In a recent speech (recent enough that if you are reading this Wednesday morning it has not yet been given) advertised as “The State of the Region”, I spent about 18 minutes telling various folks from around the county who either a) had nothing better to do for lunch, b) are used to spending $30 for lunch, c) felt obligated to attend, or d) actually wanted to hear how things are going, my view on where the county stands.

It was billed as a “The State of the Region” because county government is our only local regional government. You may live in Fountain, Colorado Springs or in unincorporated El Paso County with a Fountain, Colorado Springs, Pueblo or even Elbert County address, but you are still an El Paso County resident and El Paso County is providing services for you.

The Coroner, the Jail, the District Attorney and Courts are all part of the what a county is responsible for. Their functions are not duplicated in the various cities and towns. The municipalities do take care of their own traffic tickets, but if it is something that requires arrest it gets turned over to the District Attorney. The El Paso County Health Department is a stand alone department created by the State Legislature, but a significant portion of the funding comes from the El Paso County general fund and zero dollars are contributed by municipal governments. Restaurant inspections, larvicide tablets to combat West Nile Virus and holding communicable diseases at bay are administered evenly, no matter which side of the City Limit sign they are on.

Back to the “State of Region” speech, once it was put together and ready for delivery I realized virtually everything in it was something that had appeared in this column. I found a few more tidbits like the Fleet department switching from solvent based parts cleaner to a high pressure, hot water system, eliminating a pollutant source and saving money. But the big picture has all been reported.

You may see some recaps from the speech because it forced me to compile things in a more organized manner, but I am thinking of suggesting that next year the attendees purchase a subscription to this paper. It would be cheaper and they could get the same information sitting in the recliner with their feet kicked up.

CONTACT THE WRITER • HISEY4CD4@MSN.COM

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