El Paso County

The meeting included program updates for PY2024 projects, noting budget increases for Brothers Redevelopment and extensions for EPC Parks and the Town of Ramah projects. The board discussed the cancellation of the Ellicott Open Door Community Church project and the impact of returning those funds on the county's timeliness report with HUD. A comprehensive overview of open 2025 projects was also presented. For the upcoming 2026 January Open Application Cycle, timelines were explained, including the CDBG Applicants' webinar. The board reviewed the progress on the 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan goals and confirmed the review process for February through April 2026, during which Ms. Howell will serve as temporary presiding officer in the Chair's absence. Other business included plans to expand CDBG outreach and a report on the HUD Region VIII Administrator's visit to Manitou Springs.

The meeting began with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. A key action involved a motion to continue agenda items 5B6 and 5B7 to March 10th, 2026. The board then approved the consent calendar items 5A through 5G (excluding the continued items). A proclamation recognizing National School Choice Week was read and approved, highlighting the importance of educational options for families and community vibrancy. Following guest comments regarding school choice advocacy, commissioners shared personal endorsements for educational freedom. The session concluded with elected officials/liaison reports, specifically a briefing by the Clerk and Recorder on the statewide Core 21 transition, which modernizes the motor vehicle system replacing the legacy 'drives' platform.

The meeting commenced with an invocation by Rabbi Jay Sherwood from Temple Shalom, following a proclamation presented by the County Commissioners in support of the State of Israel. The Commissioners also moved to excuse Commissioner Bremer from attendance. The consent calendar items (5a through 5j1 sub 5) were approved. Under elected official reports, the Clerk and Recorder provided an update on the 2023 coordinated election, detailing ballot intake and processing status, and voter registration procedures. Commissioner Williams reported on a visit to Forge Evolution, an organization that evolved from Teen Court, and discussed her light schedule due to the fifth week. Commissioner Vandorff also visited Forge Evolution, noting their expanded focus on assisting families proactively to prevent children from entering the court system, and reported on guest lecturing at UCCS regarding local government cooperation, and upcoming committee meetings including the Airport Advisory Commission, Peak Vista Community Health Center breakfast, and the Pikes Peer Bust Foundation celebration honoring local military. Commissioner Gonzalez discussed her schedule, including the Board of Health meeting, presenting at the Mayor's Civic Leaders Fellowship with Commissioner Vandorff, the Fountain Valley Senior Center meeting, the Region 16 Opioid Council meeting, and the annual required jail tour. Commissioner Gonzalez also noted the Board's official position against Proposition HH. The Chief Financial Officer led the second day of the 2024 budget hearings focusing on critical needs, with presentations scheduled from the County Treasurer, Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office, Coroner, County Attorney, and the Citizens Outreach Group. The County Treasurer provided an update on operating indicators, noting an increase in tax statements due to community growth, a slight dip in delinquent tax notices for the odd year, changes in property tax payment processing trends, and details regarding tax lien sales, including the upcoming mobile home tax lean sale.

The meeting included a detailed review of asset allocation compliance, noting the portfolio remained close to target allocations with no outsized tilts. Performance discussion highlighted quarterly results (up 2.1%, lagging the policy index of 2.5%) versus strong one-year (portfolio up 27% vs. index up 25.8%) and ten-year performance where the portfolio outpaced the index. A key discussion point was the fixed income portfolio's outperformance due to lower interest rate sensitivity (duration) and higher credit orientation, contrasting sharply with the negative performance of the standard aggregate bond index. Real assets were the worst-performing segment for the quarter, driven partly by collapses in inflation expectations in the first half of 2020. The Executive Director's report covered financial status, showing the unfunded liability decreased to $219 million and the funded ratio improved to 67% as of March month-end. Staff also completed an extensive review of the 1967 Master Plan document to address inconsistencies and ambiguities. The Board tabled a vote on plan design changes to the next meeting to ensure full voting membership presence and completion of stakeholder consultations, including meetings with County Commissioners and the County Administrator.

The regular board meeting commenced with an invocation. Key agenda items included handling staff emergency items (none reported) and changes to the agenda, such as continuing Item 10 to February 17th. The consent calendar items (5A through 5H) were approved. During elected officials' reports, Commissioner Weissong detailed participation in various external economic development and military activation events, and noted upcoming meetings. Commissioner Nelson reported on the Opioid Abatement Council's discussion regarding facilitator services, noting the decision to utilize El Paso County resources for these services following unsatisfactory performance by previous contractors. Commissioner Applegate reported on attending a business snapshot event and the Front Range Passenger Rail meeting, noting public concern regarding the pace of the rail planning and potential ballot initiatives. Discussions also covered the relocation of a defense contractor to Peak Innovation Parkway. Commissioner Applegate and Weissong also commented on the challenges posed by state legislation, unfunded mandates, and economic competitiveness concerns, referencing the situation in Colorado. Public comment featured a representative from Citizens Project discussing redistricting, opposition to a state bill that would eliminate the board's self-redistricting ability, and an offer of volunteer assistance for developing a transparent redistricting process. The meeting also included a non-action report on the 2026 Paving and Preservation Program, detailing the management of the roadway network based on Pavement Condition Index (PCI) scores, emphasizing road preservation over immediate rehabilitation.