BCC Approved the Service Plan for a Conifer Park and Recreation District 

The Board of County Commissioners approved the proposed service plan for a park and recreation district in Conifer and the exclusions for those property owners who do not wish to be a part of that possible special district. The Board made it very clear when voting that what they were approving was a service plan, not the establishment of a park and recreation district. Once approved by the BCC, the service plan goes to the district judge, and if passed there, is allowed to be put on the next ballot for a vote of the citizens as to whether or not the park and recreation district will be formed.

The purpose of a service plan is to outline the services a district has the ability to provide. The actual services provided will depend on desires of the property owners within the district boundary, available funding and approval of the District's board. A service plan will also indicate funding sources and identify the boundaries of the district. It was shown at the hearing that there is sufficient existing and projected need for organizing service in the area to be serviced by the proposed special district.

There were approximately 40 citizens who testified to let the commissioners know their reasons for being for or against this case. Among the reasons those against it gave was the idea that, at some point if this special district gets formed, it would be asking to impose a tax to help pay for it. Others stated that they felt that a park and recreation district isn't something that the community of Conifer needs nor something its residents would regularly use. For those that were if favor of the service plan, they stated that it would be nice to have an established community facility, that more programs for children and seniors are needed in the Conifer community and that they want the opportunity to go to the voters to choose whether or not to form a special district.

Many of those who oppose the formation of the special district asked to have their property excluded from the district. Upon his motion to approve the case, Commissioner McCasky asked staff to incorporate the request by any property owners for any further exclusions that were brought forward at the hearing.

To see full staff and applicant's presentations, visit our Media-on-Demand page to watch the video of the hearing or view the presentation under the "Documents" drop down for Nov. 16.

2011 Proposed Budget Brought to Citizens

Jefferson County's Administrator Ralph Schell and Budget Director Tina Caputo presented the 2011 Proposed Budget to the Board of County Commissioners at the public hearing, followed by a time provided for public comment.

Schell explained that elected officials, departments and divisions of the county had to make cuts in this economic climate, but the overall goal of the county is still to provide the citizens of the county the core services at the levels they expect.

Two citizens made comments focused on taking care not to increase the number of employees with the tighter years projected for the county budget ahead.

The adoption of the budget will occur at the December 7 Board of County Commissioners' Hearing.

The complete proposed budget can be viewed on the Budget Management page, including the detailed message, overview and department's operating budgets.

BCC Shows Support for Central Government Hub Land Purchase 

As part of Jefferson County's initiative to save taxpayer dollars and enhance customer service by consolidating County services into regional service hubs, the Board of County Commissioners has given tentative agreement to staff to move forward with negotiations in order to purchase a 148,064-square-foot building located in Lakewood, former used as a Target building. The building would function as the County's primary central government service center.

Potential programs being considered for this location include the Public Health administration and clinic services, various public safety related programs and potential human service functions.  County staff will be working with potential occupants over the next few months to finalize the operational needs for each of the identified tenants.

The vacant Target building is located just north of Colfax and between Simms and Kipling Streets, as well as being in close proximity to a soon-to-be-built light rail station, providing convenience for citizens if they need to access the various county services.

The County remains committed to examining ways to consolidate services into primary service centers.  Efforts to reduce facility expenses and operational costs remain a primary objective of the County moving forward, in addition this facility will address many of the core infrastructure recommendations presented to the Board of County Commissioners by the county's Citizen Budget Review Panel back in August of 2009. 

BCC Approves Provision of Transportation Services to Seniors 

The Board of County Commissioners approved the signing of a first amendment to the contract with the Seniors' Resource Center, in the amount of $484,000, for the provision of transportation services to the aged in Jefferson County. The Seniors' Resource Center provides transportation services for social and recreational services, meal sites and medical services from their facility located at 3227 Chase Street in Denver.