emergency
ordinance shall be the date of its enactment unless a later date is specified in the
ordinance. An emergency ordinance shall contain a specific statement of the
emergency.
(7) The Chairman shall sign and the Clerk to the Board shall attest to all ordinances
approved by the Board. All ordinances of the County shall be indexed by subject by
the Clerk to the Board and kept in a book for that purpose which shall be a public
record.
(8) Standard codes, promulgated by the Federal Government, the State of Colorado, or
by an agency of either of them, or by any municipality within the State of Colorado,
or by recognized trade or professional organizations, or amendments or revisions
thereof, may be adopted by reference; provided the public notice of the ordinance
adopting any said code shall advise that copies thereof are available for inspection at
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the office of the Clerk of the Board, and provided that any penalty clause in said codes
may be adopted only if set forth in full in the adopting ordinance.
(9) The Board shall cause the permanent ordinances to be codified periodically. Such
codification may be of the entire body of permanent ordinances or of the ordinances
of some particular subject. Such codification may be re-enacted by reference by the
Board or may be authenticated in such manner as may be designated by ordinance.
No codification ordinance shall be invalid on the grounds that it deals with more than
one subject.
Section 3-15. - Vacancies.
(1) A vacancy in the office of County Commissioner shall be filled by appointment by
County Council.
(2) A vacancy in any other elected office, except Councilman, shall be filled by
appointment by the Board. Said appointee shall be of the same political party as that
of the previous officer, as registered as of the date of his election, and the
appointment shall be for the remainder of the term.
ARTICLE IV - DEPARTMENTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT
Section 4-1. - Departments Created.
(1) There are hereby created the Department of Finance and Administration; the
Department of Health Services; the Department of Planning Services; and the
Department of Public Works.
(2) The Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners shall be responsible for
coordination of the Department of Finance and Administration.
(3) The coordinator of each of the other departments shall be the responsibility of one of
the other Commissioners.
(4) Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, each department or division may be
administered by a director, or directors appointed by the Board of County
Commissioners, and subject to the immediate coordination of the Commissioner
responsible for the department. Each director shall be responsible within his
department, subject to the approval of the Board and the regulations of the Personnel
system, for the appointment, promotion, discipline and discharge of employees of
that department. Responsibility for coordinating the Departments of Health Services,
Planning Services and Public Works shall be rotated annually.
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(5) Each department may be divided into as many divisions as the Board of County
Commissioners may determine to be necessary or desirable. Each division may be
headed by one person responsible directly to the department director.
(6) Nothing herein shall prevent the appointment of one person as head of more than
one division.
(7) Nothing herein shall apply to the Department of Law.
(8) The Board shall organize and may reorganize the departments established by this
Charter, and assign or reassign functions and duties between departments and
divisions, and may create additional divisions.
(9) In case of reorganization or reassignment, there shall not be more than five
departments at any time (not including the Department of Law) including the
Department of Finance and Administration.
Section 4-2. - Department of Finance and Administration.
(A) The Division of Finance and Administration shall:
(1) With the assistance of the elected officials and department directors, gather together
the information necessary for the preparation of the budget, and in such form as the
Board directs, prepare a preliminary draft of the budget for the next fiscal year and
submit it to the Board by such date as the Board may direct. Such preliminary draft
shall include recommended operating expenses, capital expenditures, and revenue
sources for all departments and units of the County government, and any other
information deemed necessary.
(2) Prepare monthly financial statements, budget and appropriation reports as directed.
(3) Assist the Board in administration of the budget and in preparation of appropriation
ordinances.
(4) Establish, maintain and operate the Central Purchasing Office for the County.
Responsibilities of the Purchasing Office shall include the purchase, storage and
distribution of supplies, materials, property, equipment and inventory pursuant to
policies and procedures established by the Board and in accordance with this Charter
and the laws of the State.
(5) Exercise such additional powers and perform such additional functions and duties as
may be required by the Board.
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(6) The Division of Finance and Administration shall be under the direction of a Finance
Officer whose duties shall include the following:
(a) The County Finance Officer shall on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners
act as Chief Accounting Officer of the County and manage, supervise, coordinate
and direct the activities of the Division of Finance and Administration. He shall be
responsible to the Board of Commissioners for the proper execution,
administration and functioning of the affairs of the above described divisions of
Weld County, including the performance by the respective divisions and officers
of those functions, duties and services permitted or required by this Charter.
(b) Cause the policies adopted or approved by the Board of County Commissioners to
be implemented in those divisions as required by the Board of County
Commissioners and insure that the activities of those departments are consistent
with the policies determined and set by the Board of County Commissioners.
(c) Supervise and direct the preparation of the budget.
(d) Exercise control over purchases and expenditures and keep the Board of County
Commissioners advised of the financial condition and future needs of the County.
(B) The Division of Human Resources shall:
(1) Assist the Board in the preparation of a system of employment policies, rules, job
classification and compensation plans in accordance with generally accepted
Personnel principles.
(2) Such system shall include at least the following:
(a) Employment and promotion in the County government shall be made upon the
basis of quality, education, training, and experience necessary to carry out the
duties and responsibilities of the work to be performed.
(b) Classification and compensation according to duties and responsibilities pursuant
to adoption of a classification and pay plan which shall from time to time be
reviewed and amended by the Board as necessary.
(c) Standards of employment based on conduct and performance of work and the
procedures for creating and abolishing positions.
(d) Dismissal, disciplinary and employee grievance procedures.
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(e) An appointing or employing authority may not employ or request the employment
of any person who is related to him as spouse, parent, child, brother, sister or in-
law.
(f) No employee shall, during working hours, engage in any political activity.
(g) The official hours of all Weld County Departments shall be as established by the
Board in the Personnel Policies rules and regulations.
(h) The Personnel system shall comply with the provisions of pertinent Colorado and
Federal statutes.
(3) The Personnel Policies, rules and regulations and classification and compensation
plans may be amended by the Board.
(4) The Board of County Commissioners shall implement a Personnel system which shall
become effective no later than twelve (12) months from the effective date of this
Charter.
(5) No county employee shall lose any vested retirement benefits by reason of any
change in retirement plans.
(6) Elected officials shall make appointments to fill vacancies in their departments from
a list of names certified by the Division of Human Resources to be qualified for the
position to be filled. The elected official may interview each person on the list and
examine the qualifications and shall have the authority to reject all persons on the list,
whereupon the Division of Human Resources shall certify a new list.
Elected officials shall have direct authority over the employees in their respective
offices pursuant to the County Personnel Policies, rules, regulations, job classification
and compensation plans.
(7) All employees of the County shall be included within the provisions of the Personnel
system, except the Board may, in its discretion, exclude the employees of certain
divisions, and except the undersheriff and chief deputy of each elected official,
temporary employees, advisors, and consultants retained by contract, the County
Attorney and Assistant County Attorneys, and except as otherwise provided by law.
(8) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint an appeals board to which an
employee may appeal his dismissal, suspension, demotion, or other grievance.
(a) The number of members, term, and qualifications of the appeals board shall be
set forth by the Personnel Policies, rules and regulations.
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(b) The procedures for appeal shall be outlined in the Personnel Policies, rules and
regulations.
(C) The Department of Finance and Administration shall contain such other divisions as may
from time to time be established by the Board, and shall perform such functions and
duties as may from time to time be assigned or reassigned to it.
Section 4-3. - Department of Health Services.
(A) Division of Public Health.
(1) The Director of Public Health shall be appointed by the Board upon consultation with
the Board of Health.
(2) The Director of Public Health shall:
(a) Have all powers and duties now provided or as hereafter provided by State law for
health departments in Colorado.
(b) Direct supervision of the Environmental Health Services.
(c) Cooperate and work jointly with the Commissioner assigned to the Department of
Health Services on all county health related activities.
(d) Make recommendations to the Board for the purpose of helping to eliminate and
avoid the duplication of services in county health related areas.
(e) Evaluate all health programs that affect Weld County.
(f) Cooperate with the Commissioner assigned to the Department of Health Services,
in order to plan, cooperate and contract with other county health agencies so that
all programs benefit from the combined use of facilities and staff.
