San Miguel County

This document details a continued discussion from a previous BOCC meeting regarding the San Miguel County Housing Program, focusing on deed-restricted properties. Key topics included a review of deed restrictions, specifically comparing the Land Use Code (LUC) Deed Restriction with the Covenant, and summarizing legal questions from the prior meeting. Legal recaps clarified that deed restrictions run with the land and which version of the LUC applies based on specific language in the restriction. The staff recommendation proposed offering the option to revert to a prior deed restriction for properties sold or transferred within the last three years (since June 1, 2022), specifically for those on a Covenant. The document also outlined alternative options for reversion, highlighted key differences between the 1990s LUC and the 2010-2020 Covenant regarding amendments and income qualifications, and reviewed recent covenant amendments from 2021 and 2023.

This San Miguel County Behavioral Health Gap Analysis, prepared in Spring 2025, details the current state of behavioral health services and identifies critical needs. Key findings highlight challenges such as limited access, insufficient provider capacity, absence of core services, geographic barriers, and a lack of culturally competent care. The document provides ten recommendations designed to inform a future strategic plan aimed at improving service accessibility, addressing stigma, expanding support for youth, enhancing regional coordination, and fostering culturally responsive care for all residents.

The San Miguel County Board of County Commissioners' strategic direction aims to ensure residents are healthy and flourishing, and communities are safe and vibrant. This is achieved through key focus areas: Community Well-Being, which emphasizes increasing access to healthcare, behavioral health services, childcare, and food security; Infrastructure, dedicated to maintaining and building critical infrastructure including roads, bridges, water systems, and community housing; and Climate Action, focused on leading local and regional efforts to protect natural resources, reduce carbon footprint, and enhance resilience against climate challenges. The plan also highlights providing essential community services, practicing responsible environmental stewardship, prioritizing long-term fiscal stability, and partnering to enhance the quality of life in the county and region.

The meeting included discussions on the lodging tax, updates from the Norwood Chamber, and a review of lodging tax revenue. There were challenges with the state's coding system affecting the distribution of funds. The Norwood Chamber reported on the success of Noel Night, highlighting collaboration with various partners and its positive impact on local businesses. The chamber also discussed the 2025 agreement and the budget completion timeline.

The meeting included a discussion on county emergency funding for mudslide cleanup and an introduction to Dr. Jason Cipel, who discussed tree planting efforts. A presentation was given on forest changes, including mortality mapping in the landscape, with a focus on the scale of mortality and the extent of the changes. The discussion covered the impact of drought on tree mortality, the accuracy of AI in mapping dead trees, and the use of air photos for analysis.