Huerfano County commissioners approve grants, contracts, overtime rules and employee bonuses

Huerfano County commissioners on Dec. 24 approved a series of grants, contracts, administrative agreements and personnel payments, voting unanimously on most items as recorded in the public meeting.

The board accepted a $208,474 award through the off-system bridge program to help replace the bridge on County Road 543 (project total reported as $783,566) and approved awarding the construction contract to the apparent low bidder, 2 On The Constructors, Inc. of Swink, pending a notice to proceed expected in January. Commissioners recorded a county match for the project of about $89,346, with the packet noting the full project cost and funding split.

The board approved submission of an Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) application for fiscal year 2025 requesting $146,424.56 with the required county match. Commissioners identified two staff allocations in the grant packet: Robert as acting emergency manager and Ross Hall as mitigation coordinator. Officials noted that final reimbursement levels depend on state and federal allocations and that prior years’ reimbursements were smaller than requested.

The sheriff’s office requested retention overtime for jail staff beginning with the pay period that starts Dec. 29, 2024, and running through a date in mid-2025. The board approved overtime for the department with conditions: the sheriff must submit employee training…