Return of Senior Homestead Tax Exemption not a done dealThe El Paso County Assessor’s office is receiving a number of calls regarding the Senior Homestead Tax Exemption.On May 13, the Rocky Mountain News printed an article stating, “Some Colorado seniors will get a break on their property taxes in 2007 if they apply for an exemption by July 15 of this year.” According to the article, “The Legislature suspended funding of the Senior Property Tax Exemption two years ago in the face of budget shortfalls, but will bring it back next January. The 2006 taxes are payable in the spring of 2007, so seniors won’t realize the savings until then.”In 2002, the Colorado General Assembly revoked funding for the program, although it planned to restore the exemption in 2006 based on “available funding.” Deputy Assessor Mark Lowderman warns therein is the catch.”In spite of the Legislature’s intentions to reinstate the Senior Exemption Program in 2007, until the state can allocate the money to fund the program, or chooses to make it a priority, there is no guarantee it will be restored,” said Lowderman.The El Paso County Assessor’s Office encourages qualifying seniors who have not yet applied for the program to contact the office for an application. Then, should the program be reinstated, the seniors will be in place to receive the tax benefit.Budget forecasts now heard at BoCC meetingsAre you interested in the El Paso County budget? You may have been attending the budget forecast work sessions that used to be held on Monday afternoons. If so, you need to take note of an important change.Last month the county decided to try something different by moving the budget forecast reports to the regular El Paso County Board of County Commissioners’ meeting agenda instead of the usual Monday afternoon work sessions. Since it worked so well, the budget forecast work sessions have been rescheduled for the remainder of 2005 and will now be presented at BoCC meetings during department and committee reports.The next budget forecast report will be at the May 23 BoCC meeting.Tradition election polls remainsAfter considering two alternatives for voting in the November election, El Paso County Commissioners voted unanimously to remain with a traditional polling place election. Voters will still be able to vote early and absentee.County Clerk and Recorder Bob Balink presented the commissioners with three options for this year’s election: a precinct polling place, mail ballot or vote centers. Of the three choices, the board decided to conduct the election by precinct polling places.The favored standard polling place option was less expensive and deemed more reliable. Commission Chairman Jim Bensberg said voting centers might be convenient, but were problematic and costly to administer on Election Day. Even though using mail ballots is slightly less expensive than going to the polls, voters are wary of this method of voting, Bensberg said.Projects available on lineThe El Paso County revised master plan over the next 10 years is now available on the county Web site at www.elpasoco.com. Go to the upper left hand corner and you’ll find a category, “Current Topics.” Click on El Paso County Master Plan, Facilities Management Department Vol. 1.The document covers everything from capital construction projects to location needs and growth projections.The master plan was presented at a public work session at on May 19.El Paso County creates internal audit dept.El Paso County received unanimous approval yesterday to create an internal audit department, which will take effect Jan. 1, 2006. The funds will come from several unfilled positions within the county. The plan will save money spent on some external auditors while ensuring that taxpayers receive the best value possible. The county is required to have an external financial audit each year.In addition to financial controls, the auditor’s office will evaluate the internal controls, records, operations, policies, procurements and the effectiveness and efficiency of organizational operations. Accounts receivable, billing, accounts payable, payroll and purchasing will be among the major systems reviewed. The city of Colorado Springs audit department reported a $14 million savings over the last six years through its internal audit department.Grand opening of the Paint Mines Interpretive ParkThe El Paso County Parks and Leisure Services Department invites area residents to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 4, 2005 by attending the grand opening of the Paint Mines Interpretive Park. The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by guided tours.The 750-acre park offers a fascinating journey through time with its unique geological formations. The mines, dominated by clay deposited