News Now Blog

Twelve Fremont County non-profit groups will benefit from local grants awarded for 2008 by the Fremont County Tourism Council (FCTC). The Tourism Council awarded $15,000 after receiving grant requests totaling $44,500 from fifteen organizations. Those groups awarded grant monies by the Tourism Council include:

Penrose Chamber of Commerce Apple Days $1,000.00
Florence Pioneer Day Association $600.00
Florence Arts Council - - "Paint the Town" $1,200.00
Florence Chamber of Commerce Pioneer Day & Brochure $1,200.00

The Fremont County Veterans Service Office had a great response of holiday orders for engraved bricks to honor veterans by listing their names and military service on the memorial wall at the Fremont County War Memorial Park at the airport. With a minimum of 50 orders needed to engrave the next group of bricks, that number was met and exceeded. Veterans Service Officer Betty Hanawalt says she now has over 60 orders in hand. The engraving will be completed later this spring when warmer weather prevails.

With property tax bills from the Fremont County Treasurer's Office arriving in mailboxes this week, county officials have prepared information to help taxpayers better understand how their property tax dollars are distributed. County Treasurer Pat McFarland said all tax bills were mailed by her staff on Thursday, January 10th. McFarland said she coordinated efforts with County Assessor Stacy Seifert to insert multiple tax bills and information about Homestead Exemptions into the same envelopes in order to save the county over $4,100 in postage costs.

The Fremont County Commissioners dealt with a brief agenda for their 2008 re-organizational meeting. District 3 Commissioner Ed Norden handed over the Chairman's gavel for the coming year to District 2 Commissioner Larry Lasha. District 1 Commissioner Mike Stiehl was elected the Chairman Pro-Tem. The Commissioners also voted to reappoint Brenda Jackson as County Attorney commending her for her service to Fremont County over the years.

The Colorado Weed Management Association (CWMA) has presented its 2007 'Commissioner of the Year' Award to the Fremont County Board of Commissioners. The award was announced during the December annual conference of CWMA at the Pueblo Convention Center. The three Fremont County Commissioners were presented with the award at their regular meeting December 11th.

End of the year budgetary matters highlighted a brief agenda of business for the Fremont County Commissioners. The Board met in a rare Friday session since the meeting was rescheduled due to the regular meeting date occurring on December 25th.

A public hearing on a proposed new fire district in western Fremont County, introduction of the 2007 Employee of the Year, and adoption of the county's 2008 budget highlighted business during a two-hour regular meeting of the Fremont County Commissioners.

The Fremont County Commissioners handled a brief agenda of business for the November 26th regular meeting. Adoption of a resolution setting new photocopy fees at the Fremont County Clerk and Recorder's Office highlighted the day's agenda.

The Fremont County Commissioners are accepting letters of interest for appointments to the County Planning Commission and the County Board of Zoning Adjustment.

The Planning Commission meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. to review land use proposals and other issues. The two Planning Commission terms begin January 1, 2008, and will run for three years. Chuck McIntyre and Mike Schnobrich currently serve in those two seats on the Planning Commission and both have applied for re-appointment.

The Fremont County Veterans Service Office is taking orders to engrave the names of more veterans on the War Memorial Wall at the Fremont County Airport. Several more applications are needed before the next order is submitted to engrave the next 50 names on the wall.