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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09/08/17 SPECIAL MEETING September 8, 2017 Present: Jillian Ryan Chairman Kathy Chandler-Henry Commissioner Jeanne McQueeney Commissioner Bryan Treu Interim County Manager Beth Oliver Interim County Attorney Kathy Scriver Deputy Clerk to the Board This being a scheduled Public Hearing,the following items were presented to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration: Business Items Chairman Ryan stated that the Board was voting to place onto the ballot a tax on retail and grow operations for marijuana. The proceeds would be used for mental health and other community projects. The need to increase mental health services in Eagle County was identified as an area of focus. The services in Eagle County were inadequate, and the county did not get any state or federal dollars for public health. Mind Springs provided metal health care services on the Western Slope and was responsible for the entire region.As such,many residents' had to go out of county to receive services. The Community Alliance had been working on the issue for a long time and the Public Health Department had been a leader on the group. This could be a good way of moving forward and providing some ongoing operating dollars to bring crisis stabilization,detoxification, and other mental health services to Eagle County. Commissioner Chandler-Henry thanked everyone in the room and in the community for reaching out and getting behind the issue. The need was clear and the will to do something was clear. She thanked Bryan Treu for coming up with such a creative idea. The county would be asking community partners for help. Commissioner McQueeney added her thanks to the folks in the room that had helped get to this point. There were one-in-four adults in the community that had an issue with mental illness. She believed this was an opportunity that could garner a broad base of support.It was not the marijuana industry that had created the issue; it was simply an opportunity to collect from a sustainable revenue source that could address the issue. Agnes Harakel spoke. As a mom, she was so excited about the possibilities. She has had to transport her son to Grand Junction for treatment, and it was difficult and sad to leave him. She believed that there should be treatment locally. She thanked everyone involved. Greg Daly,Avon Police Chief spoke. He spoke about the difficulty dealing with suicide. It was a tragic experience for everyone and was heartbreaking because it was preventable. He believed it was important to fill the void of resources for mental health in the county. It was a huge step in sustainably in providing support for those needing hope in their lives. 1. Resolution 2017-060 to approve Ballot Language for Marijuana Sales and Excise Tax Bryan Treu, County Manager's Office Commissioner Chandler-Henry moved to approve the resolution approving the ballot language for the Marijuana Sales and Excise Tax. Commissioner McQueeney seconded th- ..• Son. The vote was declared unanimous. o`ctAG c� There b g •• further bus' re the B• e.t;it 0 ing waseldjourne ' it Se., ' er 11,2017. Attest. i.L•.-�, (/ �,(��,,, 'lir` to the Board Cha' an 1 09/08/2017