(g) Work with regional, state and federal authorities relating to public health programs
in Weld County.
(h) Report at least annually to the Board on all matters set forth above.
(i) Perform such functions and duties as the Board shall direct.
(3) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint a Board of Public Health consisting of
nine persons. Such board shall be chosen as follows:
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(a) The Board of County Commissioners shall determine six geographic areas and
appoint one member from each of the geographic areas. Each member shall reside
within the geographic area for which he is appointed at the time of his
appointment and during his term.
(b) Three members shall be appointed from the County at large.
(c) The geographic boundaries may be adjusted from time to time by the Board of
County Commissioners.
(d) The term of office shall be for three years, said terms to be staggered so that two
members from geographic areas and one member at large are appointed each
year. The Board of Commissioners shall make the initial appointments for one,
two and three years, in order to initiate the staggered terms. No person shall serve
more than two consecutive terms as a member.
(4) The Board of Public Health shall adopt by-laws which shall state the purposes of the
Board and shall at least:
(a) Provide for the selection of its officers, and for appointment of standing and
special committees necessary to affect the discharge of its responsibilities.
(b) Provide for the adoption of a schedule of meetings and attendance requirements.
(c) Require that minutes be kept of the Board of Public Health deliberations and
decisions.
(d) Require five members constitute a quorum.
(e) Provide for studying county health programs and direct their implementation in
cooperation with the Director of Public Health and the Board of County
Commissioners.
(B) Hospital Division.
(1) Except as provided herein, the administration of Weld County General Hospital shall
remain as provided by law and the rules and regulations of the Board of Trustees, and
they shall be directly responsible to the Board of County Commissioners.
(2) Members of the Hospital Board of Trustees shall be appointed for three-year terms
and no person shall serve more than two consecutive terms.
(3) The County Attorney shall represent and advise the Board of Trustees.
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(C) Other Divisions.
The Department of Health Services shall contain such other divisions as may from time to
time be established by the Board, and shall perform such functions and duties as may from
time to time be assigned or reassigned to it.
Section 4-4. - Department of Planning Services.
(A) Division of Planning, Zoning and Inspection.
(1) A director of the Department of Planning Services shall be appointed by the Board
upon consultation with the Planning Commission.
(2) The Director of Planning Services shall:
(a) Be responsible for the administration and coordination of the Planning, Zoning
and Inspection Divisions.
(b) Subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the Planning Commission:
(i) supervise the issuance of all building permits.
(ii) direct and coordinate the activities of the building, electrical and plumbing
inspections.
(c) Coordinate activities between the Board of Adjustment and the Planning
Commission and provide the necessary liaison personnel to work with the Board
of Adjustment.
(d) Coordinate the activities assigned to the Planning Commission affecting the
County in connection with the Regional Council of Governments.
(e) Be responsible for planning and coordinating of all county parks and recreational
facilities.
(f) Perform such functions and duties as the Board shall direct.
(3) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint a Planning Commission consisting
of nine persons. Such commission shall be chosen as follows:
(a) The Board of County Commissioners shall determine six geographic areas and
appoint one member from each of the geographic areas. Each member shall reside
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within the geographic area for which he is appointed at the time of his
appointment and during his term.
(b) Three members shall be appointed from the County at large.
(c) The geographic boundaries may be adjusted from time to time by the Board of
County Commissioners.
(d) The term of office shall be for three years, said terms to be staggered so that two
members from each geographic area and one member at large are appointed each
year. The Board of County Commissioners shall make the initial appointments for
one, two and three years, in order to initiate the staggered term. No person shall
serve more than two consecutive terms as a member.
(4) The Planning Commission:
(a) Shall act and decide on all petitions and applications submitted to it pursuant to
law or regulation.
(b) Shall perform such functions and duties as shall be provided by law and as shall be
directed by the Board.
(c) All decisions of the Planning Commission shall be subject to appeal and review by
the Board in accordance with State law and the rules and regulations established
by the Board.
(d) Applications for rezoning shall be referred to the Board in accordance with the
State law and the rules and regulations of the Board.
(e) No utility transmission system shall be constructed until the entity developing
such system shall have made application to the Weld County Planning Commission
pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Planning Commission and until such
utility system has been approved by the Board. Prior acquisition of utility
transmission easements and rights -of -way shall not be considered by the Planning
Commission or Board.
(f) The Planning Commission shall establish rules and regulations covering
applications for utility transmission easement systems and hearings thereon. The
application shall include all information required by the Board including
environmental and economic impact statements.
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(g) The Planning Commission shall make its recommendation to the Board as to
whether an application for a transmission utility system should be granted or
denied and the Board shall make a final determination.
(5) The Planning Commission shall adopt by-laws which shall state the purposes of the
Commission and shall at least:
(a) Provide for the selection of its officers, and for appointment of standing and
special committees necessary to affect the discharge of its responsibilities.
(b) Provide for the adoption of a schedule of meetings, including at least one meeting
per month, and attendance requirements.
(c) Require that minutes be kept of the Planning Commission deliberations and
decisions.
(d) Require five members to constitute a quorum.
(B) Board of Adjustment.
The Board of Adjustment shall consist of five regular members, appointed in the same
manner and for the same terms as the Planning Commission. Associate members may be
appointed to act in the absence of regular members at regular and special meetings. The
Board of Adjustment shall perform such functions and duties as are provided by law. The
concurring vote of four members of the Board of Adjustment shall be necessary to reverse
any order, requirement, decision, or determination of an administrative official or agency or
to decide in favor of an appellant, except that the concurring vote of only three members
shall be necessary to grant a variance from the strict application of regulations adopted
pursuant to the County's zoning authority.
(C) The Department of Planning Services.
The Department of Planning Services shall contain such other divisions as may from time
to time be established by the Board, and shall perform such functions and duties as may from
time to time be assigned or reassigned to it.
Section 4-5. - Department of Public Works.
(1) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint the director of the Department of
Public Works who may be known as the County Engineer. The County Engineer shall
be licensed, or shall be eligible for license, as a registered professional engineer in the
State of Colorado.
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(2) The County Engineer shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and
duties now required or that may hereafter be required by State law to be exercised
or performed by the County Surveyor.
(3) The County Engineer shall perform such functions and duties as the Board shall direct.
(4) The Department of Public Works shall contain such divisions as may from time to time
be established by the Board, and shall perform such functions and duties as may from
time to time be assigned or reassigned to it.
Section 4-6. - Department of Communications Services. (Deleted November 3, 2009)
ARTICLE V - DEPARTMENT OF LAW
Section 5-1. - County Attorney — Appointment.
(1) There shall be a Department of Law, the director of which shall be known as the
County Attorney. He shall be appointed by the Board for an indefinite term and his
employment may be terminated by majority vote of the Board.
(2) The office of County Attorney shall be the primary employment of the County
Attorney and he shall have no other employment as an attorney.
(3) The Board may appoint such Assistant County Attorneys as it deems necessary subject
to the same term and limitations as the County Attorney.
Section 5-2. - Qualifications.
The County Attorney shall be a resident of the County of Weld and duly licensed as an
attorney by the State of Colorado for at least five (5) years immediately prior to his appointment,
and shall have been actively engaged in the practice of law during such five years.
Section 5-3. - Duties.
(1) The Department of Law shall exercise all legal and administrative functions of the
County government assigned by law or the Board to the County Attorney.
(2) The County Attorney shall act as legal advisor for the Board and all departments and
divisions of county government.
(3) The County Attorney shall, upon request of elective county officers, issue formal
written opinions on questions of law, which shall be maintained by the County as
public documents.
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(4) When directed by the Board, the County Attorney shall represent the County, county
officers, county employees, and appointed boards and commissions and their
members in suits, actions and other legal proceedings.
(5) In the event of conflict between the Board and any other county officer, such county officer
shall be represented by the Weld County District Attorney.
Section 5-4. - Special Counsel.
The Board may appoint special counsel for the purpose of making investigations and
representing the County in suits by and against the County, its officers, or its agencies.
