Reflecting on my first two years as a Mesa County Commissioner, I am proud of our strides in advancing practical solutions that support our residents, businesses and economy. These years have been defined by a steadfast commitment to protecting water resources, strengthening agriculture, promoting economic development, safeguarding individual rights and ensuring efficient governance.

As we move into 2025, my focus remains on building upon these achievements and driving forward initiatives that will secure a prosperous future for Mesa County.

Water continues to be a top priority, particularly in the Grand Valley, where access to Colorado River water is essential for agriculture, tourism, ecology and our broader economy. That’s why we invested $1 million in the Shoshone Water Rights Preservation initiative, an effort I am committed to seeing through to completion. At the same time, we are addressing the invasive species of zebra mussels by collaborating with local, state and federal partners to prevent their spread and protect critical water infrastructure.

Agriculture is not just an economic driver in Mesa County. It’s part of our identity. Yet invasive species pose a significant risk to our crops and exports. That’s why we launched the Japanese Beetle Spray Program, which completed its second year and led to an 86 percent reduction in these pests.

We will continue taking proactive, data-driven steps to safeguard food production and protect our agricultural economy. Our partnership with AgriWest and our Respect the Rural initiatives also impact rural-urban collaboration and foster innovative solutions that sustain our agricultural heritage while driving economic growth.

Over the past two years, we have enhanced the fairgrounds with improved facilities, a new sound system and fresh paint, while increasing support for the Fair Board. Looking ahead, we are conducting a market study to evaluate the feasibility of an event center and indoor arena, which could provide a major boost to our local economy. Additionally, we are updating the Fairgrounds Master Plan to align with the evolving needs of our community.

Public safety has been another major area of focus. To ensure our law enforcement agencies are equipped to keep our communities safe, we increased Mesa County Sheriff’s Department wages by 23 percent and added over 18 new deputies. Meanwhile, the Justice Center renovations, set for completion in 2025, will provide expanded space for justice services. We just completed a full renovation of the former City Market warehouse building for probation services.

Attainable housing and a strong workforce are not just economic priorities, they are the foundation of the American dream and a pathway to financial stability, growth, and independence for families in Mesa County. Over the past two years, we have taken meaningful steps to make homeownership more accessible by investing $10 million in private activity bonds to support first-time homebuyers.

At the same time, we have worked to eliminate unnecessary barriers by streamlining planning and building processes, keeping fees low, and reducing permit timelines. By leveraging technological advancements, such as Starlink-equipped building department vehicles and same-day permits, we have modernized our approach, making construction more efficient and homeownership a reality for more families.

These efforts reflect our commitment to ensuring that hardworking residents have the opportunity to build a future in the community they call home.

Providing financial relief to Mesa County residents has been a priority as well. By cutting property taxes with lowering the county mill levy and issuing $11.5 million in TABOR refunds, we have helped families keep more of their hard-earned money. We also reduced landfill fees for individuals and businesses, ensuring essential services remain affordable while driving down costs for households and employers.

Mesa County’s Election Office has made meaningful and innovative adjustments in the past two years. We supported funding new printers in voting locations, so now every Mesa County voter receives a paper ballot, and cast ballots are available online for public review, eliminating costly CORA requests. Residents can conduct their own hand counts or audits. Additionally, the Mesa County Clerk’s Office upgraded security cameras, improved public viewing areas, increased open houses and judge training, and reinforced measures to enhance voter confidence.

Energy policy also been an area of focus, and our approach has been balanced and forward-thinking. Recognizing the need for strategic growth, we enacted a six-month moratorium on new utility-scale solar installations to revise land-use regulations. Just four months later, we introduced a new solar code. Within the new code, we supported agrivoltaic systems, allowing farmers to generate solar energy while maintaining agricultural production.

Mesa County was among the first in Colorado to integrate agrivoltaics into its code. We also incentivized solar development in commercial and industrial areas while protecting agricultural land and respecting private-property rights. In 2025, we plan to update our Energy Master Plan to further align with community needs.

Expanding behavioral health services has been another area of progress. By enhancing multi-agency collaboration teams (MAC) and co-response units, we have reduced jail populations, saving tax dollars, improved public safety and strengthened workforce stability. In the coming year, we will build upon this success by implementing software that tracks even more measurable outcomes, ensuring taxpayer dollars are being used effectively and tied to tangible results.

Transparency and fiscal responsibility remain core principles of our governance. Over the past two years, we have significantly expanded town halls, newsletters and Inside Mesa County classes to keep residents informed. Our Sunshine List has grown by more than 800 percent, offering greater transparency on public meetings and decision making. You can sign up for both at www.mesacounty.us.

Our Unfunded Mandate Tracker Tool now quantifies the financial impact of state mandates, reinforcing our commitment to responsible budgeting and fiscal transparency. As the state budget faces growing uncertainty, it is critical to clarify who truly bears the financial burden – whether it’s the state, county, or federal government – and how these policies impact taxpayers.

Shifting costs to counties, which are legally required to balance their budgets, forces difficult trade-offs, often resulting in reduced funding for essential services. The State of Colorado cannot balance its budget on the backs of counties; if lawmakers create new mandates, they must also provide the funding to support them. Fiscal responsibility must extend beyond policy decisions. It requires ensuring that the financial obligations created by the state are met without jeopardizing the services our residents rely on.

Anyone can access our budget anytime with ease by visiting OpenGov.

Workforce development continues to be a priority, and I am especially proud of the advancements made at the Mesa County Workforce Center. By expanding initiatives and strengthening partnerships with organizations like the Business Incubator, we have provided valuable mentorship and workforce training opportunities. The Tell Your Story Once initiative development within our Department of Human Services and Workforce Center has been a game-changer, ensuring that residents seeking assistance – whether for job training, resume building, certifications or GED programs – can access all necessary resources in one place, making economic self-sufficiency more attainable.

As we enter 2025, my commitment to advancing pragmatic, results-driven policies remains stronger than ever. Whether it’s protecting our water, supporting agriculture, lowering taxes, removing red tape, strengthening public safety or driving economic growth, my focus is on delivering real solutions that enhance the quality of life for Mesa County residents.

Over the past two years, we have made significant progress in key areas that directly impact our community. While this is not an exhaustive list of our accomplishments, these highlights reflect the priorities I set when I first ran for office: Ensuring government works for the people it serves. One of my biggest commitments has been to invite our neighbors into local government, not only to keep residents informed, but to empower them to engage, provide input and help shape the future of our community.

Sharing these accomplishments isn’t just about recognizing progress. It’s about strengthening the partnership between elected officials and the citizens we serve. With continued collaboration, we will ensure Mesa County remains a solutions-oriented community.

It is an honor to serve as your commissioner, and I look forward to another year of working alongside you to build a strong and prosperous future.

Bobbie Daniel is a Mesa County Commissioner, representing District 2.