[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6426953,"mediaKeyId","5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742","parentId",5880089,"title","Adams County IT proposes cloud-first shift, AI pilot staff to support 2026 budget","audioSeconds",3281,"startMs",43000,"endMs",3324000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742&start=43&end=3324","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742/thumbnail_43000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6426953/Adams-County/Colorado/Adams-County-IT-proposes-cloud-first-shift-AI-pilot-staff-to-support-2026-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426953-71ed59a41ae05b8c3acb514270fd3b33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504472&Signature=SWpFGp5lQv5tYpTHSS4a4pC8IDayOvHXCyqcbr4U3v0mB-t-ZZDtrttvGrLVDbgQm7cjFO-GGI2ueRng4C2PtaT-I4w2YONkMFTdHyFBlKkyW82hGS7de3mGROIQLZyJUTzfCr3bR9OSazRU3xFRiHgKMfrM3d70i7DBSRr9RNZ-8QNiQfnrj5Fk46GcB6e82Hsn-vPK6NCg8IT3ke8S1ODVnDKn~O7VhuTegPWmiLZnbZw1q9QeU-2OMEg1Ray7qd99INilcpDXdEsbxfGpKblBQBPCgeD-rMtEjfg8hpNboweiPrdTDhvKCzPZStYaAMcYnqviahcAbfC9Fbv~sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Adams County","date","2025-10-02T21:31:19Z","article","Jason Schultz, director of Information Technology & Innovation, presented the department’s 2026 budget and priorities to the Adams County Board of Commissioners, proposing a cloud-first shift, expanded broadband to eastern communities, and staff to develop a data and AI governance framework.

Schultz said the department is moving from capital-heavy, on-premises systems toward software-as-a-service and managed services, with increased subscription costs for Microsoft Copilot, Salesforce, Esri and other enterprise applications. He told commissioners that Microsoft licensing baseline costs rose from about $1.2 million to roughly $2.8 million under an annual subscription model and that overall software subscription spending is expected to rise about 35% for 2026.

The IT team also proposed a $6 million capital project to extend fiber to Bennett, Strasburg and Flat Rock over a multi-year plan, prioritizing east-of-I‑76 locations with the goal of enabling additional internet service providers to use county infrastructure. Deputy division director Jeremy King said about 80% of the capital ask would go to the Strasburg segment and discussed early talks with private ISPs and federal BEAD grant applicants as possible partners to offset costs. Commissioners recommended outreach to CDOT, railroad partners and USDA for additional grant and permitting opportunities.

On staffing and operations, the department requested one additional full-time project manager to handle a growing portfolio (about 84 active projects, 35 in execution) and to reduce the number of projects assigned to each project manager. Schultz also asked for a multi‑position build-out for data/AI work: a data architect, an AI architect/data scientist, a data services manager, and a data warehouse developer; four new FTEs aimed at building a data-as-a-service capability and an AI/data governance framework. Schultz said the county already has roughly 100 pilot Copilot licenses for Microsoft and will hold an October 15 study session on AI policy.

Schultz described a two-phase plan for ERP (JD Edwards) modernization: first, lift JD Edwards into Oracle’s cloud to remove aging on‑premises infrastructure; second, start a multiyear study (estimated $60,000 in 2026) to document requirements and assess replacement options. He emphasized discovery and business-process documentation to avoid disrupting operations.

Commissioners and staff pressed on subscription cost drivers, fiber partnerships and timeline for BEAD and other grants. Schultz said he would pursue vendor and regional partners and return with additional business cases if required. The board asked IT to continue coordinating with county procurement, CDOT, and regional ISPs as planning progresses.

