Unanimously approved by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, the renovation on the El Paso County Department of Human Services’ building began March 29 and is scheduled for completion in late spring.”The renovation is for customer service improvements and better wheelchair accessibility for people with disabilities,” said Alan Blanchard, DHS public information coordinator. The total cost of the renovation is about $65,000; DHS has earmarked $12,000 and state and federal sources will provide the remaining funds, Blanchard said.”The money used for the renovation is already in the Department of Human Services budget, but policy requires (that) it needs to be brought before the county commissioners for approval,” said El Paso County Commissioner Amy Lathen.Confidentiality issues in the lobby, where clients are screened and interviewed, as well as safety concerns, prompted the renovation. “The state has regulations on how to handle privacy issues,” Lathen said.She added that the renovation is not a facelift for the building. “I would never approve, just on an aesthetics basis,” Lathen said.Blanchard said the department is housed in two buildings. The renovation is at 105 N. Spruce St., and the other building is at 17 N. Spruce St.The department services about 900 individuals per day, Blanchard said.
