Date: 04/06/2010

Final
HCR10-1001

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved to postpone House Concurrent Resolution 10-1
Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 10-1001		PASS
FAIL


01:34 PM

The committee chair, Representative Peniston, called the meeting to order.


01:35 PM -- House Concurrent Resolution 10-1001

Representative Weissmann, prime sponsor, presented House Concurrent Resolution 10-1001, concerning submitting an amendment to Sections 8 and 15 of Article XIV of the Colorado Constitution to authorize the board of county commissioners of each county, rather than the General Assembly, to set the salaries of the officers of that county including the county commissioners, clerk and recorder, sheriff, coroner, treasurer, assessor, and surveyor. Representative Weissmann provided background on county salaries and discussed the recommendations of the County Elected Officials' Salary Commission for the 2010 legislative session. Representative Weissmann addressed questions from the committee concerning the history of county salaries and how other states establish the salaries of their elected officials.


01:41 PM

Dr. Robert Bux, El Paso County Coroner, representing the Colorado Coroners Association, testified against the resolution and discussed the important role of county coroners. Dr. Bux addressed questions from the committee members and discussed the potential for counties to decrease the standards and salaries of county coroners if the resolution was adopted.


01:45 PM

Sandra Damron, El Paso County Treasurer, representing the Colorado County Treasurers' and Public Trustees' Association, testified against the resolution and addressed questions from the committee concerning inconsistencies in county salaries.


01:48 PM

Jim Everson, Jefferson County Assessor, representing the Colorado County Assessors' Association, testified against the resolution, talked about the importance of autonomy for county elected officials, and addressed questions from the committee.


01:54 PM

Peg Ackerman, representing the County Sheriffs Association, testified against the resolution and explained the importance of autonomy for county sheriffs, and responded to questions from the committee concerning the history of salaries for county sheriffs.


01:56 PM

Andy Karsian, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified against the resolution and explained that the resolution was widely opposed by county officials throughout Colorado and explained the negative consequences that could result if counties were allowed to set their own salaries for elected officials.


02:00 PM

Nancy Doty, Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder, representing the Colorado County Clerk and Recorders Association, testified against the resolution and explained the importance for county clerk and recorders to remain independent from influence by a board of county commissioners.


02:01 PM

Dave Wissel, Park County Assessor, representing himself, testified against the bill, discussed the history of county salaries in Colorado, and discussed the negative consequences that could result from allowing counties to set the salaries of elected officials.


02:03 PM

Representative Weissmann entered closing comments on the bill.
BILL:1001
TIME: 02:03:33 PM
MOVED:McKinley
MOTION:Moved to refer House Concurrent Resolution 10-1001 to the Committee of the Whole. The motion failed on a 4-7 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Apuan
VOTE
Acree
No
Apuan
Yes
Bradford
No
Liston
Yes
Massey
No
McKinley
Yes
Priola
No
Schafer S.
No
Vigil
Yes
Soper
No
Peniston
No
Not Final YES: 4 NO: 7 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: FAIL


BILL:1001
TIME: 02:13:58 PM
MOVED:Acree
MOTION:Moved to postpone House Concurrent Resolution 10-1001 indefinitely. The motion passed on a 7-4 roll call vote.
SECONDED:Bradford
VOTE
Acree
Yes
Apuan
No
Bradford
Yes
Liston
No
Massey
Yes
McKinley
No
Priola
Yes
Schafer S.
Yes
Vigil
No
Soper
Yes
Peniston
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 4 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS