Garfield County approves appropriations, claims and purchase orders; assessor to request additional personnel funds next week

At its March 23 meeting, the Garfield County Board of County Commissioners approved multiple appropriations and payments and set a date for an assessor funding request.

Commissioner Joe Kegin Jr. moved to approve Cash Fund Estimates of Needs and Requests for Appropriation for Highway Unrestricted in the amount of $138,559.27 and for Drug Court in the amount of $11,097.21; both motions passed unanimously. Kegin also moved that the board examine and approve numerous purchase orders and claims across county funds. The claims listing included a $63,483.30 payment to Garfield County Criminal Justice Authority for the detention building, a $206,136.61 payment listed under Jail Sales Tax to the same authority, fuel and materials payments within the Highway fund (examples: Earnheart Oil & Propane entries), and health department payroll and service payments. The board approved payment of the compiled warrants.

Vice-Chairman Wedel moved to approve and authorize the chairman to sign blanket purchase orders on file; the board approved those. Kegin moved to approve a blanket purchase order that exceeded the encumbered amount (PO #3220, Garber Co-op, Fairmont Fire Dept., $142.95); that motion also passed unanimously.

Under new business County Assessor Darla Dickson told the board she needs additional funds in the Assessor’s 1600 personal services account; Dickson said that item will be on the March 30, 2026 agenda for action.

The board adjourned to meet March 30, 2026.

Next steps: the county will process the approved warrants and blanket purchase orders; the assessor’s request for additional personnel funding will return to the board on March 30 for formal consideration.