Boulder Politics

Boulder County Commissioners · Regular meeting

Business Meeting

September 15, 2026

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Board approves 2027 health plan 2-1 and rejects DA and election budget cuts while advancing most other reductions.

The board cleared its full morning consent agenda, approved an amended homeless-system resolution, and approved a legal defense agreement for a deputy district attorney. It approved the BAB-recommended 2027 health and dental plan by a 2-1 vote after a long discussion of cost options. In the afternoon work session on the county's 13.2 million dollar structural deficit, the board rejected cuts to election judge pay, election outreach, and a district attorney hiring freeze, but approved reductions at the assessor's office, sheriff's office, fleet services, and several sustainability tax programs. The board deferred a juvenile assessment center cut pending a partner impact review and split on trimming the climate equity fund.

Agenda and votes

Call to Order

    9:30 a.m. Morning Session

      Business Meeting

        Housing Authority Consent Items (Sitting as the Boulder County Housing Authority Board of Directors)

        • 4Housing Authority Consent Items (Sitting as the Boulder County Housing Authority Board of Directors)
          The board, sitting as the Housing Authority board, approved three consent items on the AAHT grant, the HUD Continuum of Care grant, and the BCHA inducement and carryforward resolution without discussion.
          passed 3-0
          to approve the Housing Authority Consent Agenda as a whole.
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes
        • 4.aCommunity Services - Funding Agreement for AAHT Grant to Boulder County Housing Authority
        • 4.bCommunity Services - U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Continuum of Care Grant Agreement
        • 4.cHousing - BCHA Resolution 2026-007 - Inducement and Carryforward Resolution & Related Volume Cap Assignment Agreement with County of Boulder, Volume Cap Assignment Agreement with City of Lafayette, Certificate of Chair and Notice to DOLA

        Commissioners' Consent Items

        Board of Equalization Consent Items (Sitting as the Boulder County Board of Equalization)

        • 6Board of Equalization Consent Items (Sitting as the Boulder County Board of Equalization)
          passed 3-0
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes
        • 6.aCounty Administrator's Office - Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption Appeal 2026
          Sitting as the Board of Equalization, the board approved the senior homestead property tax exemption appeal consent item without discussion.

        Commissioners' Discussion Items

        • 7.aCommissioners' Office - Resource Conservation Advisory Board Appointment
          The board appointed Holly Bowers, a City of Lafayette representative, to fill a vacancy on the Resource Conservation Advisory Board.
          passed 3-0
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes
        • 7.bCommunity Services - Resolution 2026-061 - Resolution to Confirm the ongoing work of the Homeless Solutions for Boulder County Executive Board and dissolving its predecessor, the Regional Homeless Solutions Executive Board
          The board amended and approved Resolution 2026-061 confirming the Homeless Solutions for Boulder County Executive Board and formally dissolving its predecessor, the Regional Homeless Solutions Executive Board, after editing the recitals and resolution language at the dais.
          passed 3-0
          to approve Resolution 2026-061 with the proposed amendments as stated and contained within the official record.
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes
        • 7.cCounty Attorney's Office - Legal Representation Agreement - Taylor Suta - In the matter of David Schneller v James Alan Greer, et al, 26-cv-01247
          The board approved a legal representation agreement for Deputy District Attorney Taylor Suta in the federal case Schneller v. Greer, after the county attorney's office found he acted within the scope of his employment.
          passed 3-0
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes
        • 7.dHuman Resources - Benefits Workshop Follow-up
          Following up on an August 27 benefits workshop, the board reviewed three 2027 health and dental plan options and approved the Benefits Advisory Board's recommended plan (Option 1) by a 2-1 vote.
          passed 2-1
          to approve the Benefits Advisory Board recommendation for the medical plan design, Option #1, as stated and discussed in the official record.
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLevy: yesLoachamin: no

        Confirmation of Executive Session Topics

        • 8Confirmation of Executive Session Topics
          Staff confirmed for the record that the executive session topics noticed for the August 25, 2026 meeting were discussed as scheduled; no vote was needed.