Employment of special counsel shall be by written contract which shall set forth the purpose and
terms of employment and compensation therefore.
ARTICLE VI - ELECTIVE OFFICERS
Section 6-1. - Elective Officers.
The Elective Officers of the County of Weld, Colorado, shall be five County Commissioners;
five County Councilmen; one County Clerk, one County Sheriff; one County Coroner; one County
Treasurer; and one County Assessor. The salary or compensation, term of office and
qualifications of such officers shall be as provided in this Charter. Notwithstanding the foregoing
or any other provision of this Charter to the contrary, effective January 1, 2003, the Coroner shall
be appointed and the office operated in accordance with the terms of Article IV §4.1(4) of this
Charter. Such appointment shall be subject to the rules established in the personnel system
described in Article IV §4-2B(2) of this Charter. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other
provision of this Charter to the contrary, effective January 1, 2003, the Treasurer shall be
appointed and the office operated in accordance with the terms of Article IV §4.1(4) of this
Charter. Such appointment shall be subject to the rules established in the personnel system
described in Article IV §4-2B(2) of this Charter.
Section 6-2. - Oath of Office.
Before entering upon the duties of his office, every officer designated by this Charter shall
take, subscribe, and file with the County Clerk, an oath or affirmation that he will support the
Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Colorado, this Charter and the
ordinances of the County of Weld, Colorado, and will faithfully perform the duties of this office.
Section 6-3. - Vacancy.
Vacancies in elective offices, except County Commissioners and County Councilmen, shall be
filled by the Board as provided by this Charter.
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Section 6-4. - Term of Office.
(1) The term of office of each elected office shall commence on the first working day of
the year, immediately following the general election at which he is elected, and shall
be for four years.
(2) The term of office of each elected office shall continue until a successor is elected and
qualified.
(3) A person appointed to complete a term for a vacant elected office shall not be
required to run for election during such term. A term completed by an appointee shall
not be considered a "full term" for the purposes of determining limitation on the
number of consecutive terms of office the appointee is able to serve.
Section 6-5. - Qualifications.
(1) All elected officers shall be qualified electors of the County.
(2) All elected officers shall have resided in the County for a consecutive period of not
less than one (1) year immediately preceding election.
(3) All elected officers shall be at least twenty-one (21) years of age before assuming
office.
(4) Except for County Councilmen, each county office shall be the primary employment
of the officer during the term for which he is elected or appointed.
Section 6-6. - Compensation.
(1) Compensation of all elected officers, except County Councilmen, shall be fixed by the
County Council.
(2) No elective officer's compensation shall be increased or decreased during his term of
office, except as permitted by law.
ARTICLE VII - COUNTY ASSESSOR
Section 7-1. - Bond.
The County Assessor shall execute to the people of the State of Colorado, and file in the office
of the County Clerk, a bond, as provided by this Charter and approved by the Board. The sureties
shall be responsible for the acts of the County Assessor and his deputies.
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Section 7-2. - Duties.
(1) The County Assessor shall appoint a Chief Deputy to act in his absence, disability, or
in case of a vacancy in the office, and such Chief Deputy shall perform all the duties of
County Assessor during such absence or until such vacancy shall be filled.
(2) The County Assessor may appoint such other deputies as may be necessary or
required to carry out the duties of the office.
(3) The County Assessor shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and
duties now required or that may hereafter be required by State law to be exercised
or performed by the County Assessor.
(4) The County Assessor may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers,
and provide such services and facilities as may be authorized by law.
Section 7-3. - Qualifications of Chief Deputy.
The Chief Deputy shall have attended and passed the Colorado Tax Assessor's school, or an
equivalent thereof, and shall have had a minimum of five years' experience in reading and
platting legal descriptions, the application of the mill levy to property assessment, and the
application of the assessment rolls to the computer.
Section 7-4. - Terms of Office.
No person shall serve more than three full consecutive terms as Assessor.
ARTICLE VIII - COUNTY CLERK
Section 8-1. - Bond.
The County Clerk shall execute to the people of the State of Colorado, and file in the office of
the County Clerk, a bond, as provided by this Charter and approved by the Board. The sureties
shall be responsible for the acts of the County Clerk and his deputies.
Section 8-2. - Duties.
(1) The County Clerk shall appoint a Chief Deputy to act in his absence, disability, or in
case of a vacancy in the office, and such Chief Deputy shall perform all the duties of
County Clerk during such absence or until such vacancy shall be filled.
(2) The County Clerk may appoint such other deputies as may be necessary or required
to carry out the duties of the office.
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(3) The County Clerk shall be custodian of a Seal of Office which shall constitute evidence
of authority to perform the acts of office as provided for by law.
(4) The County Clerk shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties
now required or that may hereafter be required by State law to be exercised or
performed by the County Clerk.
(5) The County Clerk may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers, and
provide such services and facilities as may be authorized by law, for County Clerks
except for those functions and powers assigned to the Clerk to the Board under
Section 3-7 of Article Ill of this Charter.
Section 8-3. - Terms of Office.
No person shall serve more than three full consecutive terms as Clerk and Recorder.
ARTICLE IX - COUNTY CORONER
Section 9-1. - Duties.
(1) The County Coroner shall appoint a Chief Deputy to act in his absence, disability, or in
case of a vacancy in the office, and such Chief Deputy shall perform all of the duties
of County Coroner during such absence or until such vacancy be filled.
(2) The County Coroner may appoint such other deputies as maybe necessary or required
to carry out the duties of the office.
(3) The County Coroner shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties
now required or that may hereafter be required by State law to be exercised or
performed by the County Coroner.
(4) The County Coroner may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers,
and provide such services as may be authorized by law, for County Coroners.
ARTICLE X - COUNTY SHERIFF
Section 10-1. - Qualifications.
The County Sheriff shall be a graduate of a certified law enforcement academy or institution
requiring at least 90 quarter (60 semester) credit hours for graduation; or have had a minimum
of five years' experience as an administrator in law enforcement at the rank of Sergeant, or
above.
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Section 10-2. - Bond.
The County Sheriff shall execute to the people of the State of Colorado, and file in the office
of the County Clerk, a bond, as provided by this Charter and approved by the Board. The sureties
shall be responsible for the acts of the County Sheriff, the Undersheriff, and his deputies.
Section 10-3. - Duties.
(1) The County Sheriff shall appoint an Undersheriff, who shall also be a general deputy,
to serve during the pleasure of the Sheriff.
(2) The County Sheriff may appoint such other deputies as may be necessary or required
to carry out the duties of the office.
(3) The County Sheriff shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties
now required or that may hereafter be required by State law to be exercised or
performed by the County Sheriff.
(4) The County Sheriff may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers,
and provide such services and facilities as may be authorized by law.
(5) The County Sheriff shall provide such law enforcement services to incorporated
municipalities as may be provided for by service contract or joint agreement between
the Board and a municipality.
Section 10-4. - Qualifications of Undersheriff.
(1) The Undersheriff shall have an Associate of Arts Degree, or its equivalent, in Police
Science, Police Administration, or in some related field.
(2) The Undersheriff shall have had at least five years law enforcement experience
including substantial administrative and personnel experience.
(3) The Sheriff shall determine that the Undersheriff meets the above qualifications.
Section 10-5. - Duties of Undersheriff.
(1) In the case of the absence, disability, or in event of a vacancy in the office of County
Sheriff, the Undersheriff shall perform all the duties of County Sheriff during such
absence or until such vacancy shall be filled.
(2) The Undersheriff shall perform such other duties as may be directed by the County
Sheriff.
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Section 10-6. - Jailer — County not Furnish Residence.
The County shall not be required to furnish the Sheriff, as keeper of the jail, nor any deputy
appointed for that purpose, with living quarters. This shall not relieve the Sheriff of his duty to
safely keep all prisoners committed to his custody according to law.
Section 10-7. - Terms of Office.
No person shall serve more than three full consecutive terms as Sheriff.
ARTICLE XI - COUNTY TREASURER
Section 11-1. - Bond.
