BOCC Meeting, July 21, 2026
Main Subject
The primary focus of the July 21, 2026 special meeting of the Custer County Board of County Commissioners was initiating the process for a Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) emergency funding grant to support Aspen Acres Fire recovery, along with preliminary discussion of landfill fee waivers for fire-related slash and deadfall.
Summary
This special afternoon meeting on July 21, 2026, was convened primarily to address immediate recovery-capacity needs arising from the Aspen Acres Fire. Randy Smee, DOLA Regional Manager, presented options for emergency recovery funding. Past disaster experiences (including the Spring Fire) showed the value of dedicated recovery support—either a temporary staff position or, preferably in this case, a consulting firm with specialized expertise in FEMA grants, debris management, hazard mitigation, long-term recovery coordination, and related tasks.The board discussed a potential grant of up to approximately $300,000 (zero or low county match possible, drawn from severance tax funds that would not affect PILT). Commissioners and staff noted that the full scope of county responsibility (roads, infrastructure, septic inspections, permitting surge, watershed work, etc.) was not yet fully known pending ongoing damage assessments. After extended discussion clarifying process versus amount, the board voted to authorize staff to begin the formal process of requesting DOLA emergency recovery funding, with a specific dollar amount and scope to be refined once better damage data are available (assessments continuing the following day).A second agenda item opened consideration of temporarily waiving landfill fees for slash and deadfall generated by the fire; the board indicated a more detailed workshop would likely be needed to address volume, logistics, and site capacity.
Key Points
DOLA Emergency Recovery Funding
- DOLA offered support for post-disaster recovery capacity (modeled on prior Colorado wildfire responses).
- Preferred approach: contract with an experienced recovery consulting firm rather than a single temporary employee (faster start, broader skill set, no long-term housing/relocation issues).
- Potential funding up to ~$300,000 (illustrative figure based on comparable counties); zero or modest match; sourced to avoid PILT impact.
- Scope could include FEMA/public-assistance grant management, debris management, flood/watershed coordination, planning & zoning surge support, and general recovery coordination.
- Board action: Approved moving forward with a formal request to DOLA to begin the emergency-funding process. Specific amount, match, and detailed scope to be determined after further damage assessment and brought back for final acceptance.
Landfill Fees for Fire-Related Material
- Item placed on the agenda in response to public inquiries about disposing of slash and deadfall.
- Board recognized the potential volume and the need for careful planning (site capacity, safety, duration of any waiver).
- Consensus that a dedicated workshop would be appropriate before any formal fee-waiver decision.
Context Notes
- Damage assessments (structures and infrastructure) were still underway; exact county cost exposure remained unknown at the time of the meeting.
- Planning & Zoning already seeing increased inquiry volume from property owners interested in rebuilding.
- Meeting emphasized “never waste a good disaster” as an opportunity to build long-term resilience while addressing immediate recovery needs.
Summarized Transcription
OpeningBill Cand (Chairman):
“Good afternoon everybody… I’ll call this meeting to order. I am Bill Cand, Custer County Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. Today is Tuesday, July 21st, 2026… Please stand for the pledge.”DOLA Presentation / DiscussionRandy Smee (DOLA):
“In response to past disasters… we’ve… funded… a recovery… position… or… a recovery firm… This is about the max we have… around $150,000… the grants for 300,000… zero match… recovery firm makes sense… sample RFP… for hiring a consulting firm…”Commissioners clarified they could not yet commit to a specific dollar amount:
“We don’t know what we’re into yet… We don’t know what we’re paying for our portion… tomorrow we’re going to go get a real good head count…”Motion“I move that we… start the process to apply for a DOLA emergency funding grant… once we understand the magnitude of the need.”Motion seconded and approved.Landfill Fees“Consideration of waiving the landfill fees for slash and deadfall… People are asking… we may need to have a serious workshop…”
