Understanding local government

By understanding how local governments work, residents can learn how best to get involved in the decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Like all of Colorado's 63 counties, Moffat County is an arm of the state and so is designed to help administer state law and to provide for local self-government.

It's the county's job to oversee public safety, zoning, building regulation, welfare, health, road and bridges, hospitals, highways, justice and more. The county is also responsible for administering and collecting the mill levy for its special districts, which then provide services such as water and sanitation, libraries and fire protection.

Moffat County has a three-member board of county commissioners who are in charge of the county activities that aren't done by other elected county officials, such as the sheriff and the clerk. The three commissioners include Tom Gray, Tom Mather and Saed Tayyara, all Republicans.

Besides the county commissioners, elected county officials include the sheriff, the clerk and recorder, the coroner, the treasurer and the tax assessor-collector.

Residents elect a seven-member Craig City Council. Current council members are Terry Carwile, Tom Gilchrist, Joe Herod, Bill Johnston, W. Kent Nielson and Byron Willems. The mayor is Don Jones.

The county has one school district, which is governed by a seven-member board that oversees the superintendent and budget.

JoAnn Baxter is board president, Steve Hafey the vice president and Rod Durham the secretary. Other members are Karen Stillion, Andrea Camp, Sandie Johns and Trish Snyder.

All Colorado residents should be aware of the laws that make it possible for them to be involved in government. The Open Meetings Law specifies that state and local public bodies cannot make decisions in secrecy, which means meetings in which decisions are made must be open to the public. The Open Records Act generally says that anyone can look at any public record, with some exceptions, such as law investigations or employment exams.