County to send formal letters to five noncompliant special districts

County staff told commissioners that Rachel in the Department of Audit had confirmed five entities in the county remain noncompliant with required filings.

During the meeting staff read the list aloud: Cambria Improvement and Service District, Combined Communications Dispatch Joint Powers Board, West End Water District, and Weston County Health Services (the transcript repeats Weston County Health Services in the readout). Staff said Rachel had re-sent the audit report and that the county should send formal notification to the entities that remain noncompliant.

Commissioners discussed next steps, including sending an initial county letter and that the Department of Law (county attorney) would begin formal proceedings if the districts failed to come into compliance. Staff said some districts were already working with county staff and the Department of Audit to correct problems; one item (solid waste) was said to be in progress with Paul. A board member offered to draft the county letter.

A motion to send letters to the noncompliant districts was made and, after discussion, put to a voice vote. The transcript records at least one abstention during subsequent handling of the motion; commissioners approved moving forward with the letters and follow-up if districts do not respond.

Staff said the county will monitor compliance filings and, if necessary, the county attorney will begin statutory procedures that could include dissolution of an entity that remains noncompliant after notice and process.