BOCC Meeting, July 29, 2026 #2
Main Subject
The primary focus of the July 29, 2026 regular meeting of the Custer County Board of County Commissioners was ongoing Aspen Acres Fire recovery and post-fire flooding response, Road & Bridge restructuring, reduction of landfill fees for slash and deadfall, Sheriff’s Office compensation and equipment, and authorization to pursue multiple recovery and mitigation grants.
Summary
The July 29, 2026 BOCC meeting opened with extensive thanks to the community, volunteers (approximately 85 people who bagged and distributed sand), county staff, firefighters, and partnering agencies for their response to the Aspen Acres Fire (described as the second-largest in Colorado history by structure and land-mass impact) and the subsequent flooding. Commissioners highlighted road damage (including Copper Gulch and Wetmore-area roads), sandbag operations, and the need for continued recovery work.Key actions included:Reducing landfill fees for slash and deadfall from $10 to $5 per cubic yard to assist residents clearing fire-related debris.
Approving a budget-neutral pay adjustment for Sheriff’s Office deputies funded by the permanent elimination of two vacant positions (effective August 16; approved 2-1).
Authorizing the Sheriff’s Posse to purchase two used police Tahoes with existing donation funds.
Approving application for the COPS Hiring Grant (to continue supporting a School Resource Officer and Community Service Officer).
Authorizing pursuit of Homeland Security / fire-mitigation and recovery grants, with assistance to the new OEM director.
Approving accounts payable of approximately $199,321 and the May 2026 Treasurer’s report.
Adding an executive session for pending litigation strategy (no decisions to be made in session).
Moving the DOLA emergency recovery funding discussion to a special meeting the following week.
Road & Bridge is being restructured, with an acting road boss to be certified and the Wetmore facility designated as a satellite operations site.
Key Points
Fire & Flood Recovery
- Community sandbagging effort (85+ volunteers) and distribution of roughly 16–20 tons of sandbags.
- Significant road damage from post-fire flooding; priority assessments and repairs underway, including potential use of local contractors and possible reimbursement pathways.
- Continued coordination with OEM, fire resources, and neighboring entities.
Landfill Fees
- Slash and deadfall fees reduced from $10 to $5 per cubic yard (motion approved). Full waiver was not adopted due to operational costs; longer-term options (chipper placement, alternative sites, possible material reuse) to be explored.
Sheriff’s Office
- Deputy pay raises: funded entirely by eliminating two vacant positions (budget-neutral for current and future years under current structure). Effective August 16. Approved 2-1.
- Posse authorized to purchase two used police Tahoes ($5,000 each) from existing donation/member funds for Posse use only.
- Approval to apply for the COPS Hiring Grant (3-year federal support for SRO and Community Service Officer positions; 75% federal / 25% local + school share).
Grants & Other
- Authorization to pursue Homeland Security and related fire-mitigation/recovery grants (some deadlines imminent); OEM to take lead with interim support.
- Accounts payable: $199,320.81 approved.
- May 2026 Treasurer’s report accepted (pre-fire snapshot).
- DOLA emergency recovery funding grant request deferred to a special meeting the following week.
- Executive session added for litigation negotiation strategy (no formal action afterward).
Summarized Transcription
Opening / Community ThanksBill Cand (Chairman):
“I wanted to thank this county. We had 85 volunteers from all walks of life… to bag sand… This has been the second biggest fire in the state of Colorado ever in terms of damage to structures and land mass… The citizens of Beulah and Aspen Acres and San Isabel are amazing… no deaths… no significant injuries and we haven’t had any looting…”Landfill FeesMotion:
“I make the motion that we take landfill fees for slash and deadfall from $10 per cubic yard to $5 per cubic yard.”Approved.Sheriff’s Pay AdjustmentSheriff:
“We permanently eliminated two positions and using those funds would like to sprinkle it across the… pay line and give everyone raises so it wouldn’t cost the county any… extra money…”Motion approved 2-1 (effective August 16).Posse Vehicles“We would like to buy two used police Tahoes for $5,000 a piece… assigned to Posse only…”Approved.GrantsApproval given to apply for the COPS Hiring Grant and to begin the process for Homeland Security / fire-mitigation grants.