        Authorizations for Executive Sessions

        • 9.aAuthorization for Executive Session
          The board authorized an executive session for September 16, 2026 on real property issues at the Emory property in Longmont.
          passed 3-0
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes
        • 9.bAuthorization for Executive Session
          The board authorized an executive session for September 16, 2026 on legal issues related to the Colorado 119 Bikeway Maintenance Agreement, after amending the language to specify it covers the maintenance agreement.
          passed 3-0
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes

        Public Meeting on Head Start Division Monthly Report to the Commissioners

        • 10Public Meeting on Head Start Division Monthly Report to the Commissioners
          Head Start division manager Akane Ogren gave the monthly report on staffing, enrollment, meal service, and budget for the 2026-27 school year, and the board approved the program's extension grant application on the spot.
          passed 3-0
          to approve the Head Start extension grant as detailed in the official record.
          Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
          Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes

        1:00 p.m. Afternoon Session

        • 11.aWork Session
          In the afternoon work session, the Office of Financial Management walked the board through additional 2027 budget reduction proposals from elected offices and several dedicated funds, seeking direction to build a balanced recommended budget by October 1.

        Office of Financial Management - Elected Official Budget Reductions/Other Funds

        General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #1

          General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #2

            General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #3

              General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #4

              • 4General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #4
                The board, sitting as the Housing Authority board, approved three consent items on the AAHT grant, the HUD Continuum of Care grant, and the BCHA inducement and carryforward resolution without discussion.
                passed 3-0
                to approve the Housing Authority Consent Agenda as a whole.
                Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
                Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes

              General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #5

              • 5General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #5
                The board approved consent items 5A through 5P as a single block, covering land use code amendments, ADU and PUD dockets, grant agreements, and bid waivers, without individual discussion.
                passed 3-0
                to approve the Commissioners' Consent Agenda as a whole.
                Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
                Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes

              General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #6

              • 6General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #6
                passed 3-0
                Board of Equalization Consent Items (Sitting as the Boulder County Board of Equalization)
                Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
                Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes

              General Fund reduction proposals from Elected Officials, #7

                Reduction proposals for the Dedicated Resources fund, #1

                • 8Reduction proposals for the Dedicated Resources fund, #1
                  Staff confirmed for the record that the executive session topics noticed for the August 25, 2026 meeting were discussed as scheduled; no vote was needed.

                Reduction proposals for the Health and Human Services fund, #1

                  Reduction proposals for the Sustainability Tax fund #1

                  • 10Reduction proposals for the Sustainability Tax fund #1
                    Head Start division manager Akane Ogren gave the monthly report on staffing, enrollment, meal service, and budget for the 2026-27 school year, and the board approved the program's extension grant application on the spot.
                    passed 3-0
                    to approve the Head Start extension grant as detailed in the official record.
                    Moved by Ashley Stolzmann, seconded by Marta Loachamin
                    Stolzmann: yesLoachamin: yesLevy: yes

                  Reduction proposals for the Sustainability Tax fund #2

                    Reduction proposals for the Sustainability Tax fund #3

                      Reduction proposals for the Sustainability Tax fund #4

                        Reduction proposals for the Sustainability Tax fund #5

                          Reduction proposals for the Sustainability Tax fund #6

                            Reduction proposals for the Fleet Services fund #1

                              Reduction proposals for the Health and Dental fund #1

                                Conversations by topic

                                County budget reductions

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 0:47:01

                                Chief Financial Officer Armando opened the work session by reminding the board of the 30 to 40 million dollar general fund structural deficit found in March 2025 and the 13.2 million dollar ongoing reduction target set for 2027, split about 9.2 million in personnel and 3.9 million in operating cuts. He said the priority-based budgeting process ranked programs but left final decisions to the board, and that 7.8 million in personnel and 2.8 million in operating cuts were already set from the August 4 meeting.

                                “Our objective is not simply to balance one year, but really looking for long-term sustainability.”
                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 0:53:02

                                The assessor's office proposed reclassifying two vacant appraiser II positions to appraiser I, saving about 30,000 dollars, and cutting a vacant data collector position while raising hourly staff budget, saving about 57,000 dollars. The board supported both proposals, totaling about 95,000 dollars in general fund savings.

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 0:55:19

                                Clerk and Recorder Molly Fitzpatrick proposed dropping an outside leadership coaching contract, saving about 24,300 dollars, because her office has built the same training in-house. The board approved this cut but rejected two further clerk proposals: cutting election judge hourly pay and cutting election outreach funding, citing concerns about disinformation and the difficulty of recruiting judges.

