Stimulus money to thank for county’s survival?
While the public debates the necessity of the $787 billion nationwide stimulus money package, economists are adamant the money was necessary — and what has kept El Paso County on life support.
“Think about a heart attack patient — you know he needs to lose weight, start exercising, stop smoking,” [...] [...]
El Paso County appears ready to ride to the rescue of the Pioneers Museum, but the City of Colorado Springs views the offer as "pie in the sky." [...]
The county Treasurer’s office annual tax lien sale last week sold 3,684 tax liens and recovered $7.1 million in owed taxes.
That compares to 3,145 liens and $4.8 million last year.
The sale also generated bonus bids totaling $61,646, which can be used to support ongoing county services.
This year’s strong results - with net proceeds up 33 [...] [...]
It’s now been a year since a Colorado law went into effect, requiring casinos to check for and collect payments from the winnings of individuals who owe back payment money for child support.
During that time, $94,834 has been collected for families in El Paso County.
The proceeds, however, represent only a small percentage of the total amount of child [...] [...]
When Colorado voters approved gambling in 1992, they were told that gaming revenue would be used to cover the extra law enforcement costs incurred by the gaming industry.
But, during budget shortfall and TABOR times, all bets are off.
Gov. Bill Ritter has proposed diverting $5.5 million from the Division of Gaming to balance the state’s under-funded [...] [...]
El Paso County is reporting a threefold jump in use tax collections.
In spite of a nearly 20 percent drop in building valuation for the first eight months of the year, use tax collections on building materials increased threefold during the same period.
From April through August, collections of use tax on building materials is up 373 [...] [...]
Commercial lending is not a business for the faint of heart.
Several years ago, lenders worked overtime — scarcely able to keep up with demand. Now, they must patiently stay the course, until the market scrapes bottom before rising.
Nationally, commercial and industrial lending is described in such reticent terms as “unlikely to loosen quickly.”
A survey of [...] [...]
The city's plan to collect delinquent stormwater fees by converting them into tax liens might be in trouble.
At this morning's meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, former commissioner and TABOR author Douglas Bruce appeared before the commission and told them that, in his opinion, County Treasurer Sandra Damron does not have the authority to issue or collect such linens.
[...]
El Paso County Administrator Jeff Greene has been named “National County Leader of the Year” for 2009 by the National Association of Counties.
“From reorganizing all departments to working through huge deficits to balance the budget, County Administrator Jeff Greene has spent the last year moving El Paso County, Colorado through troubled times,” according to City [...] [...]
The city has apparently forgotten to turn in homework on time.
It has failed to meet the July 24 deadline to submit notice for participation in the November election as required by state statute.
So, whether Colorado Springs issues will be included on the ballot depends on whether County Clerk and Recorder Bob Balink will let the [...] [...]