The County Treasurer shall execute to the people of the State of Colorado, and file in the
office of the County Clerk, a bond, as provided by this Charter and approved by the Board. The
sureties shall be responsible for the acts of the County Treasurer and his deputies.
Section 11-2. - Duties.
(1) The County Treasurer shall appoint a Chief Deputy to act in his absence, disability, or
in case of a vacancy in the office, and such Chief Deputy shall perform all the duties of
County Treasurer during such absence or until such vacancy shall be filled.
(2) The County Treasurer may appoint such other deputies as may be necessary or
required to carry out the duties of the office.
(3) The County Treasurer shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and
duties now required or that may hereafter be required by State law to be exercised
or performed by the County Treasurer.
(4) The County Treasurer may exercise those discretionary county functions and powers,
and provide such services as may be authorized by law.
Section 11-3. - Qualifications of Chief Deputy.
The Chief Deputy shall have had a minimum of five years investment experience in handling
investments, of the type handled in the office of the County Treasurer.
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Section 11-4. - Investment of Funds.
(1) The County Treasurer shall, with prudence, deposit available funds in accordance with
the statutes of the State of Colorado giving preference to Weld County financial
institutions.
(2) All interest from county funds shall become a part of the General fund, except that
interest from particular funds may, by resolution of the Board, be retained in such
fund.
ARTICLE XII - OFFICE OF COUNTY SURVEYOR ABOLISHED
Section 12-1. - Office of County Surveyor Abolished.
Upon adoption of this Charter, the office of County Surveyor shall be abolished, effective
January 1, 1976.
Section 12-2. - Transfer of Duties.
The County Engineer shall exercise all of the powers and perform all the acts and duties now
required or that may hereafter be required by State law to be exercised or performed by the
County Surveyor.
Section 12-3. - Existing Property and Records.
All property, records, equipment and supplies of the office of County Surveyor, wherever
located, existing when this Charter becomes effective, shall be transferred as directed by the
Board.
ARTICLE XIII - COUNTY COUNCIL
Section 13-1. - Composition.
The County Council shall consist of five members elected as follows:
(1) Three members, each nominated, elected and residing in separate geographic
districts as established in Article III, Section 3-2 of this Charter.
(2) Two members, each nominated and elected from the County at large.
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Section 13-2. - Qualifications of Members.
(1) Councilmen from districts shall reside within their geographic districts when
nominated, elected or appointed and during their terms of office.
(2) Councilmen shall not hold any other county elective office and shall not be a county
employee.
Section 13-3. - Terms of Office.
(1) The terms of office of County Councilmen shall commence on the first working day of
the year immediately following the general election at which they are elected and
shall be for four years.
(2) The term of office of a Councilman shall continue until his successor is elected and
qualified.
(3) No person shall serve more than three full consecutive terms as a Councilman.
Section 13-4. - Organization.
(1) At its first meeting in January each year, the Council shall elect, from among its
members, a President, who shall preside over its meetings, and a Vice President, who
shall preside in absence of the President.
(2) The Council shall adopt rules of procedure governing the time, place and conduct of
its meetings and hearings, and the introduction of and action on motions and
resolutions. The Council may also adopt procedures for requiring attendance of its
members. All official meetings shall be open to the public, and no action shall be taken
by the Council other than at an official meeting. A record of proceedings shall be taken
and preserved, and it shall be a public record.
(3) Regular meetings shall be held at least monthly on a day or days to be determined by
the Council by resolution. Special meetings may be called by the President. A copy of
the notice of a meeting shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the offices of the
Board of County Commissioners at the time such notice is given to members of the
Council.
Section 13-5. - Quorum — Majority — Action.
(1) Three of the members of the Council in office at the time shall be a quorum for the
transaction of business, but in the absence of a quorum, a lesser number may adjourn
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any meeting to a later time or date, and in the absence of all other members the
President may adjourn any meeting for not longer than one week.
(2) Any resolution to be adopted, amended, or repealed, or any other action of the
Council shall require concurrence of three of the members of the Council in office at
the time.
(3) All official action taken by the Council shall be announced by the President or, in his
absence, by the Vice -President, and all official communications of the Council whether
oral or written, shall be made by the President or, in his absence, by the Vice -
President.
Section 13-6. - Compensation.
A Councilman shall receive no compensation for his services, but shall be reimbursed for
actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of his official duties.
Section 13-7. - Vacancies.
(1) A vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the remaining members of the Council.
(2) A vacancy shall exist when a Councilman dies, resigns, is removed from office, moves
from the district from which elected, is incapacitated, recalled, or becomes a
candidate for a county elected office or an employee of the County, or when no
person has been elected to the position of Councilman.
Section 13-8. - Powers and Duties.
(1) The Council shall set the salaries of all elected officials. In the case of the Board of
County Commissioners, the effective date of any change in salary may be delayed so
as to provide for equal compensation for all Commissioners at all times.
(2) The Council may employ a secretary and such other employees, permanent and
temporary, as it may require, pursuant to the County Personnel system.
(3) A vacancy in the Board of County Commissioners shall be filled by appointment by the
Council. Said appointees shall be of the same political party as that of the previous
officer, as registered as of the date of his election, and the appointment shall be
effective for the remainder of the term.
(4) In the event a valid petition for recall is presented as provided in Article XV, the Council
may suspend the officer being recalled, with pay, pending the recall election. In the
event the Council suspends such officer, the Council may appoint some qualified
28
person to perform the duties of the office pending the recall election. In the event the
officer is not recalled, he shall be immediately reinstated.
(5) In the event an elected official is formally charged or indicted for the commission of a
crime, the Council may suspend such officer, with or without pay, pending
prosecution of the offense. The Council may suspend the officer without pay after
notice and hearing by the Council to afford such officer the opportunity to address
the facts and allegations set forth in the charge or indictment. If an elected officer is
found guilty of any crime by a court or jury, the Council shall immediately suspend
such officer without pay until his conviction shall become final and he has exhausted,
or by failure to assert them, has waived all rights to new trial and all rights of appeal.
At the time such officer's conviction is final, the office shall be vacant and the vacancy
filled as herein provided.
Should the officer be suspended from office by the Council, as provided in this Section,
be found not guilty in a State and Federal Court, either on appeal, original trial, or new
trial, the officer shall be reinstated to the current term of office and he shall receive
his back pay, unless, during such period of suspension, a successor to such suspended
officer has been duly elected and qualified. In the event a successor to such suspended
officer has been so elected and qualified, such suspended officer shall receive his back
pay only up to the expiration date of his regular term of office and he shall not be
reinstated or paid further unless he is such person duly elected and qualified.
(6) The Council shall review all aspects of county government and shall make such
periodic reports to the people relating to expenditures, efficiency, responsiveness,
adherence to statutes, laws and regulations, and other matters as the Council deems
advisable. Such report or reports shall be in such form as the Council shall determine
and shall be filed with the Board of County Commissioners and copies furnished to all
elected officers.
(7) For the purposes of assisting the Council in carrying out the duties set forth in
paragraph (6) above, the Council may appoint a performance auditor who shall be
responsible solely to the Council. The Council shall determine his qualifications and
compensation. He shall serve at the pleasure of the Council. The office of performance
auditor need not be a permanent position, but the office may be filled by the Council
as it deems necessary.
Section 13-9. - Nomination of Councilmen.
(1) Candidates for Councilmen shall be nominated without regard to political party
affiliation, by petition on forms supplied by the County Clerk. A petition of nomination
may consist of one or more sheets, but it shall contain the name and address of only
one candidate. The petition may designate one or more persons as a committee to fill
a vacancy in such nomination.
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(2) Nomination petitions may be circulated and signed beginning on the one hundred and
twenty-fifth (125 th) day and ending on the seventy-fifth (75 th) day prior to the day of
the election. Each petition shall be signed by qualified electors to the following
numbers:
(a) For a candidate in the Council at large, at least one hundred (100) qualified
electors residing within the County;
(b) For a candidate from a geographic district, at least one hundred (100) qualified
electors residing in the candidate's district.
