New office assistant brings chemistry background to CSU extension office
Nancy Santagata (left) and Jennifer Cook (right) smile for a photo. Santagata, a chemist, was recently hired as a part-time office assistant at the CSU Extension Office. She expressed her excitement and happiness about the role, noting that it does involve some chemistry. Her position is funded by the county.
GILPIN COUNTY - The Gilpin County Commissioners met for their regular session on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, with all commissioners–Susan Berumen (Chair), Marie Mornis, and Sandy Hollingsworth–present, along with key officials like County Attorney Jack Reutzel, County Clerk Kimberly Kaufman, and County Manager Ray Rears.
During the meeting, Human Resources Director Chanda Johnson introduced two new hires. Jessie Hartman joins the Assessor’s Office, and Nancy Santagata will be working part-time as an office assistant at the CSU Extension Office, adding more hands to support local operations.
The Timberline Fire Protection District brought forward a request for a 50% funding match to secure three new positions focused on fire mitigation over the next four years. With wildfires becoming a growing threat, this initiative aims to improve fire prevention and safety in the region. The Board approved the request.
Additionally, a Letter of Support was approved for the Clear Creek Watershed and Forest Health Partnership’s (CCWFHP) Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation (FRWRM) Grant. This grant would focus on increasing forestry and engagement capacity in Clear Creek, Gilpin, and Jefferson counties, which will play a crucial role in wildfire risk reduction and forest health management. The County’s support for the grant aligns with ongoing efforts to mitigate wildfire danger in the region.
In a major move, the County purchased 39 acres of land, known as Rudolph Ranch, located at 14874 Highway 119, for $1.25 million. This is a Lorenz property, next door to what is known as Rudolph Ranch, Inc.
The reason behind this purchase, according to County Manager Ray Rears, is to secure long-term water rights, a critical need for the future of the county.
Several important resolutions passed unanimously during the session. Among them was the approval of a new Transfer Station Equipment Operator position for Public Works. This position is already in the budget, with an annual salary ranging from $65,521 to $78,717, including benefits.
John Combs, Director of Public Works, mentioned that the Transfer Station is currently operating at only 68% of their 2024 wages. He also explained that the department plans to increase the fee on trash bags, and this will cover the salary of the new employee.
The commissioners also extended their contract with Summit Foods, which handles meal services for the jail and the Gilpin County Seniors Program. For another year, Summit Foods will continue providing reliable, safe, and quality food services, with a 5% inflation-based price increase, bringing the cost of senior meals to $8.095 per meal.
In another resolution, the Board approved extending the Jail Based Behavioral Health Services (JBBS) program, designed to support inmates dealing with mental health and substance abuse issues. This program, funded by a grant from the Colorado Department of Behavioral Health, will continue through 2025, with a budget of $75,660 for the upcoming fiscal year.
The commissioners signed off on a $15,000 agreement with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program to conduct field surveys in support of outdoor recreation and conservation planning as part of the NOCO Places 2050 initiative.
Lastly, Special Counsel Leslie Schluter was reappointed to handle an ongoing legal matter for the County, with the Board authorizing up to $10,000 for her services.
On the digital front, the County is gearing up to meet new federal standards for digital accessibility, with a deadline of April 2027. Approximately 152 public-facing web pages will need to be updated to comply with the Department of Justice’s regulations.
The Mountain Rail Project is receiving mixed reactions from local towns, with Nederland expressing interest, Black Hawk declining support, and no response yet from Central City.
The meeting concluded at 10:31 a.m., with all motions passing unanimously.
The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for October 22, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historic Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City and online via Zoom.
