Arapahoe County Q1 budget review: commissioners provisionally back 10 DA‑related positions as municipal domestic‑violence cases shift to county court

Arapahoe County finance staff presented a first‑quarter budget review at a study session and asked commissioners to approve a slate of supplemental appropriations and transfers, including staffing to support a transfer of domestic‑violence cases from municipal court to county court.

Jessica Safka of county finance reviewed the economic outlook and projections, telling the board the county projects general‑fund revenues of about $330.6 million for 2025 and an ending fund balance of roughly $168.7 million that year; she noted that if the revenue tied to ballot measure 1A is removed, the projected 2025 ending balance falls to about $100 million. Finance staff warned the board that changes to assessment rates after the special legislative session will likely make property‑tax revenue more volatile starting in 2026.

The session reviewed multiple supplemental requests. Highlights included a $300,000 appropriation to continue a county rental assistance program, a $9,850 transfer for a sheriff's floor scrubber, and a proposed $3 million transfer from the general fund to the capital expenditure fund to build a third courtroom in Courthouse 2 to handle increased case loads. Finance also presented requests tied to transition of domestic‑violence cases from municipal court with an estimated total impact to the general fund of about $3.8 million and 20 FTE in the near term; the ongoing impact was presented as about $2.3 million.

District Attorney Amy Padden described operational needs if the domestic‑violence caseload arrives as expected and urged commissioners to prioritize victim services. “Every single one of these domestic violence cases is a victim's rights case,” Padden said, emphasizing earlier contact, increased victim‑witness support and training for municipal law enforcement. Padden and others said victim‑witness staffing is a high priority because advocates perform outreach, connect victims with services and help preserve evidence and testimony.

A review committee (EBC) recommended funding nine of 16 requested FTE tied to the DA transition and suggested phasing hires; during the session commissioners signaled support for adding one more position to that recommendation, bringing the provisional total to 10 FTE to be brought forward with the other recommended supplementals. Commissioners also directed that the requests and EBC recommendations go to a public hearing on June 10 for formal action.

Staff and commissioners discussed several other funds: the capital expenditure fund carries reappropriations tied to the detention center medical expansion, the building maintenance fund requested a supplemental to cover fire‑panel upgrades at four locations (about $393,000), and social‑services projections reflect the county’s continued use of federal ARPA and other funding for rental assistance. Finance said it will track actual caseload and spending numbers and return with updates during the regular supplemental process if demand or cost differs from current projections.

The board did not take a final, binding budget vote at the study session; commissioners approved forwarding the recommended supplementals, with the additional DA staff position, to the June 10 public hearing for formal consideration.