Alina Bell, Grand Countyfinance director, told commissioners the county prepared a draft 2026 budget message that will accompany the final budget filing and be posted on the county website.

"Today I have for you a draft budget message. It is for you to review and, discuss and approve," Bell said as she introduced the materials to commissioners.

Bell told the board that after a series of small changes to departmental requests the county still faces a large preliminary deficit for 2026. The updated deficit presented to the board was about $17.49 million, with two primary drivers called out: construction costs for EMS Station 1 and next-year debt service tied to certificates of participation (COP).

Budget details presented to the board included an anticipated construction spending profile for EMS Station 1 (the presentation attributed roughly $17.157 million to construction) and a COP-related debt-service increase of about $1.8 million in 2026. Bell said the county has drawn COP proceeds in the current year to fund building work and that the timing of those receipts and expenses affects the budget-year deficit.

Bell also asked the board to approve a batch of vouchers. "We have a total of 64 payments for approval. The total is $999,915.54," she said. Notable items in that package she identified included a second interest payment on the countyCOPs (about $578,000) and $168,915.20 to Colorado Lining International for installation of a landfill liner; other routine monthly payments were also listed.

Commissioners moved and voted to approve the vouchers presented. It was noted on the record that Commissioner Regner was not in attendance.

Staff reported efforts to offset some capital spending with grant reimbursements including a DOLA reimbursement process expected to bring in portions of a $1.8 million DOLA award and a $85,000 grant from Freeport-McMoRan that will be used for furniture, fixtures and equipment in EMS Station 1 training and conference spaces.

The board did not adopt a final 2026 budget at the meeting; Bell asked commissioners to submit edits ahead of next-week signature and approval steps so the message and final numbers can be filed with the state.

Ending: The board scheduled further budget work and the final budget document for signature at a subsequent meeting.