more than 55 million years ago, and the surrounding lands have yielded evidence of human life dating back 9,000 years. The colorful clays were used by American Indians for making pottery and ceremonial paint. In addition to the park’s wonderful natural features, it also includes 2.5 miles of trails, two parking areas, and a restroom facility.The directions to the park are Highway 24 east to Calhan, turn south on Yoder Road / Calhan Highway, turn east on Paint Mine Road and look for the designated parking area.From the planning commissionRequest by Randle Case Sr. for a preliminary plan for CU Property Elkhorn Estates Filing No. 2, consisting of 646 acres, proposed for 193 single-family lots, currently zoned the RR-2 (Rural Residential) District. The property is in the Falcon area, southwest of the intersection of Stapleton Drive and Towner Avenue. It is in both the Black Forest Preservation Plan and the Falcon/Peyton Comprehensive Plan. Approved unanimously with conditions and notations by the planning commission.Request by Job Larranaga to rezone 40 acres from the A-35 (agricultural) District to the RR-3 (rural residential) District. The property is located approximately one-half mile east of Curtis Road and one-fourth mile south of Jones Road. The parcel is addressed as Section 27-13-64 and is located in the Falcon/Peyton Planning Area. Approved unanimously with conditions and notation by the Planning Commission.El Paso County Fair competition info now availableThe 100th annual El Paso County Fair will be held July 23-30 and premium lists (rules and categories for county fair competitions) are now available.Exhibitors of all ages are welcome. Age divisions, in most cases, are Junior (13 and under), Youth (14-17), Adult or seniors (ages vary). Some of the divisions include the following: hobbies like art, photography and crafts; ceramics and pottery; needle arts including home sewing, hand weaving, quilts, etc.; pantry and baked goods; horticulture and floriculture.Creative Art entry forms must arrive at the El Paso County Fair Office in Calhan by 3 p.m. on July 8, 2005. Forms are available at www.elpasocountyfair.com or by calling 719-520-7880 for a mailed or faxed copy.El Paso County Fair 5th Demolition DerbyOrganizers of the 100th anniversary of the El Paso County Fair are putting together the fifth Demolition Derby, which will be held Saturday, July 23.Offering an $8,000 purse, the derby will include no weld, partial weld and compact classes. Registration and release forms must be completed, and an entry fee must be paid prior to car inspection. Early registration is recommended.Car numbers are on a first come basis and drivers must be at least 18 years old.The number of heats will depend on the number of entries. Stock American auto or station wagons are allowed, but no jeeps, trucks, convertibles, hearses, ambulances or limousines are allowed.Entry forms and other information are available on the fair’s Web site: www.elpasocountyfair.com, or entrants may call 719-520-7880.The 100th annual El Paso County Fair is July 23-July 30 at the El Paso County Fair and Events Complex in Calhan. (30 minutes East of Colorado Springs on Highway 24).Fair seeks memories – submissions from public for 100th anniversaryEl Paso County Fair staff is asking the community for submissions to a new project they’re developing. Colorado’s El Paso County Fair – from Potatoes to the Blackberry, a Collection of a Hundred Years of Memories is an online compilation of photos and articles contributed by local community members.Anyone with memories of experiences at the El Paso County Fair is asked to submit them for this project, either in the form of photographs or articles, to be posted on the El Paso County Fair Web site.”Whether your memory is from 1930 or 2004, if it is honest, appropriate for readers of all ages and designed for this project, it will be included,” says Debbie Galle, assistant fair manager. “We work very hard to provide as much interactive activity at the fair as possible, and this is a unique way to include everyone in this very special project.”Electronic submissions should be e-mailed to debbiegalle@elpasoco.com. Photos should be in .jpeg format. Those who do not have computer access may mail the submissions to Memories, El Paso County Fair, 366 Tenth St., Calhan, Colo. 80808. All photos must be good copies and must have identifying information on the back. If you would like your photo returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Fair organizers request that original photos not be sent through the mail, but be hand-carried to the fair office where they can be scanned and immediately returned to the owner.For complete rules and guidelines, visit www.elpasocountyfair.com or call 719-520-7880.
