By James Howald
Compliance with county, state, and federal procurement policies imposed by receipt of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds was the main topic at the El Paso County Loop Regional Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board meeting in March. EPCRLWA President Jessie Shaffer updated the board on the status of the project’s water testing, and the board heard a brief financial report.
ARPA funding brings compliance burden
Shaffer said the authority had not yet received its Public Deposit Protection Act identification number, which is required to account for the receipt and expenditure of certain public funds.
Russell Dykstra, EPCRLWA counsel, explained that ARPA and other grants require use of procurement policies that meet federal standards. He presented to the board a policy that met those standards as well as applicable Colorado state standards. As an example, Dykstra said there was a $60,000 limit on funds for capital improvements. Dykstra mentioned some state requirements could change, and he would adjust the policy as needed to maintain compliance.
The board voted unanimously to approve the policy as presented.
Shaffer said he would ensure all requests for proposals, bids and job descriptions complied with state and federal standards.
Water quality testing underway
At its February meeting, EPCRLWA signed a contract with JVA Inc. to provide ongoing water quality testing that would be used to design the water treatment protocols needed to purify the water delivered to consumers.
Shaffer reported that the contract with JVA had been approved by legal counsel, and testing is underway.
Financial report
Cathy Fromm of Fromm & Co LLC, the authority’s accounting firm, told the board that a bank account was needed so that invoices could be paid. Four invoices totaling about $14,000 have been received, she said, leaving the authority with about $735,000 cash on hand.
**********
The next regular meeting is scheduled for April 20 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held every Thursday at 9 a.m. at rotating venues. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.
James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.
Other El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority articles
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, March 20 – Contract awarded for water treatment plant design and pilot test (4/5/2025)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Feb. 20 – Interim workflow manager joins Loop team (3/1/2025)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Jan. 16 – Board moves forward with RFP for water treatment design (2/1/2025)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Dec. 19 – Cherokee Metro District withdraws from Loop project (1/4/2025)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Nov. 21 – Board approves 2025 budget (12/5/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Oct. 17 – Board hears financial reports (11/2/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Sept. 19 – Board postpones non-disclosure agreements (10/5/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Aug. 15 – Board amends contract with Merrick and Co. (9/7/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, July 18 – Board considers new roles for Merrick and Co. (8/3/2024)
- El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, June 20 – Board pursues easements (7/6/2024)