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HARP urges earlier notice of county contributions; county attorney says IGA language is not a binding appropriation
Summary
Lynn Clark of HARP asked Pueblo County for earlier, predictable notification of county funding so the Riverwalk can budget maintenance; county attorney Braden Hirsch read IGA language and said the agreement’s appropriation language does not create a binding contractual obligation, and Commissioner Paula McPheeers said she will recuse herself from HARP funding votes because she serves on the HARP board.
Lynn Clark, representing HARP (the Riverwalk authority), told Pueblo County commissioners that HARP needs earlier notice of county contributions so it can plan maintenance and capital work. "Per the IGA, prior to August 20, I'm supposed to go to my board of directors and give them the layout and the plan for the next year," Clark said, adding that HARP has no operating reserves and runs on limited staff and contractor support.
City officials echoed the request for clarity and said the city recently added $200,000 from the Urban Renewal Authority to cover a current shortfall and cannot assume that level of supplemental funding for 2027. Commissioner Paula McPheeers, who serves on the HARP board, said she will recuse herself from any county funding decision for HARP: "I have to recuse myself of the funding decision for this particular group because I'm actually on the board." Interim County Attorney Braden Hirsch read and interpreted the IGA's appropriation language, saying the provisions state the allocation is a good‑faith expectation and "is not contractually obligating or binding on any party," and that the county cannot legally spend money it does not have. Commissioners and HARP agreed to exchange detailed line‑item budgets after HARP's August board meeting so county staff can evaluate the 2027 request.
