County manager reviews public health, housing, transit, grants and staffing updates in March monthly report

County Manager Tim Bergman delivered the Lake County manager’s monthly report at the Board of County Commissioners’ special meeting on March 20, summarizing departmental work across public health, human services, public works, tourism, and other county operations.

Bergman highlighted local public-health preparedness and community programs, economic-development and tourism updates, human services progress on SNAP and Medicaid audits, and multiple planning efforts including the courthouse renovation and mobility studies.

Nut graf: The report provided a cross-department overview of ongoing county projects and partnerships — including grants, staffing changes, and programming — that shape service delivery and near-term budgeting decisions for Lake County.

Highlights Bergman reported include:

- Public health: Staff are monitoring national measles outbreaks and preparing response plans. The community health assessment advisory committee has been formed and the department is preparing inspections for 14 licensed tobacco retailers next month. Bergman said the public-health team is also part of planning for a wellness event scheduled for Saturday, June 7.

- Human services: The department is working with the state on foster-family recruitment and with state partners on a six-month Medicaid management evaluation and a SNAP audit; Bergman said DHS is close to closing a SNAP backlog. He also announced the promotion of Kim Flatt from benefit case manager to deputy director of economic security.

- Grants and finance: Treasurer staff submitted a reimbursement request to Great Outdoors Colorado (GoCo) for nearly $600,000 for fiscal year 2023. Pros (tourism) received a Colorado Parks and Wildlife grant for $45,000 to study extending the Mineral Belt Trail to Leadville Junction along County Road 4.

- Operations and technology: The county completed work to retire legacy internet and telephone lines and is posting memos publicly with a standardized agenda schedule. IT and operations work continues in support of the courthouse renovation project.

- Tourism, events and planning: Tourism and economic development audited lodging and accommodations tax collections for 2024 and reduced a year-over-year deficit from about $25,000 to about $13,000. The National Mining Hall of Fame induction gala was announced for Sept. 6 with an expected 350 attendees. Planning continues for the airport industrial park master plan and future hangar leases; RFPs were described as forthcoming.

- Parks, trails and stormwater: Bergman said the county submitted a stormwater management grant last week to address West Park stormwater issues and that county staff will explore trail connection work supported by the CPW grant.

- Library and community programs: The library is scheduling events including an author workshop with Pam Houston and summer reading and pride programming; the senior center is hosting grief education classes and assisting seniors with tax help and exemptions.

Bergman also noted community requests that will come before the board, including a memorial placement for former Commissioner William "Bill" Gregory and a proposal by community members (Lisa Sandoval, Gus and Harrison Walter) to place a burro-racing monument on courthouse property.

Ending: Bergman closed the report noting continued audit prep for the county’s 2024 financials and invited the board to ask questions and consider appointments related to ongoing projects at upcoming meetings.