The Ouray County Board of County Commissioners approved the consent agenda and several expenditure reports during its Sept. 23 meeting, while asking staff to follow up on an unusual vehicle rental charge.

The board approved the consent items after pulling one item (a CDOT letter) for separate handling and then approved the expenditures in a later vote. Commissioner discussion focused on line-item details in the warrants report and one flagged charge for a Jeep rental from Colorado West Jeep for $2,610.

Commissioners noted that total road materials budget remaining appeared to be about $104,000 and questioned multiple line items showing negative balances in professional services. Commissioner Nies asked whether road-and-bridge budgeting is “bottom line” and how the department plans for fuel and material purchases given recent citizen concerns about County Road 1 grading.

When commissioners examined the register, a $2,610 payment to Colorado West Jeep was highlighted. Commissioner Nies asked staff to investigate who used the rental, whether it was during business hours or on a weekend, and whether it was a legitimate road-and-bridge expense. County staff said they would ask Finance Director Kara to report back later that day or in an upcoming report rather than attempt to rescind the payment immediately.

The board also discussed the CDOT letter (pulled from consent) and the chair said the letter had been shared with Ridgeway and Montrose and that similar drafts had been circulating from regional partners.

No formal disciplinary or hold action was taken at the meeting; commissioners instructed staff to return with more information on the Jeep rental and other flagged items.

Ending: The board carried the consent-vote motions; staff will provide follow-up details about the Jeep rental and line-item questions at a later time.