(3) Each qualified elector signing a petition shall add to his signature his place of residence
by street and number, rural route and box number or other customary designation,
except that a post office box number shall be insufficient. The circulator of each
nomination petition shall make an affidavit that each signature thereon is the
signature of the person whose name it purports to be and that each signer has stated
to the circulator that he is a qualified elector of the County or county and district, as
the case may be, for which the nomination is made. The signature of each signer of a
petition shall constitute prima facie evidence of his qualifications without the
requirement that each signer make an affidavit as to his qualifications.
(4) No petition shall be valid that does not contain the requisite number of names of
electors qualified to sign the petition. Any such petition may be amended in this
respect at any time prior to seventy-five days before the day of election.
(5) An elector may sign more than one nomination petition.
(6) Each nomination petition shall be filed with the County Clerk no later than the
seventy-fifth day prior to the day of election. Every such petition shall have endorsed
thereon or appended thereto the written affidavit of the candidate accepting such
nomination. The acceptance of nomination shall contain the full name and place of
residence of the candidate.
(7) The County Clerk shall cause all nomination petitions to be preserved for a period of
two years. All such petitions shall be open to public inspection under proper
regulation by the Clerk.
(8) Procedure for withdrawal shall be as follows:
Any person who has been nominated and who has accepted a nomination may cause
his name to be withdrawn from such nomination, at any time prior to sixty-five days
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before election, by a written affidavit withdrawing from such nomination. The
affidavit stating withdrawal shall be signed by the candidate and filed with the Clerk.
(9) Objections to nominations. All petitions of nomination which are in apparent
conformity with the provisions of this Section, as determined by the Clerk, are valid
unless objection thereto is duly made in writing within three days after the filing of
the same. In case objection is made, notice thereof shall be forthwith mailed to any
candidate who may be affected thereby. The Clerk shall pass upon the validity of all
objections, whether of form or substance, and his decisions upon matters of form
shall be final. His decisions upon matters of substance shall be open to judicial review.
Said Clerk shall decide objections within at least forty-eight hours after the same are
filed, and any objections sustained may be remedied or defect cured upon the original
petition, by an amendment thereto, or by filing a new petition within three days after
such objection is sustained, but in no event later than the sixtieth day before the day
of election.
ARTICLE XIV - FINANCE AND BUDGET
Section 14-1. - Fiscal Year.
The fiscal year of the County shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31 of each
year, unless otherwise established by State law for home rule counties.
Section 14-2. - Annual Budget.
(1) The director of the Department of Finance and Administration shall prepare a
recommended budget for the next fiscal year and submit it to the Board. Such budget
shall include recommended operating expenses, capital expenditures, and revenue
sources for all departments and units of the County government, and any other
information deemed necessary.
(2) The Board shall hold at least one public hearing on the proposed budget. Public notice
of such hearings shall be given at least ten days prior to the date thereof stating the
time and place of the hearings and indicating that the proposed budget is available
for inspection in the office of the Clerk to the Board during regular office hours, and
that any interested person may file or register any objections thereto at any time prior
to the final adoption of the budget.
(3) Following the public hearing or hearings, the Board may revise or alter the proposed
budget or increase or decrease any item therein. The Board shall then adopt the
budget together with any amendments thereto, in accordance with the requirements
of State law. The Board shall also adopt an ordinance appropriating funds for the
ensuing fiscal year and shall certify the taxes to be levied as provided by law.
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(4) The Board may adopt emergency appropriations upon declaration that an unforeseen
disaster or emergency exists. Such appropriations shall be funded from contingency
or other available funds, or as otherwise permitted by State law.
(5) Except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of State law concerning adoption
of budgets and appropriation of funds by local governments shall govern the
procedures of the Board.
Section 14-3. - Capital Improvements Program and Budget.
The Board may require that the Director of Finance and Administration submit, at the time of
submission of the annual budget, a five-year capital improvements program and budget. Such
program shall include recommended projects, construction schedule, estimate of costs,
anticipated revenue sources, methods of financing, and such other information as may be
required.
Section 14-4. - Audits.
The Board shall provide for an independent annual audit of all county accounts and funds,
and more frequent audits as deemed necessary. Such audits shall be made by a certified public
accountant selected by the Board. The same auditor or auditing firm shall not be retained for
more than five consecutive years. The audit shall be available for inspection by the public in the
office of the Clerk to the Board.
Section 14-5. - Funds.
Funds shall be established as directed by the Board, pursuant to the provisions of State law.
Section 14-6. - Long -Term Financing.
The incurring of indebtedness by the County and the issuance of evidences of such
indebtedness shall be authorized, made and executed in accordance with the laws of the State,
including the borrowing of money to fund county projects, the pledging of project revenues in
repayment thereof, and the issuance of revenue warrants, revenue bonds or other forms of
evidence of such obligations.
Section 14-7. - Limitation on Annual Tax Levy.
(1) Limitation. Except as otherwise provided herein, all ad valorem tax levies for county
purposes, when applied to the total valuation for assessment of the County, shall be
reduced so as to prohibit the levying of a greater amount of tax revenue than was
levied from ad valorem taxation in the preceding year plus five percent (5%) except
to provide for the payment of bonds and interest thereon.
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(2) Increased levy; procedure.
(a) If the Board be of the opinion, the amount of tax limited by the preceding Section
will be insufficient for the County needs for the current year, it may submit the
question of an increased levy to the County Council, and the County Council shall
examine the needs of the County and ascertain from such examination the
financial condition thereof, and if in the opinion of a majority of the County
Council that the County is in need of additional funds, the Council may grant an
increased levy for the County in such amount as it deems appropriate, and the
County is authorized to make such increased levy. However, no such excess levy
shall be granted which will allow a greater revenue than would be produced by
applying the previous year mill levy to the current year's assessed valuation.
(b) In case the County Council refuses or fails within fifteen (15) days after submission
to it of an adopted budget to grant such increased levy, or all of it, or in the event
an increase beyond. that which the Council is authorized to grant is sought, the
question may be submitted to the qualified electors of the County at a general or
special election called for that purpose.
(c) Due notice of submission of the question of whether to grant the increased levy
shall be given by the County Clerk for at least thirty (30) days in advance of the
date set for the general or special election by giving a public notice as provided
herein. If a majority of the votes cast at any such election is in favor of the
increased levy as named in said election notice, then the County may make such
increased levy.
(d) In the event such increase shall be voted by the electors under the preceding
subsections, the increased revenue resulting therefrom shall be included in
determining the five percent (5%) limitation in the following year.
Section 14-8. - Limitation of Capital Expenditures.
Any one project, except hospital projects, requiring a capital expenditure out of funds
procured by ad valorem taxation equal to a three mill levy for three years, or a hospital project
requiring a capital expenditure from ad valorem tax funds equal to a three mill levy for three
years, shall be prohibited until such time as the question of expenditure of said funds shall have
been first submitted to a vote of the qualified electors at a general or special election and shall
have received a majority vote approving such expenditure.
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Section 14-9. - Bidding - Procedure.
(1) The Board of County Commissioners shall adopt bidding procedures for county
purchases which shall assure open and competitive bidding on all county purchases,
and the Central Purchasing Division shall follow the procedures adopted in all county
purchases.
(2) Bid specifications shall be prepared in such a manner as to invite and encourage
bidding from all suppliers of the goods and equipment being purchased by the County.
No specifications shall be submitted to bidders so restrictive in detail as to eliminate
any line of competitive equipment.
(3) The County Commissioners shall give preference to resident Weld County bidders in
all cases where the bids are competitive in price and quality.
(4) The County Commissioners shall enter in the minutes of the meeting, at which a
purchase is made for other than a low bid, the reason for not accepting the low bid.
(5) All purchases in excess of an amount to be set annually by the Board of County
Commissioners by ordinance shall be by written, sealed bid and bids over the amount
set annually by ordinance by the Board of County Commissioners shall be followed by
a ten-day period for consideration and investigation of the bids submitted to
determine comparisons of quality and price. The ten-day waiting period may be
waived by resolution of the Board for emergency purchases. The Commissioners shall
accept the bid they find to be most beneficial to the County.