                                “I don't believe that we are in a spot right now where we can take reduction from the election's office.”
                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 0:59:26

                                District Attorney Michael Dougherty proposed a six month freeze on a vacant district court deputy DA position, a one-time savings of about 63,000 dollars, saying his office had already returned 500,000 dollars last year. All three commissioners rejected the proposal, saying a one-time freeze does not fix the structural deficit and that felony caseloads, including domestic violence and homicide cases, cannot absorb the loss.

                                “So one time savings of 63,000 dollars as actually moving us ahead. So I wouldn't support this proposal.”
                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 1:12:21

                                Sheriff Curtis Johnson proposed moving about 500,000 dollars in jail medical costs from the general fund to the voter-approved offender management fund, which he said has a healthy 9.6 million dollar balance. He said the office no longer expects to need year-end budget amendments for food and medical costs because of a new kosher meal program and better cost management. The board approved the shift and asked staff to review whether the offender management fund's balance should be smaller.

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 1:23:47

                                Staff proposed eliminating a vacant Community Action Program manager position, vacant two to three years, saving about 154,000 dollars from the dedicated resources fund and about 93,000 dollars in general fund subsidy. The board approved the cut and confirmed it will not affect the county's CSBG grant allocation.

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 1:28:41

                                Staff proposed eliminating the juvenile assessment center position for about 118,000 dollars in health and human services fund savings, but the board asked for the promised partner impact analysis before finalizing the cut. Staff said the review of who would cover overnight youth services will take two to three months.

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 1:33:05

                                Sustainability director Susie Streiff presented six proposals totaling 930,000 dollars in reductions against a 1.6 million dollar sustainability tax fund deficit, including cutting housing authority energy grants by 400,000 dollars, an Eco-Cycle education contract by 45,000 dollars, climate communications by 35,000 dollars, resource conservation programs by 100,000 dollars, and Mobility for All by 150,000 dollars. The board approved all of these.

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 1:39:15

                                Streiff also proposed a 200,000 dollar sustainability tax cut to the climate equity fund, on top of a 250,000 dollar general fund cut already made in August. Levy pushed for further general fund cuts to the well-funded program given cuts elsewhere, while Loachamin opposed any further climate equity cuts as inconsistent with the county's equity and climate commitments; the board approved only the 200,000 dollar sustainability tax cut.

                                “It feels like also in conflict with, um, who's this organization says that we are in the work that we do.”
                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 1:49:40

                                Fleet services proposed decommissioning two fuel sites, at the Justice Center and Alaska Avenue, both over 30 years old and underused, saving about 25,000 dollars a year. The board approved the proposal.

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 1:50:44

                                Staff proposed eliminating the county's onsite flu shot clinics, saving about 20,000 dollars from the health and dental fund, noting declining attendance and new free clinics coming through the marathon health provider in 2027. The board approved the cut, asking HR to communicate community vaccine options to staff.

                                County employee health and dental benefits

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 0:11:47

                                MJ Companies presented three 2027 health plan options: the Benefits Advisory Board's recommended plan with minor design changes and a one percent employee cost shift (3.6 million dollar county cost increase), a middle option with no design change but the same cost share (4.5 million), and a no-change option requested by Commissioner Loachamin (5.2 million). Staff said the health plan fund balance was about 11.5 million dollars at the end of 2025, or three to four months of claims.

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 0:26:45

                                Staff reported the Benefits Advisory Board voted 12 to 10 for both the plan design changes and the one percent employee cost shift in Option 1. Levy said the closeness of the BAB vote mattered to him, while Loachamin said her request for a no-increase option came from wanting to give staff stability given rising costs elsewhere. Stolzmann moved Option 1, which passed 2-1.

                                “The more they get towards unanimous or at least lopsided votes, then the more I am inclined to follow their lead.”

                                Early childhood and child care

                                CountySep 15, Business Meetingat 0:35:02

                                Head Start division manager Akane Ogren reported the 2026-27 school year started with strong staffing, one remaining teacher assistant vacancy, and enrollment recovering to 96 of 110 funded slots after typical early-year drops. The program projects a 13,000 dollar surplus for the fiscal year and is preparing both a second-round extension grant application and a five-year competitive grant application due December 15, 2026.