El Paso County Public Works budget request grows by $1 million over previous year

There was cause for concern for some because of actions by county commissioner’s this week, approving raises for themselves as part of the budget process for the next fiscal year. But the pay increase is small in comparison to increases for departments like public works, all while aiming to not increase taxes.

“We submitted approximately a $34 million budget request,” Public Works Director Pat Adauto said. “That includes a total of 14 new positions, 3 are re-grades, and 11 are new positions.”

The public works department is looking at tackling more than ever before. As a result, the budget request is asking for nearly a million dollars more, mostly in new and upgraded employee positions to make it happen.

“They’re essential to do better at what we’re doing and to cover areas that we’re currently not doing,” Adauto said.

County commissioners have put an increasing focus in services for the urbanized parts of the county growing outside of any city’s limits. The department has grown from a budget just under $21 million for the 2015 fiscal year to the proposed $34 million for 2017.

“It’s everything from maintenance to plan review and inspection to graffiti cleanup, eradication to better planning for transportation programs and for rural planning initiatives,” Adauto said.

Some parts of the departments budget requests have been approved by commissioners so far while others haven’t been addressed yet or require further review. Commissioners will have to approve the more than $300 million full budget before the start of the fiscal year in October.