ARTICLE XV - ELECTIONS
Section 15-1. - General Elections.
Except as otherwise provided in this Charter, elected officers of the County shall be
nominated and elected pursuant to State law at general elections.
Section 15-2. - Special Elections.
Special elections shall be called by resolution of the Board and conducted in accordance with
the provisions of State law.
Section 15-3. - Recall.
Any elected officer may be recalled from office at any time. Once an election on recall has
been held, no other election on recall of that same officer may be held for at least one year. The
procedure for recall shall be as follows:
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(1) One or more qualified electors shall file with the Clerk an affidavit of not more than
two hundred words stating the reasons for requesting the recall. The Clerk shall,
within forty-eight hours after the filing of said affidavit, mail a copy of the affidavit by
certified mail to the officer sought to be recalled who may, within five days of receipt
of said affidavit, file with the Clerk, a sworn statement of not more than two hundred
words in justification of his course in office. After receipt of the statement in defense,
if any, but in no event later than ten days after filing a copy of the affidavit to the
officer, the Clerk shall issue a petition for recall.
(2) Said petition shall include the statement of reasons for requesting recall and the
officer's statement of justification if there be such a statement. Said petition must be
signed by qualified electors numbering at least fifteen percent (15%) of the total
number of votes cast for that particular office in the last preceding election within the
district from which the officer was elected or within the County in the case of an office
elected at large.
(3) Each signer of a petition shall sign his name, and after his name, the date and his place
of residence by street and number, rural route and box number, or other customary
designation, except that a post office box number shall be insufficient.
(4) The signed recall petition shall be filed with the Clerk within sixty days after issuance.
If said petition is filed within the time specified and appears to be sufficient, the Board
shall set a date for a recall election to be held within sixty days, unless a general
election or a special election will be held within one hundred twenty (120) days
following the filing of the petition, in which event the recall election may be held at
the time of the general or special election. To each petition paper shall be attached
an affidavit by the circulator thereof, stating the number of signers and affirming that
each signature is the genuine signature of the person whose name it purports to be,
and that it was made in the presence of the affiant and that each signer has stated to
the circulator that he is a qualified elector of the County.
(5) All petitions shall be deemed and held to be sufficient if they appear to be signed by
the requisite number of signers, and such signer shall be deemed and held to be a
qualified elector, unless a protest in writing under oath shall be filed in the office of
the Clerk by some qualified elector, within fifteen days after such petition is filed,
setting forth specifically the grounds of such protest. In the event of such protest, the
Clerk shall forthwith mail a copy to the person or persons named in such petition as
representing the signers thereof, together with a notice fixing a time for hearing such
protest which hearing shall not be less than five nor more than ten days after such
notice is mailed. All hearings shall be before the Clerk, and all testimony shall be under
oath. Such hearings shall be summary and not subject to delay, and must be
concluded within thirty (30) days after such petition is filed, and the results thereof
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shall be forthwith certified to the person or persons representing the signers of such
petition.
(6) In case the petition is not sufficient it may be withdrawn by the persons or a majority
of the persons representing the signers of such petition, and may, within fifteen (15)
days thereafter, be amended and refiled as an original petition. The finding as to the
sufficiency of any petition may be reviewed by the District Court of Weld County, upon
application of any person signing such petition, but such review shall be had and
determined forthwith.
(7) There shall be printed on the official ballot, as to every officer whose recall is to be
voted on, the words, "Shall (name of the person against whom recall petition is filed)
be retained in the office of (title of office)." The ballot shall provide for a "yes" or "no"
vote.
(8) If a majority of those voting on said question of the recall of any incumbent from office
shall vote "yes", said incumbent shall continue in said office; if a majority shall vote
"no", such incumbent shall thereupon be deemed removed and the vacancy shall be
filled as provided in this Charter.
Section 15-4. - Initiative and Referendum.
The people of Weld County reserve to themselves the powers of initiative and referendum,
by petition, to have a law, proposed law, or amendment of a law, submitted for the registered
voters of the County to approve or reject at the polls. An ordinance or resolution may be initiated
by petition, or a referendum on an enacted ordinance or resolution may be had by petition, or
the Board on its own motion in enacting an ordinance or resolution may provide for a referendum
thereon.
The referendum shall apply to all ordinances and resolutions, passed by the Board, except
ordinances making the tax levy, making the annual appropriation, calling a special election or
ordering improvements initiated by petition and to be paid for by special assessments. Measures
passed as emergency measures shall be subject to referendum like other measures, except that
they shall not be suspended from going into effect while referendum proceedings are pending.
If, when submitted to a vote of the electors, an emergency measure be not approved by a
majority of those voting thereon, it shall be considered repealed, as regards any further action
thereunder and all rights and privileges conferred by it shall be null and void; provided, however,
that such measure so repealed shall be deemed sufficient authority for any payment made or
expense incurred in accordance with the measure previous to the referendum vote thereon.
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(1) Procedure.
(a) An initiative or referendum petition shall be signed by qualified electors
numbering at least five percent (5%) of the total vote at the last general election,
and all signatures on said petition shall be obtained within 45 days prior to the
date of filing of the petition with the Clerk. Any such petition shall be addressed
to the Board and may be an aggregate of two or more petition papers identical as
to content and simultaneously filed by one person.
(b) An initiative petition shall set forth, in full, the ordinance or resolution it proposes
to initiate and no petition shall propose to initiate more than one ordinance or
resolution. A referendum petition shall identify the ordinance or resolution, or
part thereof, it proposes to be submitted to the voters for approval.
(c) Each signer of a petition shall sign his name, and after his name, the date and his
place of residence by street and number, rural route and box number, or by other
customary designation, except that a post office box number shall be insufficient.
(d) To each petition paper shall be attached an affidavit by the circulator thereof,
stating the number of signers and affirming that each signature is the genuine
signature of the person whose name it purports to be, and that it was made in the
presence of the affiant. Such petition shall be filed with the Clerk who shall, within
fifteen (15) days, canvass the signatures thereon. If the petition does not contain
a sufficient number of signatures of qualified electors, the Clerk shall notify
forthwith by certified mail the person filing such petition and fifteen (15) days
from such notification shall be allowed for the filing of supplemental petition
papers.
(e) A referendum petition shall be void unless filed in the first instance with the Clerk
within thirty (30) days after the effective date of the ordinance or resolution to
which such petition refers. The time for review of the petition papers, if necessary,
shall not render the petition void because of the aforesaid time limit. When a
petition with sufficient signatures is filed within the time allowed, the Clerk shall
present the petition to the Board at its next regular meeting.
(2) Board Action.
Upon presentation to the Board of an initiative or referendum petition, the Board
shall, within thirty (30) days, either:
(a) Adopt the ordinance or resolution as submitted by an initiative petition;
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(b) Repeal the ordinance or resolution, or part thereof, referred to by a referendum
petition;
(c) Submit the proposal provided for in the petition to the electors.
(3) Submission to Electors.
Should the Board decide to submit the proposal to the electors, it shall be
submitted at the next general election held in the County or, at the discretion of the
Board, at a special election; provided, however, that if no general or special election
is to be held in the County within 120 days after presentation thereof, the Board shall
call a special election to be held within sixty (60) days.
(a) The presentation to the Board of a valid and sufficient referendum petition shall
automatically suspend the operation of the ordinance or resolution in question
pending repeal by the Board or final determination by the electors, except as
heretofore provided with regard to emergency measures.
(b) The result of all elections held under the provisions of this Section shall be
determined by a majority vote of the electors voting thereon.
(c) An ordinance or resolution adopted by the electorate through initiatory
proceedings may not be amended or repealed by the Board for a period of two
years and a resolution or ordinance repealed by the electorate may not be re-
enacted by the Board for a period of two years.
(d) If two or more ordinances or resolutions adopted at the same election shall have
conflicting provisions, the provisions in the ordinance or resolution receiving the
highest number of affirmative votes shall prevail as to such conflict and the
adopted ordinance or resolution receiving the lesser number of votes, to the
extent it is severable, shall nevertheless be effective except as to the matters of
conflict or inconsistency.