Ending

ITI’s 2026 plan centers on shifting the county to subscription and managed services, investing in broadband to underserved eastern neighborhoods, and creating governance and staffing to manage data and AI initiatives. Commissioners said they want additional details on partnerships and costs as budget decisions proceed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","October 2, 2025, Board of County Commissioners Study Session","oneSentenceSummary","The county's Information Technology & Innovation (ITI) department outlined a 2026 budget request focused on moving services to cloud-based subscription models, expanding broadband fiber east of I‑76, and creating staff capacity for AI/data governance and an ERP migration study.","taxTitle","Adams County, Colorado","taxId",4150,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426942,"Human Services seeks $6.6M general‑fund support to sustain core services, bolster staff",2951,6734000,9685000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742&start=6734&end=9685","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742/thumbnail_6734000.jpg","/articles/6426942/Adams-County/Colorado/Human-Services-seeks-66M-generalfund-support-to-sustain-core-services-bolster-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426942-b496aefe1b2e7b428e5bca6adad2db53/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504472&Signature=WFAcFPc6D9uu55hFiiURiQXQq4B8EG8T6JevE5501jinhoqKiEf9ZY3TJQUZOoqJSTOb6JRDjPKeK4al0Kwybah1NqkH-9~IbkxyDhKuTW03R-JXu-ht8B8OhmXRXIOqYDSZjWQPHTZ8~LoovLuTDTZa-gPsTOejDfVI6xMTeYIBT-5E4g2VmIFA2i5SD~tUA2Q0~8Jlih3-kbRSvo1zkryQavUyAo9-uzdJKjsNOP-6p3JY6oDTD-M3LTys8-XkRQ2XT18fkUACYXQoHwXZ73dp30W9Z60d~36SKepRjc5ioq4CnBvkzRnkrVA5aMb8ca8a~dgOOqtwd~IvsK6c5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katie McDougall, director of Human Services, outlined the department’s 2026 budget priorities and said the office is requesting roughly $6.6 million in general‑fund support (or increased use of the social services fund balance) to maintain operations and protect staff while pass‑through federal and state dollars hold steady.

McDougall said Human Services manages SNAP, Medicaid and child welfare programs and receives roughly $156 million in federal/state pass‑through funds; the social‑services mill levy and fund balance have traditionally covered county match requirements and local contracts. The department asked for funding increases across four priorities: maintain operations and crisis assistance, strengthen fiscal accountability, realign staffing costs to proper funding sources, and consolidate leases by co‑locating some services with the Health Department at the Aurora Services Center.

Community services proposals include increasing a county‑funded crisis assistance program from $100,000 to $300,000 to cover family emergency sheltering gaps and to account for declining TANF discretionary funds. McDougall said there is only one family shelter in the county; the requested increase is framed as bridging a potential gap in emergency shelter support.

Internal investments include funding to keep head‑start teacher ratios, mental‑health supports for staff ($150,000 requested), learning and development, and an allocation to cover salary alignment with other county staff (countywide wage increases were estimated as the largest portion of the request). McDougall said 84% of the general‑fund ask is tied to potential salary/benefit increases if the county adopts higher compensation levels that cannot be covered by passthrough funds.

The department also proposed moving six IT developer positions and one fleet/facilities project manager from the human services fund to the general fund (a net savings to the human services fund of about $985,000) because the duties were no longer exclusively related to federally funded programs.

Commissioners and staff discussed coordination across county departments (Community Safety & Well‑Being, health department, CED) and the complications of data sharing agreements. McDougall said the department is actively negotiating where county funds or fund balance should be used and flagged HR‑1 and other administrative changes that may increase workloads in 2027.

Ending

County staff said they will continue refining allocations between the general fund and social services fund balance and return with recommendations during the formal budget process.","Human Services asked the board for roughly $6.6 million from general fund/fund balance to preserve core open‑door services, expand crisis assistance, maintain Meals on Wheels contracts and protect staff via training and mental‑health supports while realigning several positions to the general fund.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426946,"Clerk-recorder previews $3.6M elections cost for 2026; preservation and staffing steady",1963,3652000,5615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742&start=3652&end=5615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742/thumbnail_3652000.jpg","/articles/6426946/Adams-County/Colorado/Clerk-recorder-previews-36M-elections-cost-for-2026-preservation-and-staffing-steady","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426946-d736f71f4c4e5ff35626a4f3d549c9f5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504472&Signature=lRz6QGd4KAj2w4ss4Gmjd5i0KjvBTMzkiQf4REyqTR4UPJpJbzRFCsjp-NlGzA6Bcp1cMpXAo4hhiYNYK~wE2NKCw9oujaoTn6f10CqQ-YaLCd7KM2h9zRl8DSlor4WEVDwJqqCJpY5Gzi7sQgINtj6PunoGqFeNsmgzrdHHmSKFxZhn0e2TsRHi6QMRBea51F4SecG8QoxMsEWUtQ7j28Emb13NAARdfWGleVawvuIGPWHCOoLT2XHFqnuBkhLznZNccY9PJtEXbRjUsgkmkuCmwZv08TpK2ebhCQWlGir-5tGYQT35W2TcjfBPd4JevGAzAN7cfRSFaY9PfOPFDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Josh Silbelbaum, Adams County Clerk and Recorder, presented the office’s 2026 requests, telling commissioners that elections are the year’s largest single cost and that the office plans to continue a long‑running book preservation project.

