A brief meeting of the Fremont County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday was highlighted by the board’s adoption of new language in the county’s personnel policy which recognizes civil unions. The county is required under new legislation passed by the Colorado General Assembly in the 2013 session to recognize civil union partners and that they are afforded the same rights, protection, and treatment as married couples. Among the personnel policy language changes affected by civil union recognition are nepotism, bereavement leave, family and medical leave, employee ethics, restrictions regarding acquisition of tax lien properties, and limits on gifts and gratuities for employees and family members.
The Board of Commissioners on Tuesday also noted the responsibilities of care providers under a new state law to report suspected elder abuse. In adopting a resolution proclaiming June 15th as Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Board of Commissioners heard details of the newest changes in Colorado law. Helen Foster of the Fremont County Department of Human Services (DHS) said that on July 1st Colorado will become a mandatory reporting state for elder abuse. Foster said that means that any professional who comes in contact with the elderly in the community will have an obligation to report suspected elder abuse involving anyone age 70 and older. Foster reported that Fremont DHS now averages anywhere from 20 to 35 adult protective investigations in Fremont County every month. She said those investigations range from physical and sexual abuse to financial exploitation of the elderly.
The Board of Commissioners also heard a quarterly Public Trustees report from County Treasurer and Public Trustee Pat McFarland. McFarland reported that during the first quarter of this year her office processed 75 property foreclosures compared to 65 during the first quarter of 2012. She said despite that first quarter jump the number of foreclosures so far in the second quarter is down dramatically from the same period last year. She said it’s the first positive sign that the foreclosure crisis may be slowing down in Fremont County. McFarland also reminded Fremont County property owners who pay property taxes in two installments that they must pay their second half taxes no later than June 15th. Any unpaid taxes after June 15th will automatically go on the delinquent tax list which includes an interest penalty on taxes due.
In the only other business on Tuesday the Commissioners appointed Mark Crespin of Rocky Mountain Bank and Trust and Wanda Embry of the Fremont County Department of Human Services to serve on the Upper Arkansas Area Workforce Board.