County staff asked the Board of County Commissioners to approve a schedule of budget work sessions and discussed preparatory steps for possible ballot measures, including a lodging-tax proposal and other revenue questions.

Finance and administration staff proposed a series of budget work sessions: a preliminary work session on Sept. 16, a preliminary budget submittal to the state by Oct. 7, and follow-up work sessions Oct. 22, Nov. 5 and Nov. 19. Commissioners agreed to the timeline and asked staff to circulate calendar invites.

Commissioner Kara and administration staff reported there is $20,000 in a 2025 budget line for professional services (polling) that could be carried forward or placed in the 2026 budget as a placeholder if the board decides to pursue a ballot measure. The board discussed lodging-tax timing, and staff said that polling at this point is too late for an immediate ballot but that the county should prepare a public FAQ to explain potential measures. Staff said the county can prepare an FAQ administratively (using non-county time and resources for citizen committees after an official ballot decision) but must comply with TABOR and anti-lobbying rules once a ballot question is officially before voters.

Staff also noted the TABOR "blue book" (ballot notice) requires financial information and that pro and con statements for the ballot are submitted by eligible electors; an administrative FAQ can help answer constituent questions but must be written and reviewed with legal counsel for compliance. Commissioners asked staff to draft the FAQ and to bring any recommended polling or match funding proposals into the 2026 budget discussions if the board decides to move forward.

Separately, staff noted a pending affordable-housing administrator contract with a December 1 start might be ready for governing-body action next month, and that the county is coordinating with partner municipalities and Home Trust on operations.