Montrose County sets June 3 public hearing on proposed West End Health Service District

The Montrose County Board of County Commissioners agreed May 4 to set a public hearing on June 3 for a proposed West End Health Service District service plan, following staff’s recommendation to meet statutory notice requirements.

Julie, a county staffer responsible for the filing, told commissioners that state law requires the board to set a hearing within 30 days of the service-plan submission and to publish notice more than 20 days before that hearing. “We’re requesting or suggesting that you set it for, the 1st meeting in June, which is June 3,” she said, adding that staff will send notice to all taxing entities within the proposed district and publish the notice in the newspaper.

Julie said the service-plan packet includes a boundary map; three of the four boundaries are county lines and one boundary crosses private land that has not yet been surveyed. She said a formal survey will likely be required before the district proceeds to district court. Commissioners placed the item on general business rather than consent in part because they expected public comment.

If the board proceeds beyond the hearing, staff warned there are statutory checklists and required findings the commissioners will need to make before approving the district. Julie said she will provide the checklist to the commissioners ahead of the hearing so they know what criteria to evaluate. The board did not take a final action beyond scheduling the hearing.