The President delivers the State of the Union address and the Governor reports on the State of the State, so it is only appropriate that the residents of La Plata County should receive a State of the County report from the County Commissioners concerning condition of the county.

It is an exciting time in La Plata County.  We are currently in the process of undertaking several important projects, including the La Plata County Compass (our strategic planning effort), the creation of a facilities master plan to address existing and future facility needs, and the development of the children, youth and families master plan to focus energy and attention on our greatest community asset: our youth.  The County has also been a key player in helping to stabilize the primary health care system in our community through its support of the community health clinic and the efforts of the primary health care community coalition to identify a long-term approach to meeting primary care needs. Organizationally, a new county manager will be joining our team soon, and we are currently in the process of searching for a community development director.

Sustainability has emerged as a focus of community attention, and La Plata County has embraced that community imperative as well.  Our efforts need to go far beyond ensuring a sustainable environment; sustainability, in the broad sense of the word, speaks to our collective need to be concerned about the life cycle of our community and its basic building blocks – healthy, thriving families, economic vitality, well planned transportation, sensible land use, and manageable growth, as well as a healthy natural environment.

Fiscally the County remains sound.  Revenues are conservatively projected to be $71.4 million in 2008. Oil and gas production will represent approximately 56% of the property tax revenue in 2008, reminding all of us of the need to maintain a diverse and robust local economy to offset any downturn in revenues that will inevitably occur as the natural resource is depleted over time.

Fund balances are healthy, enabling us to fund a much-needed $17 million, 84-cell expansion of the county jail from cash reserves. Our 2008 budget is $86 million and, in addition to the jail project, includes funding for a number of road improvement projects.  The County continues to be successful in applying for and receiving energy impact assistance funds, which help to fund our capital projects.   

This Board takes its advocacy role on behalf of the citizens of La Plata County seriously and has been active in ensuring the voice of local residents is heard in Denver through participation in boards and activities that directly impact our county, such the State Severance Tax Work Group, Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rulemaking process, and State Board of Health, to name a few.

Intergovernmental cooperation is an organizational priority, and to that end, we have been strengthening channels of communication and exploring opportunities for partnership with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, Town of Bayfield, Town of Ignacio and City of Durango. Working together to plan for the future and maximize resources today is in the best interest of all our community.  For example, a joint planning effort is underway with the City of Durango to develop reasonable and rationale growth policies in the urbanizing areas.  Similar efforts will be undertaken with the towns. We have also worked cooperatively with the Town of Bayfield in the development of a senior center and will be locating a Clerk’s satellite office in the new Bayfield Town Hall. La Plata County continues to grow in popularity as a place to live, and property values have increased considerably, resulting in affordable housing challenges. Our participation in the Regional Housing Alliance with the Town of Ignacio and City of Durango is helping to direct energy and attention on this important issue.

La Plata County residents can continue to rely on this Board and our capable and committed staff to be responsible stewards of the public trust and to utilize public resources efficiently and wisely.  We welcome your involvement in any of the County’s many boards and commissions and through community meetings and other opportunities for public engagement.

Respectfully submitted,

LA PLATA COUNTY

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Joelle Riddle                                        Kellie Hotter                             Wally White

Chair                                                   Vice Chair                               Commissioner