Arapahoe County OKs asset number for customized Open Spaces software to track access requests

Arapahoe County commissioners on Tuesday signaled approval to create a fixed asset number to acquire a customized software solution for the Open Spaces division to manage and track growing requests to access county property.

Ginny Pangino, Open Space Director, told the Board the department has seen a rise in requests to traverse county-owned land for reasons ranging from pipelines to wildlife surveys, with many tied to High Line Canal activity. Staff evaluated county-standard platforms and favored customizing an Accela-style system because county staff already have in-house expertise to support it and because it avoids continual consultant costs. "We are needing a new customized software asset, in large part to handle the new requests for accesses that we're getting related to Highline Canal," Pangino said.

Pangino said this would be the first time Open Spaces requested a dedicated customized software asset and asked the board to approve the accounting number so procurement could proceed. Commissioners thanked staff for coordinating with Finance and for seeking the asset number ahead of purchase. The chair counted five thumbs-up from commissioners indicating immediate support to assign the asset number and move forward.

Staff did not provide a dollar amount for the purchase in the presentation, and commissioners noted finance had been involved in the review. The board did not take a formal roll-call vote at the study session; staff will proceed with the accounting setup and subsequent procurement steps.

Next steps: staff will finalize the asset number and proceed with procurement and configuration of the customized solution; the Open Spaces division and IT will coordinate implementation and support responsibilities.