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Chaffee County ratifies fairgrounds repairs, denies fee waiver and adopts priorities, meeting schedule
Summary
At its Jan. 6 meeting the board ratified a scope of work for structural repairs at the fairgrounds North Building, acknowledged the emergency manager's retirement and replacement, denied a rezone fee‑waiver request from Ralph Topper, adopted county priority pillars and approved the 2026 meeting schedule.
The Chaffee County Board approved several administrative and operational items at its Jan. 6 meeting, including ratifying a contract scope for structural repairs at the fairgrounds North Building, addressing personnel transitions, denying a fee waiver for a rezone application and adopting a set of county priority pillars and the 2026 meeting schedule.
Fairgrounds repairs: Staff presented an itemized scope and cost estimate prepared by consultant Ellen Kersting to stabilize rooftop structural supports and HVAC mounts on the North Building. Commissioners discussed timing and asked staff to preserve current pricing; a motion to verify and ratify the scope and agreement with the named contractor was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Emergency management: The board acknowledged the retirement of Emergency Manager Rich Atkins after roughly six and a half years and welcomed William Plackner as his replacement, noting Plackner’s cross‑disciplinary experience in fire, EMS, search and rescue and law enforcement and that onboarding is underway.
Fee waiver: Ralph Topper sought a waiver of a rezone application fee tied to a boundary‑line adjustment. Staff explained the rezone process requires a higher fee because it involves additional public hearings; commissioners found no public‑benefit justification and denied the fee waiver request by motion and voice vote.
County priorities and calendar: Administrator Beth Helmke presented a distilled framework of nine priority pillars (including healthy ecosystems, a resilient economy, operational efficiency, infrastructure planning and community engagement) meant to align departmental work and reporting. Commissioners voted to adopt the priority pillars and also approved Resolution 2026‑01 to designate the county website as the public posting place and adopt the regular meeting schedule for 2026, with the second Tuesday held as an overflow meeting and an exception noted for the already‑scheduled Jan. 13 meeting.
Commissioners said the set of pillars should help staff and the public understand how departmental activities ladder up to broader county goals. The board adjourned following the business items.
