The 2021 State of Mesa County

MICHAEL RITTER – LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDITOR

Instead of a traditional public hearing, Mesa County Commissioners released a YouTube video to address the community about the state of Mesa County in 2021.

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Traditionally every year, the Mesa County Commissioners gather to hold a public hearing and give speeches and have discussions about the state of the County. However, as we have all come to learn this past year, COVID-19 cares very little for tradition. So the Mesa County Commissioners opted to create a video to give the 2021 State of The County Address.

All three commissioners Chair Janet Rowland, Scott McInnis, and Cody Davis, appeared in the video to highlight all that they have achieved in their first 100 days and to foreshadow what is facing the County and our community down the road.

The Commissioners message focuses on; opening Mesa County, the economy, financial transparency, collaboration, mental health, and the strategic plan.

Opening Mesa County

Commissioners Rowland and Davis express their happiness Mesa County is opening up within the first 100 days of this term. Davis touched on the importance of opening and getting back to a sense of normalcy for businesses.  He also outlines the free to choose initiative that goes into effect on April 16.   

The Economy

Mesa county’s economy is strong. Commissioner McInnis talked about the success of the Five Star program Mesa County developed and implemented that has been used across the world as a standard for re-opening businesses.  McInnis, Rowland, and Davis all shared the same sentiment talking about the Mesa County economy’s strength but expressed concerns about the %200 increase in online sales. Yes, the County gets the tax from those sales. Still, those dollars are leaving the community and going to large national retailers. McInnis also stated concern about the community’s loss of Oil and Gas revenue. McInnis’s primary focus is putting the County and, more specifically, the people of Mesa County first.

Financial Transparency

Commissioner Rowland talked about people’s ability to get the County’s financial information and precisely the accomplishment that they were able to make all financial information readily available online. Rowland also presented that soon all financial information will be sortable and searchable, making it even easier to access.

Collaboration

Commissioner Davis expressed his satisfaction with how well the community’s different partners, specifically he cited non-profits, hospitals, and economic development partners, have come together in the past year. Davis provides the collaboration of numerous agencies involved in fighting the Pine Gulch Fire as an example of the Communities collaboration efforts.

Mental Health

Commissioner Rowland pushed how essential mental health services are going to be in the future. She explained that even though the County has no direct mental health services, many County and community agencies will be affected if people can’t get help with taking care of their mental health. She continued in her explanation that community partners are working to identify the barriers people might face in seeking help with mental health and that those partners are working together to overcome those barriers.

The Strategic Plan

Commissioner Rowland expressed the importance of the strategic plan in that it’s what guides Mesa County’s direction into the future. She explained that the Commissioners seek the public’s input because of the essential services provided to the public.

The Mesa County Commissioners hold public meetings every Monday at 9 a.m. in The Public Hearing Room of the Mesa County Old Courthouse, located at 544 Rood Ave. Grand Junction, Colorado, 81501

For Mesa County’s Website, Click Here

For the Mesa County Commissioners Website, Click Here

To Watch The Mesa County Commissioners 2021 State of the County Address, Click Here