Silbelbaum said the 2026 calendar includes a statewide primary and the general election; the combined cost to run both is roughly $3.6 million. Major recurring costs cited were postage, longer and translated ballots (Spanish), and vendor support for printers, ballots and tabulation hardware. The office said much of the state reimbursement comes in arrears and that federal/state grants and reimbursements may not fully cover faster-rising operational expenses.

On records and archives, the office reiterated a $100,000 annual book‑preservation contract to digitize and preserve century‑old county records; the work is part of a 10‑year plan with vendor CoFile and includes digitization of fragile county‑road petitions and ditch records. The clerk noted that microfilm and microfiche equipment is obsolete and that digitization both preserves originals and helps public access records online.

Silbelbaum also recapped the department structure: motor vehicle, recording, elections, and administration with an outreach coordinator and deputy registrars in high schools. He said recording revenue is sensitive to the economy and to a statutory change that set a flat $40 recording fee for most documents. He described efforts to hold down discretionary costs (food for election workers was cut to a single election‑day meal) while maintaining operations.

The clerk’s office said most budget increases reflect wage and benefit assumptions and statutory changes. Commissioners thanked staff and commended outreach and volunteer‑style programs such as high‑school deputy registrars and the county’s vaccination/outreach work.

Ending

The clerk asked for continued flexibility around election costs that fluctuate by year; commissioners asked the office to return with any changes affecting the draft county budget.","County Clerk-Recorder’s office told commissioners its largest 2026 budget items are elections (estimated $3.6M for primary and general) and a $100,000 annual book-preservation contract. The office warned federal/state reimbursements arrive after elections and noted ongoing staffing shifts across vehicle, recording and elections functions.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426928,"Animal shelter seeks 5.25 FTEs, volunteer support and regional cost‑sharing after year of intense intakes",3179,19246000,22425000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742&start=19246&end=22425","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742/thumbnail_19246000.jpg","/articles/6426928/Adams-County/Colorado/Animal-shelter-seeks-525-FTEs-volunteer-support-and-regional-costsharing-after-year-of-intense-intakes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426928-fa971af11a017d9ae06703af63b08034/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504472&Signature=VkgNPkpgQBNexnlYpPA8nbJwvrn7zQ8mBUByiDVUPv4uWwzzVfBlnOOUsR9jJB7K-c7s2XyzeZZC7cfzdsPQ52NaUxhpx2JY4IsLf16X7uWU3tNuzddPyZ3rPH07y46CG03j77h6DqKfFIhZRmPjN5BtssFTlbgn0g4tcHd1E4ADkz27nisE8L7ABw--grGCP19iNPn0-084l~WFY9WPmQRw8h3VeIYVH0fPV79OOg3s3KFRTSB2ci18jd5lkIRrOHKeSgDZd614LOLrIjjciQkz-CiBHRPcJ8sFI7DPwBtBiLbhK-OLU3LT~g07ahW7NKda-H1L-RuEc4sXajflcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Shelter Director Stephanie Wild briefed the board on staffing strains after a multi‑year rise in intakes and several large, court‑ordered mass impounds this summer. Wild said intake volume and clinical demand have pushed operations beyond existing bench strength and asked the county for 5.25 full‑time equivalents, more volunteer coordination capacity and continued engagement with municipal partners on cost‑sharing.

Wild summarized four core shelter duties for an open‑admissions county facility: (1) customer service and intake of lost or surrendered animals, (2) health care (vaccination, spay/neuter and treatment), (3) behavior evaluation and foster coordination, and (4) adoption and reunification. She said the shelter’s live‑release rate has improved past 90% since moving to a new facility in 2020 and that volunteers, foster families and regional transfer partners have been critical in managing demand.

Wild told commissioners the SIT team completed a staffing assessment that estimated the shelter needed roughly a dozen additional staff at an earlier point; the department has since added some positions but remains below an operating baseline. To mitigate workload, the shelter uses temporary veterinary staff, student internships, a county work‑crew program and expanded volunteer onboarding technology; these strategies provide relief but do not fully close gaps in clinical and customer‑facing work.

