Rio Blanco County adopts three-year strategic plan to guide budgeting and operations

The Rio Blanco County Board of Commissioners adopted a countywide strategic plan on Jan. 27, approving a framework intended to guide budgeting and operations for the next three years.

Janet Roland, the consultant who led the planning process, presented the plan and described its two central pillars: responsible stewardship of county assets and infrastructure, and transparent, sustainable fiscal and workforce stewardship. Roland told commissioners the plan is designed as a decision-making framework — not merely a project list — that will inform budget choices, organizational changes and measurable outcomes.

Under the first pillar, the plan directs the county to reorganize fairgrounds management under Road and Bridge, create a unified management plan for both county airports, adopt a documented decision framework for county roads, and evaluate options for the county’s role in Fairfield housing. Under fleet stewardship, the plan recommended adopting interdepartmental fleet use and maintenance policies and piloting a vehicle-leasing program to test whether leasing could yield cost and operational benefits.

The second pillar focuses on financial transparency and workforce investment. The plan calls for clear reporting on fund balances, strengthened purchasing and credit-card protocols, and a countywide employee classification system aligned with updated job descriptions and pay scales.

Commissioners praised the document’s emphasis on transparency and long-range stewardship. Following the presentation, a commissioner moved to adopt the plan; the motion was seconded and approved by roll call.

The board’s adoption starts the process of integrating the plan into budget work and operational changes. Roland and staff said the plan is intended to be reviewed regularly and used to prioritize projects and budget allocations. The county will also use advisory committees and stakeholder outreach during implementation. The adoption concludes the presentation phase; commissioners directed staff to bring any implementation items — including proposed policy changes tied to the plan — to future agendas for specific action.