El Paso County is planning a renewed focus on infrastructure and public safety and hopes to give property owners some financial relief, according to a Wednesday news release from the county.
The El Paso County Services Department presented the plan during Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, outlining a $530.8 million preliminary budget that includes funding for road construction and resurfacing, storm-water improvement, a financial boost for the county’s judicial and public safety systems, and an $8.25 million TABOR refund.
Road construction and safety
As part of a multi-year plan to address a backlog of road improvement and construction projects, the provisional budget includes a one-time, $12 million allocation to increase next year’s road and bridge funding to $41.3 million.
TABOR refund
Under the proposal, residents would see an equal share of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights refund on their property tax bill — an estimated $36 per residential property, officials said. The county also announced a 13.7% reduction in the 2025 property tax mill levy due to TABOR, according to the release.
County Courthouse
The county expects new judges to be added to the 4th Judicial District, officials said. In preparation for their anticipated arrival, the budget would allocate $4.5 million to increase capacity at the El Paso County Courthouse.
Storm-water systems
For the several storm-water improvement projects on the horizon, the budget would allow for a $4.2 million allotment, the release stated.
Public safety
The county’s various public safety departments — including the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management and Justice Services Department — would receive $1.4 million in funding in 2025.
Emergency reserves
County commissioners and El Paso County residents, learned the value of an emergency fund when a June 2023 storm turned roadways into rivers and wreaked catastrophic infrastructure damage.
At the Aug. 13 county commissioners’ meeting, Public Works Director Kevin Mastin said a future storm event is inevitable, and the county needs to be ready.
“We don’t know when. But we know it’s going to happen.”
In such a case or other unforeseen circumstances, the proposed budget would maintain $9.23 million in emergency reserves.
The budget process is composed of several meetings, during which each department will make a “critical needs” presentation to the board. Residents can attend the hearings and offer feedback on budget allocations. The remaining budget hearings are scheduled for Oct. 15, Oct. 22, Nov. 15 and Dec. 10.
“Guided by our organization’s strategic plan, we aim to focus on infrastructure, service quality, community trust and health and safety,” Chief Financial Officer Nikki Simmons said in a statement.
“This proposed budget meets those objectives while allowing room for the organization to make responsible decisions regarding staffing, project focus and planning for the future.”
To view the full preliminary budget, visit the El Paso County website at https://admin.elpasoco.com/financial-services/budget-finance/county-budget.