Clear Creek staff set public hearing and adoption dates, outline $1.9M general‑fund deficit and capital focus

Clear Creek County staff asked the Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 21 to set two formal dates in the 2026 budget process and described the county’s current financial picture: a proposed public hearing for the combined budget on Nov. 4 and a special meeting and adoption date on Dec. 9.

Staff (Interim County Manager Colton and finance staff) summarized a budget that they characterized as an iterative planning document. The budget materials circulated to commissioners showed a proposed general‑fund shortfall of about $1.9 million for 2026 — an improvement from earlier projections but still a structural deficit. Staff said a large portion of the projected shortfall reflects capital and major‑maintenance needs and emphasized the difference between one‑time capital maintenance spending and ongoing operating (year‑over‑year) expenses. Staff recommended that the board use reserves strategically to smooth the transition while addressing long‑term structural balance.

Notable items and timeline: staff proposed a series of four budget workshops between the meeting and adoption, with the first workshop focused on capital improvement projects and revenue scheduled tentatively for Oct. 28. Staff said the county intends to refine operating projections, particularly volatile fee‑based revenues such as lodging tax; they also noted substantial grant revenue flows (the packet lists about $10 million across funds) that the county currently uses to support service delivery and warned that grant sustainability differs greatly by source (formula versus discretionary federal/state grants).

Capital and facilities: staff said about $1.1 million of the proposed deficit was for major‑maintenance capital needs in the general fund and suggested prioritizing capital maintenance items (maintain existing assets to avoid higher long‑term operating costs) and deferring or financing capital expansion where appropriate. Commissioners asked for an acceleration of the county’s facilities assessment (staff said they would likely accelerate the study into Q1 given recent basement flooding at county facilities) and for clearer major‑maintenance forecasts by facility. Staff also clarified that the county could use fund balance (reserves) as a controlled runway rather than immediate austerity measures.

Votes taken: the board voted to set Nov. 4, 2025 as the public‑hearing date and Dec. 9, 2025 as the special meeting to adopt the combined budget and mill levy. Commissioners and staff scheduled follow‑up workshops for capital, operations and final wrap‑up meetings before adoption.

Ending: Commissioners instructed staff to return with updated revenue and expense spreadsheets for the planned workshops and to continue public outreach; staff said they would provide more granular capital‑maintenance data and accelerate the facilities evaluation.