CENTRAL CITY - The Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) held a budget work session on October 29, 2024, at the Gilpin County Community Center. This in-person session focused on information gathering and questions from the Board, with public comments excluded. Draft budget details are accessible online for public reference at https://gilpincounty.colorado.gov/departments-offices/finance. 

The updated budget for Parks and Recreation covers revenue, salary, benefits, and operational lines, reflecting a structured approach to budget management. The Board intends to present a proposal at a regular meeting to define reserve accounts more clearly and foster open discussion about them.

Concerns were raised about the lack of documentation regarding the origins and purposes of certain reserve accounts, which were inherited from prior boards without formal resolutions.

A recurring issue involves limited vehicle availability across departments during peak demand periods, such as elections. The Board agreed on a yearly vehicle replacement budget of around $500,000, allowing flexibility to reallocate funds based on assessed needs for vehicles. 

Additionally, the BoCC approved a $50,000 budget request for a pool vehicle for the courthouse and will consider authorizing the purchase of three new vehicles next year based on need and available funds.

The startup and recurring costs were discussed for internet services, particularly for the ambulance service. The Board decided on a cost-sharing model, with the ambulance service covering 50% of these expenses, subject to further negotiation. 

The lease for the Gilpin Ambulance Authority (GAA) includes a 5% adjustment over the next three years, though the actual increase may be closer to 1%. Ongoing discussions with the GAA will finalize the cost-sharing terms and reflect updates in the budget.

The team must verify the current status of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to meet new state funding requirements in 2025. This includes confirming the progress made by Melissa Lewis on the EOP, which was last approved in 2022 and requires updates every three years.

Engineering costs for the South Beaver Creek project are expected to exceed the budget by $100,000. $300,000 was initially budgeted this year. 

Despite higher costs, the project will begin this year, and additional funds will be budgeted next year. The Board plans to contract with an engineering firm and hold a public meeting to gather community input on the project. Repair costs for the County’s aging snowcat are estimated at around $100,000. A new snowcat would cost $350,000, but in any case wouldn’t be available until late 2025. 

Some Board members suggested that, given the high maintenance costs of the current 47-year-old snowcat, purchasing a new one might be more prudent. Concerns were also raised about the snowcat’s reliability during emergencies, where its functionality is critical for first responders.

The BoCC agreed to conduct a thorough evaluation of the snowcat’s condition before deciding on repairs or replacement. The radiator replacement alone is estimated at $20,000, and experts who regularly operate snowcats will be consulted for their insight into repair options.

Because there have been so many changes to the budget draft, Finance Director Joe Allaire stated, “We need to provide the Board with a new, updated version of the budget.” The BoCC then scheduled a follow-up budget meeting for Wednesday, November 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Courthouse, where the revised budget will be reviewed in its entirety.

The next regular meeting of the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners is scheduled for November 12, 2024, at 9 a.m. and will be held in person at the Historic Courthouse, 203 Eureka Street, Central City, and online via Zoom.