HomeMy WebLinkAbout20172904.tiff This meeting is recorded for accuracy.
Minutes
WELD COUNTY COUNCIL
November 17, 2014
The Weld County Council met in special session in full conformity with the Weld County
Home Rule Charter, Monday, November 17, 2014, at the Weld County Administration
Building, Greeley, CO.
ROLL CALL: The meeting was called to order by Councilwoman Marge Klein and on
roll call the following members were present, constituting a quorum of members thereof:
Councilwoman Marge Klein
Councilman Brett Abernathy
Councilman Don Mueller
Councilman Bernard C. Kinnick
Councilman Jeffrey Hare
Also present: Toby Taylor, Director of Veterans' Services, Dion Harris, Assistant County
Veterans Service Officer, and Sarah Mundt, Council Secretary.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Councilman Abernathy made a motion to approve the
November 17, 2014 agenda. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kinnick and
the motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND REPORT TO THE PEOPLE:
• Formal Approval of the October 20, 2014 Minutes, Councilman Mueller motioned
to accept the Minutes. The motion was seconded by Councilman Kinnick and
the motion carried.
PRESENTATION: Toby Taylor, Director of Buildings and Grounds and Veterans'
Services, Dion Harris, Assistant County Veterans Service Officer
Veterans' Service Officers are licensed through the Veterans Affairs Services which is
an annual certification. The officers act as a liaison between veterans and the Federal
Veterans Affairs Office. They assist veterans in making claims for services in 5
categories: a service connected disability, non-service pensions, VA healthcare
enrollment and eligibility, burial and survival benefits and education benefits.
According to the 2012 Report through the State CVA Department, Weld County has
approximately 18,757 Veterans receiving benefits. The Veteran's Office has increased
the office by .5 FTEs. The Office process approximately 433 calls per month, 361 office
visits per month, and draft around 58 written correspondences on behalf of the Veteran.
The office also submits a monthly report to the Colorado State Office of Veterans'
Affairs that details everything the office has done that month to be eligible to receive the
2017-2904
Weld County Council
November 17,2014
Minutes
$3,600 annual reimbursement. The rest of the Veterans' Services program is funded
through the taxpayers of Weld County, which is approved annually by the Board of
County Commissioners.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None at this time
OLD BUSINESS: None at this time
NEW BUSINESS:
• Discuss the Mileage Reimbursement Policy for Elected Officials and Executive
Health Insurance Plans for Elected Officials.
County Attorney, Bruce Barker, submitted a conclusion that only the Board of
County Commissioners have the authority to set reimbursement of actual and
necessary expenses, including mileage CRS 30-2-103 and 30-11-107 (1)(t). And
CRS Constitution Art. XIV, 15 allows for "compensation" of county officers to be
set in statutory counties by the General Assembly. And the distinction between
"compensation" and "actual and necessary expenses" as detailed in Charter
Sections 13-6, concluding that compensation and salary are interchangeable
terms but they are separate from reimbursable expenses. The Board of County
Commissioners has the authority to set and accept the mileage policies and
health insurance contracts and plan choices.
Commissioner Hare believes that compensation in mileage should be universal
to all County employees. Councilman Mueller does not have an issue with the
mileage policy based on the nature of the Commissioners unique position.
Commissioners cannot move out of their district, mileage makes it equitable.
Councilman Abernathy agrees that this is a questionable policy. Bruce Barker
pointed out CRS 30-2-103 "...for each mile actually traveled whether within or
without the state when engaged in business on behalf of the county..."and 30-11-
107(1)(t) "To set, by resolution duly adopted or by the method provided in the
charter of a home rule county, mileage for all county officers, employees, and
agents in an amount not less than twenty cents per mile nor more than a rate per
mile equal to the standard mileage rate allowed pursuant to 26 U.S.C. sec. 162,
as amended, and regulations promulgated thereunder, for each mile actually and
necessarily traveled while on official county business." Councilman Hare
restated that the mileage policy needs to be changed in some manner. He
believes that the policy is erroneous and unfair. Councilman Hare restated the
issue he is raising by referring back to the Charter and the charges of the
Council. Councilman Hare made a motion to adopt Resolution 205, Equalization
Weld County Council
November 17,2014
Minutes
Of Benefits To Match Those Provided To All County Employees. Councilman
Hare read the Resolution into record. The motion was not seconded, therefore,
the motion failed.
• Coordinator Reports- none at this time
• Upcoming Meetings/Invitations- none at this time
• Pay bills — Councilman Mueller made a motion to pay all bills, Councilman
Kinnick seconded the motion, and the motion carried.
✓ Mileage for Councilman Mueller $ 11.88
✓ Mileage for Councilman Abernathy $ 19.44
✓ Mileage for Councilwoman Klein $ 68.04
✓ Mileage for Councilman Hare $ 12.96
✓ Mileage for Councilman Kinnick $ 11.88
ADJOURNMENT: By acclamation, the meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
November 17, 2014 Council President Marge Klein
Council Secretary Sarah Mundt
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