County commissioners propose exit from Pueblo Regional building IGA; city officials warn of risks

Pueblo — County commissioners on Monday introduced a plan to end the county’s part of the intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Pueblo Regional Building and form a county-run building department, saying the change would improve accountability and speed permitting. City council members and regional building officials urged more study, warned of service disruptions and pressed commissioners to extend the IGA notice period.

The proposal was presented by Commissioner Zach Swearingen, who said county leaders intend to absorb some building permits and inspectors into county government and create a closer alignment of planning, zoning and building services. "This transition is about building a transparent, accountable, and well coordinated system that better serves residents, contractors, and businesses," Swearingen said.

Supporters, including Commissioner McPeters and others, argued that some developers and homeowners encounter delays under the current regional structure and that placing county permitting inside county government would allow a "one-stop-shop" approach for county projects. McPeters said the change would affect only county permitting and that city permitting would continue inside the city if the county exits the IGA.

City council members and regional building advocates raised multiple concerns. Council President Nayler and councilors warned that an abrupt exit could leave the city without coordinated services, create duplicate permitting or force contractors to pull dual permits. Mayor Heather Graham said city departments lack capacity to absorb a full building department within six months and urged careful planning to avoid permitting delays.

City and county leaders also debated the timing and process. The existing IGA renews annually and may be terminated by a party giving written notice at least six months before the end of the calendar year; termination becomes effective December 31 of the year notice is given. Commissioners acknowledged that, legally, a county notice would create a six-month transition window. Swearingen said the county has a plan and estimates it would bring 10–12 county-facing jobs in-house while regional would continue serving remaining permits, but he did not provide full budget detail at the meeting.

Regional building staff and some council members stressed safety and continuity. Councilor Dennis, a longtime former regional employee, noted regional building’s role in maintaining high fire-protection ratings and professional inspections; he asked whether the Regional Building Authority board had been involved. Swearingen and county presenters said regional staff and the board had not been part of the county’s early internal discussions and that the intent was not to eliminate inspections or licensing, only to reorganize oversight.

Several city councilors asked for more data before a decision: where responsibilities and employees would land, the estimated fiscal impact including fringe and office costs, and how certificates of occupancy backlogs and permit delays are distributed across city, county and regional processes. Commissioner Swearingen said the county has held two weeks of outreach conversations with developers and contractors and will hold a public town hall the next evening at the Art Center at 5:30 p.m.

City and county officials suggested procedural next steps: some councilors proposed amending the current IGA to extend the city’s notice window or otherwise delay an exit so both governments could study impacts together. Mayor Graham offered to work with regional building to identify process improvements whether or not the county proceeds. No formal vote or termination notice was taken at the meeting.

The discussion highlighted competing priorities: county leaders emphasized removing an extra governance level they said impedes a coordinated permitting experience; city leaders and regional supporters emphasized continuity, safety and the risk of job losses or service interruption during a transition. Commissioners and councilors agreed more study and direct meetings with regional staff are needed before any formal action.

What’s next

County commissioners planned a town hall for June 17 at the Art Center to solicit public input and present details. Commissioners acknowledged the IGA’s six-month notice requirement and the practical effect that a decision to withdraw would take time to implement. City staff said they would return with more fiscal and operational detail if the county moves forward toward formal notice.

Speakers quoted and who spoke in the meeting are listed below. No formal motions or votes on terminating the IGA occurred during the council session.