Custer County commissioners unanimously approved $331,839.06 in expenditures Tuesday while confronting a looming emergency services crisis during their January 28 meeting in Westcliffe. Florence Fire Department announced it will no longer provide coverage to county areas, contradicting statements made two years ago and forcing officials to scramble for alternative arrangements. The county faces a $40,000 shortfall in E911 funding obligations with Fremont County, prompting discussions to dissolve both counties’ emergency dispatch authorities and create a combined seven-member board giving Custer County two seats. The county’s largest expenditure was a $178,402 Road and Bridge Department water truck, while commissioners also approved new $600 penalties for unauthorized culvert installations and contracted $10,750 in engineering services for courthouse sidewalk construction. Department of Human Services building construction remains frozen due to state and court orders.
Emergency Services Discussions
Commissioner Paul Vogelsong said officials will meet Wednesday evening to explore alternatives with the county clinic and local fire department. Commissioner Lucas Epp reported the proposed E911 consolidation would provide Custer County two seats and Fremont County five seats, while offering enhanced GIS services and stronger negotiating power with telecommunications providers.
Commissioner Reports
Epp reported the county budgeted $30,000 for weed control and applied for a $15,000 grant as Fremont County discontinues spraying services. The county is seeking an individual contractor from the Cordova area for weed management.
Infrastructure updates included plans for major website changes over the next 3-6 months, enhanced security measures with hardwired connections replacing Wi-Fi, and separate networks for the Sheriff’s Office and courthouse. The county is implementing Starlink backup systems and emergency power backup systems.
Epp said officials met with architects for courthouse renovation planning, with a ballot initiative and kickoff meeting scheduled within two weeks. Cost updates are needed due to inflation since original estimates.
Financial Actions
Major expenditures included $29,000 for employee health insurance, $15,665 for election services, $9,875 for Road and Bridge tires, $9,500 for dust control, $9,281 for road base materials, and $7,350 for Village of Silvercliff survey work. The board approved using a $300,000 CDOT grant for ADA-compliant courthouse sidewalk construction, with completion required by December 1, 2026.
Commissioners adopted Resolution 26-06 establishing a $600 penalty for unauthorized culvert installations, double the standard $300 permit cost, and a $450 culvert clean-out fee for driveway access permits.
Policy Changes
The board adopted Resolution 26-05 requiring two-person verification for all fund collections, daily logs for departments collecting funds, one-week maximum deposit frequency, locked storage for cash and checks, and cross-reference systems for audit trails. County Attorney Dan Slater reported no items for the meeting.
Agenda Adjustments
Commissioners postponed a workforce housing developer item to the February 11 meeting and delayed an Agri Hub lease agreement pending attorney review. The grant-funded project would provide space for farmers, ranchers and greenhouse producers to sell local agricultural products.
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