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Regional Building Department has plan to distribute extra funds

Posted at 7:05 AM, Sep 21, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-22 15:59:48-04

COLORADO SPRINGS – Storm damage across the Pikes Peak region has actually generated a windfall of money for the Regional Building Department. So now the department is setting forth a proposal to distribute extra funds in the future.

Due to extensive storm damage, including hail across El Paso County in 2017, the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department had to issue thousands of new building permits to fix homes and other buildings that were damaged that created a windfall of some $150,000.

Money was given back to a local hospital project to cut their building permit costs in half.

So today, a representative from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department went before El Paso County commissioners to explain their proposal to handle extra money that would be generated in the years ahead.

Roger Lovell with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department speaks to El Paso County Commissioners
Roger Lovell with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department speaks to El Paso County Commissioners

“The goal is to get this draft policy right,” said Roger Lovell with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department.

This year, although they don’t have the numbers yet, it could be a similar scenario due to the storms that swept through Southern Colorado this summer. Now, the department wants make sure their financial focus actually benefits the construction industry.

“The intent is to keep the policy centered towards non-profits within the construction industry,” Lovell added about their give-back proposal.

In part, they want to help educate students who are interested in pursuing a career in construction as long as the money is available year to year.

“Funds may or may not be available,” Lovell explained.
“When economic times are tough, they’re tough on the building department as well.”

And they will only be given to individual projects on a one-time basis.

“There are issues that are going to be considered on a case-by-case basis,” said Mark Waller with  absolutely no recurring funds are going to be provided here,” said Mark Waller, the President Pro Tempore of the El Paso County Board of Commissioners.

Before the plan is adopted, and any new money distributed, the three member Regional Building Commission must sign off on the plan.
Their next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 4th at 3:00 p.m.