Wellington staff brief candidates on governance, budget calendar and major projects ahead of April election

Town staff hosted a candidate orientation for people running in the April 7, 2026 board of trustees election, briefing prospective trustees on town operations, legal constraints, budget timetables and priority projects.

The town administrator opened the session by describing the event’s purpose: “This is your opportunity to meet the individual staff members,” and stressed that the orientation is intended to give candidates a practical sense of how the town operates if they are elected. Staff introduced department responsibilities, current workforce numbers and near‑term priorities.

Why it matters: Because Wellington is a statutory town operating under Colorado law and the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), the board’s budget and any new local tax questions are constrained; trustees shape policy but staff implements it and prepares the budget for board consideration.

Town clerk Hannah Hill walked attendees through meeting procedures and legal requirements, explaining when ordinances, resolutions and motions are used and noting that the board “also acts as the local liquor licensing authority” and at times as the library board. She cautioned trustees not to conduct town business via email or other informal channels, saying written record is subject to open records requests and that gatherings of three or more trustees where business may be discussed must be posted as open meetings.

Deputy town administrator Kelly Hodling outlined the budget calendar and training schedule: strategic‑planning sessions with a facilitator will follow the election, staff will seek board priorities for 2027, an October 2 budget workday is planned, budget presentation is expected at the Oct. 13 regular meeting, utility rate consideration on Oct. 27 and a possible adoption on Nov. 10. Hodling also flagged the Cleveland Avenue construction as a major 2026 capital project and described staff outreach plans for businesses during construction.

Finance director Nick Reed David described recent fiscal work and reforms, saying the town has completed audits for fiscal years 2021–2024, received a GFOA distinguished budget award and is preparing to present revenue projections and a revenue‑forecasting model during budget development.

Staff from major departments summarized operations and near‑term plans. Alex Diaz, IT manager, said the town’s “primary goal is to move away from contracted IT services and bring everything inhouse,” and described planned network consolidation and expanded cybersecurity training. Megan Smith, deputy director for utilities, summarized water and wastewater operations and compliance work: the utilities group manages roughly 70 miles of water distribution lines, over 50 miles of wastewater collection, more than 4,000 meters and 500+ hydrants, produces “over 300 million gallons of water annually,” and is working through new monitoring and reporting after recent plant expansions; she also noted recent power outages that have affected operations.

Other highlights: the town clerk’s office will implement a new records‑management program approved in the 2026 budget and audit Highland Cemetery records with optional cemetery software; parks and recreation will pursue a parks master plan and a community center feasibility study; planning and building staff described development review, building inspections and a new business development manager post; public works outlined a life‑cycle approach to infrastructure and street/drainage responsibilities.

Next steps: staff recommended candidates attend scheduled trainings — including a May 14–15 board development retreat and a CML conference in late June — and invited attendees to meet staff for follow‑up questions after the presentation. The board is expected to make liaison and commission appointments at a meeting late in April once the new trustees are seated.