The following are some of the current issues occurring in the City of Cortez:
- Veteran’s Memorial Park – The sidewalk to the memorial has been poured and we are working on the final touches to the project. This project will allow better access for families and veterans who are disabled or mobility challenged. City staff is working to provide a bench in front of the memorial for visitors to enjoy. Additional improvements are being discussed.
- I wish to remind residents and business owners that the City of Cortez Community and Economic Development Department is hosting an outreach session tomorrow (July 13, 2022) at 2:30pm in this room. The topic of discussion is the possibility of allowing food trucks to operate in the central business district. The economic development staff have worked very hard to arrange this interactive opportunity and have reached out to CBD businesses and other interested parties to invite them to participate. We are looking forward to identifying the best course of action for our City on this topic.
- We received word this morning from our auditing firm that the 2019 audit is now complete and they are starting work to produce audit opinions for FY’s 2017, 2018, and 2019. This is an exciting time because completion of the 2019 audit effectively moves us past our high risk audits. The nightmare of the embezzlement that occurred is nearly over, and our financial records are better for it. I cannot express how thankful I am to our dedicated finance team (Lynette Reece and Sara Coffey) led by Finance Director Kelly Koskie, for all they have done to make this moment possible. I also wish to thank Atlas auditing firm for sticking with us during this very difficult process.
EMPLOYEE HIGHLIGHT
Efrain Vaquera continuously demonstrates a driven and committed work ethic throughout the airport. He is increasingly taking on more responsibility and workload while the airport grows. He has been tasked with several projects in aiding the airport to obtain higher standards and certifications, and understands the importance of pride and ownership, even during the tedious or mundane tasks. Aside from the occasional reminder or directive, Efrain takes plenty of initiative and is a great teammate. We are frequently complemented on the condition of the airfield by various operators, the majority of which is attributed to Efrain's mowing and upkeep. With a large growing family, caring for his father, and working a second job, he demonstrates great virtue, faith, and patience in his life. Efrain is known amongst the leadership team for making the best breakfast burritos in the four corners region. We are lucky to have someone of Efrain’s caliber to help maintain our airport.