Financially, Wild said the shelter receives roughly 7% of its operating support through municipal intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) and roughly 7% from fees; donations and grants have increased after the impounds but are not a reliable, recurring source. The shelter asked staff to continue regional discussions and offered a cost‑recovery model for cities; a phased, multi‑year approach to increasing municipal support was discussed.

Ending

Wild and staff thanked the board, reiterated the shelter’s immediate need for frontline care and volunteer coordination, and said they will continue regional outreach with city partners to explore phased cost sharing and other revenue options.","The Adams County Animal Shelter reported sustained higher intakes, several large mass impounds and stretched staffing. Director Stephanie Wild requested 5.25 FTEs focused on health care and customer‑facing roles, increased volunteer coordination and continued city cost‑sharing discussions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426933,"Sheriff briefs commissioners on 2026 needs: detention staffing, ballistics lab, semiautomatic‑firearm impacts",4726,13937000,18663000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742&start=13937&end=18663","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5880089-099b6dc834b43aa4bd6eb10dca626742/thumbnail_13937000.jpg","/articles/6426933/Adams-County/Colorado/Sheriff-briefs-commissioners-on-2026-needs-detention-staffing-ballistics-lab-semiautomaticfirearm-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426933-a9760fcb649e908f1d5e12d8210b8376/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504472&Signature=CIlDEretALJ~q-~j-ZWi0exW11FUhLgp9nqlRUsNS-PBIDJXvt34eNDWa8wfHFFGnNao1OYO70rNFDE4-ekVI8GykwfGuAsIWlGGtYdnRNG66JIzwxv8ryC3kO4snc3Gue93z~M0mR53F24PBSXszK4JRRwxuzaB~rqM1U-stIX6J97SqiNWPT7svFTd389dQKPvYGPiJ8qPdXewyuJCaYA-vKnv3WFm6hrk6cLHixnTtCtyfEq0JXeg4jbP0-WRX0H5QnNFBPQ4M~WRDaxClqvhkvmt~a6LIjIMLOWxsPXWYjSFreboNw7G9VRTN7gTm5oBY0q2Pz8qnazKBrpChg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff's office leadership presented a broad package of staffing, capital and operational requests for 2026, emphasizing jail management capacity, forensic lab expansion, and preparations for a state semiautomatic firearm measure that would create significant new administrative workload.

Sheriff leadership said the department has shifted some previously approved deputy positions into professional staff roles to meet administrative and program needs (for example, co‑responder staffing and records/communications functions). The department requested a deputy director for detentions to add management capacity amid changing jail standards and supervisory workload. Sheriff staff explained that detention operations have an elevated management burden and that a deputy director would help reduce legal and operational risk.

The office proposed expanding its local evidence and ballistics capabilities, including a ballistic analyst to support in‑house casework and contracting with nearby municipalities. Leaders described existing interim contracts to assist neighboring jurisdictions and said a ballistics analyst would increase lab capacity and reduce outsourcing.

Another priority was standing up an in‑house extradition unit to replace frequent overtime deployments. Presenters said the unit—four dedicated extradition deputies—would reduce long‑run overtime costs tied to transporting detainees from other states or jurisdictions; the sheriff’s office said the modeled savings could offset the cost of the new positions within a year.

Sheriff officials also flagged a potential surge of work tied to a pending semiautomatic firearm law with an effective date commissioners noted; the office recommended building personnel and facility capacity now so the county can implement any new state requirements, and said that fees tied to processing eligibility cards could be structured to recover direct costs.

Ending

Commissioners asked for a ranked list of priorities and noted the county budget constraints; the sheriff said he had already submitted ranked priorities and will work with the budget team during the countywide process.","The sheriff requested multiple staffing and capital items in a long list of needs for 2026, highlighting detention leadership capacity, ballistic analysis staffing, a county extradition unit to reduce overtime, and contingency planning to meet requirements of pending semiautomatic firearm law changes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Adams County IT proposes cloud-first shift, AI pilot staff to support 2026 budget

Human Services seeks $6.6M general‑fund support to sustain core services, bolster staff

Clerk-recorder previews $3.6M elections cost for 2026; preservation and staffing steady

Animal shelter seeks 5.25 FTEs, volunteer support and regional cost‑sharing after year of intense intakes

Sheriff briefs commissioners on 2026 needs: detention staffing, ballistics lab, semiautomatic‑firearm impacts