Mesa County commissioners approve contracts, settlement and pest inspector appointment

Mesa County commissioners on March 3 approved a series of routine and project-specific actions, including procurement agreements, a workers'compensation settlement and an appointment to a pest district.

The board approved a 12-item consent agenda and the minutes from the Feb. 24 administrative public hearing. Action on the consent agenda and minutes was taken by voice vote; several motions were recorded as carrying 3 to 0.

Contracts and settlements approved at the meeting included:

- A contract with Parish Oil Company for bulk fuel deliveries to Mesa County's remote fuel storage and dispensing sites, not to exceed $1,000,000. Becky Forman, fleet office administrator, explained that the $1,000,000 figure covers countywide fuel (bulk and WEX fuel for individual vehicles) and that bulk fuel is not subject to sales tax. Commissioners asked for price-per-gallon details; staff agreed to provide that information.

- A full-and-final settlement of a workers' compensation claim by Terry Clausen. County Attorney Todd Starr described the resolution as a negotiated settlement to end litigation; on the record he described a $200,000 direct payment to Clausen plus a Medicare set-aside component detailed during the presentation. The board approved the settlement.

- A contract award to Vance Brothers LLC for the 2026 surface treatment program in the amount of $2,298,270.51 (see separate coverage of the award in this meeting).

- An agreement with Roxall Consulting Group Inc. for Orchard Avenue Phase 1 construction management and testing services not to exceed $710,008.46. Laura Page said the work is grant-funded and requires additional inspection and paperwork; staff said Roxall was the sole qualified submittal in the RFQ process and the board approved the agreement.

The board recessed as the Lower Valley Public Improvement District to approve a third change order of $175,000 to the agreement with JVA Consulting Engineers for the MAC wastewater treatment and collection systems project to finish design work for evaporative lagoons; Laura Page said completing the design would help the county pursue funding and potentially lift a moratorium on development. The board then returned and approved a resolution appointing Ryan Sarad as pest inspector for the Upper Grand Valley Pest Control District for a three-year term; Amber Martinez described the inspector's role in responding to complaints, conducting inspections and implementing pest management plans.

All actions were approved by recorded motions during the meeting; vote tallies recorded on the record were unanimous where noted.