(e) The Board shall not refer more than five measures to the people at any general
election. The number of measures to be submitted at a special election shall not
be limited.
Section 15-5. - Election Required Regarding Siting of Correctional or Detention Facilities.
Effective as of the date of adoption by the electors of Weld County of this Article XV, Section
15-5, no Certificate of Occupancy shall be issued by Weld County, or any department, employee
or agent thereof, for the occupancy or operation of any building or other structure which will be
occupied, used or operated as, and no person, corporation or entity shall occupy, use or operate
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any building or structure as a correctional facility, pre -parole facility, jail, prison or other place of
incarceration, whether or not said building or structure is privately owned and/or operated, or is
owned and/or operated by Weld County or, to the extent permitted by law, the State of
Colorado, unless and until the location and siting thereof has been approved by a majority of the
registered electors of Weld County voting at a regular or special election held on the question of
said location and siting. This Section 15-5 is adopted in order to implement the provision of CRS
Section 17-2-401(d) relating to the authority of Weld County to maintain zoning and siting control
over correctional facilities within the County, and this Section 15-5 shall survive any amendment
or repeal of said Section 17-2-401(d), CRS.
The provisions of this Section 15-5 shall be self-executing, shall take effect immediately upon
adoption by the electors of Weld County, Colorado, and shall be applicable to any structure,
building or facility which is not on the date of such adoption by the electors, occupied and in use
as a detention facility, correctional facility, pre -parole facility, jail, prison or place of incarceration
pursuant to a certificate of occupancy lawfully issued by Weld County, Colorado.
ARTICLE XVI - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 16-1. - Continuity of Government.
The Board shall provide for continuity of government in the event of a disaster. It shall
prescribe procedures which will preserve representative government and provide an orderly line
of succession of authority when disaster makes such measures necessary. In no case will such
temporary occupancy of elective offices extend beyond the next scheduled general election.
Section 16-2. - Eminent Domain.
The County shall have the powers of eminent domain to the fullest extent authorized by State
law.
Section 16-3. - Bonding of Officers.
Members of the Board and such other officers or employees as the Board may require and as
required by this Charter shall give bond in an amount and with surety prescribed by the Board,
or as required by law. The premiums on such bonds shall be paid by the County, and the bonds
shall be filed with the County Clerk. The amount of each bond shall be re-established prior to
each election.
Section 16-4. - Invalidity of Part — Severability.
If a court of competent jurisdiction shall, by final judgment, hold any part or provision of this
Charter to be invalid or unconstitutional, all other provisions of this Charter shall be considered
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to be severable and shall not be affected thereby and the effect of such decision shall not extend
beyond that required by the court's ruling.
Section 16-5. - Article and Section Titles.
The Article and Section Titles of this Charter are inserted for reference and convenience only
and shall not be construed to limit, prescribe, or in any way control the scope or intent of any
provision therein.
Section 16-6. - Public Notice.
Notice to the public of ordinances and of certain official acts, events, determinations,
proceedings or meetings shall be given. Unless defined otherwise in the ordinances, rules or laws
pertaining to the procedure to which the public notice relates, public notice may be by
publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the County or by such other media and in
such form as may be prescribed by the Board. When the notice informs the public of some event
to take place in the future, it shall be published at least five days prior to such event.
Section 16-7. - Vacancy.
Every elective county office shall become vacant, on the happening of any one of the
following events, before the expiration of the term of office:
(1) The death of the officer.
(2) The resignation of the officer.
(3) The removal of the officer, by recall or otherwise.
(4) The officer ceasing to be a resident of Weld County, or in the case of an officer
required to live in a district, ceasing to be a resident of the district from which elected.
(5) The officer's refusal or neglect to take his oath of office, or renew his official bond, or
to deposit such oath and bond within the time prescribed by law.
(6) The final decision of a competent tribunal, declaring void an officer's election or
appointment.
(7) The final decision of a competent tribunal finding an officer guilty of a crime.
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Section 16-8. - Boards — Composition.
The members of all appointive boards and commissions shall be broadly representative of
the community and geographic area served.
(1) The members of all appointed boards and commissions shall be appointed for three
(3) year terms.
(2) No person shall serve more than two consecutive terms on any one appointive board
or commission.
(3) No person who has been an elected officer of the County shall be appointed to an
appointive board or commission until one year after leaving office.
(4) Policy recommendations of advisory boards shall be considered by the Board and
either accepted or rejected. If rejected in whole or in part, the reasons for such
rejection shall be stated and made a part of the Board's records, open to the public.
Section 16-9. - Ethics Rules and Standards.
All Elective Officers and employees of the County of Weld, Colorado, shall comply with the
ethics rules, standards, and penalty provisions set forth in the laws of the State, including, but
not limited to, Article XXIX "Ethics in Government" of the Colorado Constitution. The Board of
County Commissioners shall not have the power and authority to adopt ordinances or resolutions
exempting the Elective Officers and employees of the County of Weld, Colorado, from the
provisions of Article XXIX "Ethics in Government" of the Colorado Constitution.
Section 16-10. - Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the words or phrases defined herein shall be given the
meaning set forth in this Section.
(1) Affidavit — A statement verifying the truth of the matters stated, and sworn to before
a person authorized by law to administer oaths.
(2) Administrative Code — A compilation of Board policies, directives and administrative
procedures which relate primarily to internal functioning and to the conduct of county
government, in regard to the public at large.
(3) Agency — Any board, bureau, commission, department, division, or other
organizational unit in the administrative branch of county government.
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(4) Appropriation — An authorization by the Board to expend from public funds a specific
maximum sum for a specified purpose and during a specified time.
(5) Board — The Board of County Commissioners.
(6) Candidate — Any person seeking nomination or election to any public office.
(7) Chairman — The Chairman of the Board.
(8) Classification plan — As related to the Personnel system, the assignment of positions
into occupational groups and series of classes determined by description of a class of
positions which defines the class title and distinguishes one class of positions from
other classes. It gives examples of typical duties and responsibilities found at its grade
level, and defines minimum skills, knowledges, abilities, and education required.
(9) Clerk — The County Clerk.
(10) Commissioner — A member of the Board.
(11) Council — The County Council.
(12) Councilman — A member of the Council.
(13) County — Weld County, Colorado.
(14) Crime — A felony or a Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor as defined by State law, or a
comparable federal crime or crime in some other state. Does not include petty or
traffic offenses.
(15) Department — One of the major organizational units of the County.
(16) Division — A primary subdivision of a department.
(17) Emergency Ordinance — An ordinance, the passage of which shall be necessary to
the preservation or protection of public health, property, or safety.
(18) Employees — All persons in county service who are not officers.
(19) Initiative — The provision whereby legislation may be initiated by petition and
submitted to the voters for approval or rejection at the polls.
(20) Law — State law.
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(21) Masculine gender — Includes feminine gender.
(22) May — Is considered permissive.
(23) Officer — An elected official of the County.
(24) Person — An individual, firm, association or corporation.
(25) Personnel Policies — As related to the Personnel system, statements relative to the
general management and procedure of the Personnel system.
(26) Personnel rules — As related to the Personnel system, regulations and guidelines
covering and concerning all, or most, relations between employee and employer.
(27) Personnel system — The County Personnel Policies, rules and regulations, job
classifications and compensation plans.
(28) Primary Employment — Availability at all times to conduct county business without
interference of other occupational activities.
(29) Public Notice — Notice as defined in this Charter.
(30) Qualified elector — Shall be equivalent to the term "registered elector" or "eligible
elector" as defined in Colorado Statute according to the context in which they
appear in Statute and this Charter.
(31) Recall — The provision whereby a group of electors may, by petition, require that
an election be held to allow the voters to determine if a county officer should be
removed from office.
(32) Referendum — The provision whereby any ordinance or resolution, or part thereof,
enacted by the Board may be referred to the voters of the County to approve or
reject at the polls.
(33) Shall — Is considered mandatory.
(34) State — State of Colorado.
(35) State law, laws of the State, or laws — All legislation governing Colorado, including
the provisions of the State Constitution. References to State laws shall be construed
as continuing references to them as they may be amended from time to time.
