1) Architect Tom Chamberlin given the go-ahead to do a drawing of the courthouse lobby. A portion of a $15,000 courthouse security grant is paying the bill.
2) Commissioners show support of the 7th Annual Western Slope Soil Health Conference with a $1,000 contribution from the county’s economic development fund. http://www.westerncoloradosoilhealth.com/soil-health-confer…
3) Health and Human Services is worried about a large influx of county residents applying for financial aid including food stamps. Although the overall reasons for the growing numbers were not discussed, staff told the Commissioners that they were not able to keep up with the current demand and that the State is calling for even higher service outcomes.
Meanwhile, the department is seeing more young children testing positive for drugs including methamphetamine and heroin. Lifestyle situations seem to be the cause and more children are being pulled from their homes for their own protection.
To help solve both problems, staff is looking to neighboring county and town administrations for collaboration and advice.