To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
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Alex Nelson, Management Analyst I, Commissioners’ Office
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presenter
Presenters: Bowditch & Cassell Public Affairs; Staff Legislative Committee
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Subject:
title
2:00 PM *2023 Legislative Principles and CCI Priority Legislation
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The purpose of this study session is to discuss revisions to the Arapahoe County 2023 Legislative Principles and determine positions on the legislative priority ideas submitted to Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI).
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Background and Discussion: As a constitutional subdivision of Colorado state government, Arapahoe County can only exercise those powers specifically expressed in statute or in the Colorado Constitution. The County contracts with Bowditch and Cassell Public Affairs for state advocacy activities, guided by the Arapahoe County legislative principles.
Each year, the Arapahoe County Commissioners adopt principles to inform the County’s positions on bills during the state legislative session as well as inform federal advocacy efforts. The staff legislative committee, consisting of the County Attorney and the Directors of the Commissioners’ Office, Community Resources, Human Services and Public Works & Development, suggests revisions to Arapahoe County’s legislative principles. The draft 2023 Arapahoe County legislative principles are attached for Board consideration.
Further, CCI identifies six to eight legislative priorities each year and works with legislators to run bills in alignment with these priorities. As a CCI member, Arapahoe County is provided the opportunity to vote on potential CCI priority legislation. CCI solicited legislation ideas this summer, held multiple meetings to discuss the ideas with members, and is now asking each county to vote on which issues to advance at a Legislative Committee meeting on Friday, October 7, 2022. Staff prepared recommendations (attached) for Board consideration based on steering committee presentations, current legislative principles, historical County positions and various analysis of impacts to Arapahoe County.
Fiscal Impact: N/A
Alternatives: The Board could amend the proposed revisions to the 2023 Legislative Principles and choose to take positions on the CCI priority issues other than the recommended positions.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☒Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommend revising the legislative priorities and taking the CCI positions as presented.
Concurrence: Staff Legislative Committee