Montezuma County commissioners approve MOU, contracts, vehicle lease and $50,000 transfer

The Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners on Jan. 14 approved a series of routine administrative items including an MOU with a data services vendor, road-funding reporting, equipment leasing and contracts for the landfill and jail.

Board members approved a memorandum of understanding with Data Safe Services dated Dec. 22, 2024, for $30,000 to move an IT rack to a new location, and they authorized signature by county staff. The board also accepted the county’s Highway Users Trust Fund (HUTF) reporting numbers for the year (total road miles: 790.49; paved: 248.7; unpaved: 541.79).

In a separate vote the commissioners approved the county’s vehicle replacement plan and accepted a low bid for three 2025 Subaru Ascent seven‑passenger all‑wheel‑drive pool vehicles on a five‑year lease; the motion recorded an amount of 741.20 (as presented in the meeting). The board was also informed that several vehicles and trailers will be listed for public auction on publicsurplus.com.

Contracts and transfers The board accepted a quote from Environmental Products LLC in the amount of $22,220 for landfill daily cover. Commissioners approved a one‑year contract with Southern Health Partners to provide jail health care for the contract period Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025; the contract was described in discussion as representing a 4% increase over last year, and the motion recorded the annual base fee as $314,052.12 (transcript contained an earlier reference to $314,547; see clarifying details). The board also authorized transfer order 1‑2025, providing initial funding of $50,000 from the general fund to a newly created Senior Services and Transportation Fund; officials said the fund will operate on fees and grants after initial capitalization.

Human resources engagement and cemetery advertising The board authorized the chairman to sign an engagement letter with a law firm (discussed as Posonelli/Polsonelli/Posonelli in the workshop) to review and update the county employee handbook; meeting discussion referenced an initial review fee of about $25,000 and an option for additional services. Commissioners agreed to advertise a vacancy for the Lebanon Cemetery board for one week and to take action after the advertisement period.

Financial approvals The board accepted October financials totaling $4,268,887.48 and November payables/financials totaling $3,988,435.35.

Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (Jan. 7, 2025): approved, vote recorded unanimous. - MOU: Data Safe Services (Dec. 22, 2024), $30,000; approved, unanimous. - HUTF road reporting: accepted, total 790.49 miles (248.7 paved, 541.79 unpaved); approved, unanimous. - Fleet replacement: three 2025 Subaru Ascent AWD (5‑year lease), amount recorded 741.20; approved, unanimous. - Landfill daily cover: Environmental Products LLC, $22,220; approved, unanimous. - Jail health contract: Southern Health Partners, Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2025; annual base fee recorded in motion as $314,052.12; approved, unanimous. - Handbook review engagement: authorized chairman to sign engagement letter with law firm for review (initial figure referenced ~$25,000); approved, unanimous. - Transfer Order 1‑2025: Senior Services and Transportation Fund, $50,000 initial funding; approved, unanimous. - October financials: $4,268,887.48; approved, unanimous. - November financials: $3,988,435.35; approved, unanimous.

Ending Most motions were moved, seconded, and approved unanimously by voice vote. Several items were presented in a preceding workshop; board members noted those workshop materials are available on the county’s YouTube channel for public review.