County work family strives, celebrates together

Editor’s note: Area leaders associated with taxpayer-funded entities were invited to write guest columns summarizing 2017 from their perspectives. Amber Hamilton is Roosevelt County manager.

In government, just like in life, there are triumphs and struggles. The real story is the people, who are often referred to as our work family. This work family has chosen a path of service.

Roosevelt County started 2017 on a positive note by receiving the Detention Center Accreditation. The detention staff had focused on this goal over the prior year to achieve it. Facility operations have been strengthened, detainee care enhanced, and the culture has changed.

The summer storms proved to be both a blessing and a struggle. While we all desperately needed and appreciated the moisture, it proved disastrous for roadways. Following the August storms, the Roosevelt County Commission declared a state of emergency. After many months of working with the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the governor signed her order and will be providing emergency financial assistance to the county to help with road repair.

The road department has responded to various emergency situations, weather disasters, and built many miles of improved roadways, all while working to maintain over 1,200 miles of county roads.

Daily operations within the courthouse are so important, but can be overlooked. The clerk’s office facilitated election events, recorded numerous documents and assisted hundreds of people with research and filing needs. The clerk’s office worked closely with the probate judge and residents with probate needs. The assessor and treasurer’s offices continued to serve property owners with valuations and tax collections. All of these committed areas staff their offices each day ready to assist customers.

Commissioners focused on improving and implementing numerous policies and local ordinances to strengthen county operations and efficiency. They also focused several months on budget activities and again adopted a fiscally conservative and positive operational fiscal-year budget.

All of the offices and departments have worked closely with administration, finance and the external audit firm to improve financial operations. We were able to resolve 11 of the 14 findings in one year and have resolved the remaining three findings this past fiscal year. There are always opportunities for continued improvement and this family hasn’t shied away from any challenge.

The sheriff’s office met with district court leaders to hear their security concerns. The sheriff presented those to commissioners and secured a new position allowing them to provide the requested security presence. The sheriff also endured several legal challenges and received favorable court rulings allowing his team to confidently continue in its daily service of protecting residents.

As we embrace 2018, these offices and departments will continue to provide numerous services behind the scenes whether it’s hosting and helping with the county fair, providing, addressing or planning services, healthcare assistance, and countless other tasks. We have celebrated and mourned together this past year and will continue to serve as a family. In honoring this season, I felt it was much more important to recognize the family that makes Roosevelt County function than to individually try to list the many accomplishments made in 2017.

Contact Amber Hamilton at: [email protected]