The Montezuma County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to move forward with a ballot measure that would remove term limits for three county offices.
The question, which is to be placed on the November ballot, asks voters whether to exempt the county’s treasurer, assessor, and clerk and recorder from term limits. Those positions are currently limited to three terms, and clerk Kim Percell is nearing the end of her third term.
While discussing the idea during their workshop on Monday, the commissioners said those three positions are non-political and their duties are set by state statute.
They also noted that even if voters approve the measure, the people in those three offices will still have to run for re-election every four years and could be voted out.
The county commissioners themselves are limited to two terms, as is the district attorney. The sheriff has a limit of three terms, and current Sheriff Steve Nowlin is at the end of his tenure.
Also on Tuesday, the county commissioners agreed to plan for a clean-up weekend this spring during which landfill fees will be waived for county residents.
Commission Chair James Candelaria said while most material would be accepted for free, there would be limitations on hazardous materials and electronics. He said this will encourage people to tidy up their properties.
At the workshop, landfill manager Mel Jarmon said late May or early June would probably be the best time for the clean-up days, which would likely be a Friday and Saturday.
“I have to caution you,” Jarmon told the commissioners, “it’s great to help the community, but when we did the free-tire thing, people have been holding on to stuff waiting for another free day instead of taking care of it.”
Candelaria said even if some people do wait, clean-up days encourage them to take action without the county having to threaten enforcement actions.
“It’s still trash in the community,” Candelaria said, noting that the commissioners have been dealing with complaints about unsightly junk creating blight.
“We’re getting better assistance from the people if we’re helping them rather than just being a hammer on their head,” he said.
Commissioner Gerald Koppenhafer said some people are living on properties where there are “generations of stuff” needing to be cleaned up.
Jarmon also said that the last time the county offered a day for free tire disposal, although it was supposed to be just for private citizens, “I couldn’t tell you how many businesses showed up with their tires.”
Candelaria agreed that there will be some abuse of free clean-up days, but getting rid of refuse, including green waste such as tree branches, can help prevent wildfires.
“If we get one wildfire that costs us a million dollars and we could have prevented it – I think prevention is a better tool,” Candelaria said.
Jarmon, emergency manager Jim Spratlen, and the commissioners agreed that the landfill will have to be careful about checking that people aren’t sneaking in hazardous wastes such as paint, dynamite, mercury, and other items. Those need to be handled separately, they said.
