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ELBERT COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
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June 29, 2017
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winners guide
Inside
County signs deal with oil-gas company Three-year lease of mineral rights applies to northwest corner BY JODI HORNER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Ehmann was promoted to manager, at an annual base salary of $109,000, in February 2014. Prior to that, he had been employed with the county for seven years as the public works director. Ehmann was offered and accepted an extension of his contract at the April 26 board of county commissioners meeting, effectively taking his position through Dec 31, 2018. Later that day, Ehmann went to a medical appointment and received a diagnosis that precluded him from immediately returning to work, county officials said. Ehmann informed the commissioners that he would be taking a week of sick leave until the follow-up appointment the next week, where it was determined he would require an
The Niobrara formation that covers the northeastern part of Colorado has attracted new gas and oil exploration in the northwestern portion of Elbert County. Signing for the county manager, County Commissioner Danny Willcox submitted a contract to Bison Oil and Gas on June 21 that will lease the county’s mineral rights to the company. The county commissioners have assumed the responsibilities of the county manager due to the resignation of Ed Ehmann. Bison will pay Elbert County $90,000 for three-year prospecting and mineral rights over 30 net mineral acres that extend one mile south of the northern border of Elbert County and up to six miles east of the western border. In a county that is hurting for funds, the contract could be a precursor to future opportunities and provide revenue for much-needed road repair and improvements in the county, officials believe. According to Willcox, Bison requires a confidentiality agreement in most of its contracts, but as the commissioners contemplated the terms of the lease contract, they determined this was not an appropriate stipulation to include as the land being used is owned by the county. Commissioner Grant Thayer called the company to ask if they could strike the standard confidentiality section of the contract, to which Bison agreed. The contract could potentially be extended another two years “if they actually find something,” said Commissioner Chris Richardson. If that happens, the rate for leasing the property rights would go up and a lease bonus would be enacted, where the
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The board of county commissioners unanimously approved a motion to extend the contract of Ed Ehmann, right, as county manager in April. Last week, Ehmann officially resigned from the position, citing health reasons. At left is County Attorney Wade Gateley. JODI HORNER
County manager’s resignation official Ehmann leaving after more than three years in post, citing health reasons BY JODI HORNER SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
On June 21, nearly two months after he began his sick leave, Elbert County Manager Ed Ehmann officially submitted his formal resignation, which will become effective Aug. 31. “Ed will be missed,” said County Commissioner Danny Willcox. “His dedication to this county is unmatched. “Though we are sad to see him go, we understand his decision is best.”
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
‘This is the time of year to start looking for death camas emerging from the soil in Elbert County pastures. It looks a little like garlic when it first starts to grow.’ Sheila G. Kelley, county extension director | Page 8 INSIDE
CALENDAR: PAGE 6 | VOICES: PAGE 8 | LIFE: PAGE 10 | SPORTS: PAGE 13
ElbertCountyNews.net
VOLUME 122 | ISSUE 22