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Section 16-11. - Solid Waste Disposal Sites — Surcharge.
(1) The Board of County Commissioners shall have the authority to promulgate, by
Ordinance, pursuant to Article Ill, Section 3-14, of the Weld County Home Rule
Charter, regulations imposing a service charge on the users, in the form of a surcharge,
to be added to all fees received by any operator of a solid waste disposal site and
facility or transfer station located within any portion of Weld County, Colorado. "Solid
waste disposal site and facility" shall mean any facility which is required, pursuant to
applicable provisions of state law, to obtain a Certificate of Designation from the Weld
County Board of County Commissioners or approval by a city, city or county, or town
(collectively known as "municipalities") prior to its operation.
(2) Should the solid waste site and facility be one at which no fee is collected for the
reason that the facility serves an individual user, the fee shall be computed based
upon the cost within the market for similar disposal services.
(3) The rate of the surcharge may be adjusted by Ordinance in accordance with the
impacts to Weld County and its residents resulting from the disposal of various classes
of waste, but must be uniform within said classes. However, higher rates may be
imposed on users who generate the wastes outside of Weld County for the following
reasons:
(a) in order that landfill capacity be preserved for Weld County users; and
(b) in order to mitigate the impacts on infrastructure and services provided by Weld
County towards which out -of -county generators of waste have not contributed
through ad valorem taxes.
(4) No portion of this section shall require the collection of the surcharge as against users
of a solid waste site and facility or transfer station owned and operated by a
municipality provided the solid waste is generated within the municipality.
(5) The surcharge collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited in the Weld County
Solid Waste Disposal Site and Facility Fund to be used for the purposes of financing
any operations conducted by Weld County with respect to solid waste disposal
including, but not limited to, costs of health inspections; removal of litter and debris
from roadsides; establishment, construction, and maintenance of roads providing
access to solid waste sites and facilities and transfer stations within Weld county;
financing the landfill management program, equalizing costs for transfer sites in Weld
County, Colorado; capital outlay associated with a transfer site system; insurance
costs; Weld County staff support costs; financing the requirements for compliance
with the Resource Conservation Recovery Act; costs of designation of future site
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locations; and remedying environmental problems created by past and future solid
waste sites and facilities and other solid waste disposal sites.
ARTICLE XVII - AMENDMENTS TO CHARTER
Section 17-1. - Procedure to Amend or Repeal Charter.
(1) Action to amend this Charter shall be initiated by:
(a) A petition or petitions signed by at least five percent of the total number of
registered electors of the County; or
(b) A resolution adopted by the Board submitting the proposed amendment or
amendments to the qualified electors.
(2) Action to repeal this Charter or to form a new charter commission may be initiated by
a petition signed by at least fifteen percent of the qualified electors of the County.
(3) Within thirty days of initiation of a proposed amendment, repeal, or charter
convention measure, the Board shall publish notice of and call an election to be held
not less than thirty nor more than one hundred twenty days after said publication.
The text of any proposed amendment shall be published with said notice.
(4) If the proposal is for a charter commission, the election shall be scheduled at least
sixty days after publication of the notice. The procedure for the forming and
functioning of a new charter commission shall comply as nearly as practicable with
provisions relating to formation and functioning of an initial charter commission.
(5) If a majority of the electors voting thereon vote for a proposed amendment, the
amendment shall be deemed approved. If a majority of the electors voting thereon
vote for repeal of the charter, the charter shall be deemed repealed and the County
shall proceed to organize and operate pursuant to the statutes applicable to statutory
counties.
(6) A proposed amendment to the Charter shall be confined to a single subject which shall
be clearly expressed in its title.
(7) No proposal for a charter commission, charter amendment, or repeal of a charter shall
be initiated within twelve months after rejection of a substantially similar proposal.
No proceeding contesting the adoption of a Charter amendment shall be brought
unless commenced within one hundred eighty days after the election adopting the
measure.
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Section 17-2. - Conflicting Amendments.
If there is any conflict or inconsistency between amendments voted upon at the same
election and more than one of said amendments is adopted, then the amendment receiving the
largest number of votes shall prevail as to such conflict or inconsistency and the adopted
amendments receiving the lesser number of votes shall, if severable, be nevertheless effective
except as to the matters of conflict or inconsistency.
ARTICLE XVIII - TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS
Section 18-1. - Purpose of Article.
The provisions of this Article relate to the transition from the existing form of government to
the form of government established by this Charter. Where inconsistent with the foregoing
Articles in this Charter, the provisions of this Article shall constitute exceptions thereto.
Section 18-2. - Effective Date of Charter.
Upon its adoption, this Charter shall become effective on the first day of January, 1976,
except as these transitional provisions require earlier or later implementation.
Section 18-3. - Transition of Elective County Offices.
After adoption of this Charter, the status of elective officers shall be as follows:
(1) Incumbent County Commissioners shall continue to serve as Commissioners of
districts numbered one, two and three until such time as their terms of office would
have expired if this Charter had not been adopted.
(2) All other existing elective officers, as provided for in this Charter, shall continue to
serve in their respective offices until such time as their term of office would have
expired if this Charter had not been adopted.
Section 18-4. - Elections to Fill New Commissioner Positions.
A special election shall be held following adoption of this Charter and prior to December 15,
1975, at which Commissioners shall be elected as follows:
(1) One Commissioner at large shall be elected for a one-year term beginning January 1,
1976. At the next general election in November, 1976, two Commissioners, one each
from geographic districts numbered one and three and one Commissioner elected at
large shall be elected for four-year terms.
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(2) One Commissioner at large shall be elected for a three-year term beginning January
1, 1976. At the general election in November, 1978, one Commissioner from
geographic district numbered two and one Commissioner at large shall be elected for
four-year terms.
(3) In subsequent elections, Commissioners shall be elected for four-year terms, pursuant
to Section 3-4 of this Charter.
Section 18-5. - Elections to Fill New County Councilman Positions.
At the special election to be held, asprovided in Section 4 of this Article, Councilmen shall be
elected as follows:
(1) One Councilman from geographic district numbered two and one Councilman at large
shall be elected for a one-year term beginning January 1, 1976. At the next general
election in November, 1976, they shall be elected for four-year terms.
(2) Two Councilmen, one each from geographic districts numbered one and three and
one Councilman at large shall be elected for a three-year term beginning January 1,
1976. At the general election in November, 1978, they shall be elected for four-year
terms.
(3) In subsequent elections, Councilmen shall be elected for four-year terms as provided
in Section 13-3 of this Charter.
Section 18-6. - Salaries.
Until otherwise established as provided by this Charter, the salaries of all elective officials
shall remain the same as they existed on the effective date of this Charter.
Section 18-7. - Prior Legislation and Policies.
All resolutions, motions, rules and regulations which are not inconsistent with the terms of
this Charter, and which are in force on the effective date of this Charter, shall continue in force
until repealed or amended. Existing resolutions which enact legislative measures shall be
considered to be ordinances under this Charter.
Section 18-8. - Existing Contracts.
(1) All rights, claims, actions, orders, contracts and legal or administrative proceedings
shall continue except as modified pursuant to the provisions of this Charter, and in
each case shall be maintained, carried on or dealt with by the County department,
office or agency appropriate under this Charter.
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(2) Nothing in this Charter shall abridge the rights, duties, or obligations heretofore
obtained or incurred by contract or ordinance and legally entered into or passed by
the County.
Section 18-9. - Continuation of Employment.
All appointed employees of the County holding office on the effective date of this Charter
shall continue to be employed at their existing salaries, subject to the provisions of this Charter
and of the Personnel system regulations adopted pursuant thereto.
Section 18-10. - Appointive Boards and Commissions.
All appointive boards and commissions whose functions have not been transferred by this
Charter to another agency or department, or otherwise dealt with by this Charter, shall continue
to function until otherwise determined by the Board.
Section 18-11. - Continuation of Programs.
All functions, operations, and programs now being conducted by the County may continue
until otherwise provided by the Board.
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