Monument Town Council, Oct. 29 and Nov. 3 and 17 – Council agrees to incentives for major plant

Veterans recognized
Draft 2026 Budget discussed
Sign ordinance amended
Legacy at Jackson Landing
Two police officers sworn in
2026 budget approved
Employee Handbook revisions
Water main contract awarded

By Marlene Brown

It was a busy month for the Monument Town Council (MTC), which actually began Oct. 29 with a special meeting for the discussion of an Economic Incentive Proposal for ACCO Engineered Systems Inc., a major manufacturing plant expected to come to Monument.

Jennifer Phillips, finance director for the town, explained that the staff has been working with the State of Colorado, El Paso County, the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, and the Chamber of Commerce of Colorado Springs for the past five months, and the deadline for submitting a Letter of Commitment to the state was Oct. 31. Phillips explained that the letter would break down the incentives which include the state providing matching funds over the next 10 years.

Incentive components would include a property tax rebate totaling about $243,000 over nine years and a use tax rebate estimated at $210,000 for years 2026-27. All rebates would be based on actual taxes collected in 2026-27. The state must approve the incentive package first since it would be providing matching funds. ACCO will then review and decide whether it accepts the proposal and comes to Monument. Peoria, Ariz., has also offered a substantial incentive package.

ACCO would be a major employer in the area, with incentives, training, and careers available. It is expected to bring significant economic growth and increased tax revenue for decades to come. MTC’s concerns included balancing growth and job creation with financial strain and setting a precedent for future incentive packages. The councilmembers were cautious about long-term implications for Monument’s growth and economic policy. The council agreed to sign the Letter of Commitment. As of late November, ACCO had not announced its final decision on where to locate the new fabrication plant.

Veterans recognized

The Nov. 3 regular Town Council meeting started with the acknowledgement of Veterans Day Nov. 11. The Town of Monument has over 20 employees who are veterans, with over 215 years of combined military service. Several high school students were in the audience as an assignment from their civics teacher.

Draft 2026 Budget discussed

Phillips presented the Draft 2026 Budget. Sales tax revenue is down 11% in 2025 from 2024. Property tax totals assume a 2% to 5% increase over 2025. Revenue options include a property tax increase. Now capped at 5.0 mills, property taxes could increase to 5.78 mills, which would increase revenue by $208,000. Another option is to reinstate a 5% Water Utility Franchisee Fee that would increase annual revenue by $138,400. Another fee study to be considered for additional revenue in 2026 is paid parking at Monument Lake.

Reduced expenses for the several departments were explained. There will be a new Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Staff will work to prioritize projects and develop realistic budgets for each department. The budget documents can be found and reviewed on the Town of Monument’s website, https://townofmonument.org/documentcenter. The next steps for the council are to provide direction regarding revenue and expenses and continue working with the Citizens Service Level Advisory Committee.

Then the Finance Department would present the final draft 2026 budget to the council at the Nov. 17 meeting and then adopt the 2026 budget at the Dec. 1 meeting.

Sign ordinance amended

The Planning Department requested Amendment 18.06.250.A.5 from the Town of Monument’s municipal code governing signs to be amended to include encroachment permits such as public right-of-way or unauthorized locations. The proposed Legacy at Jackson Landing will request signs at Blevins Buckle Trail and Jackson Creek Parkway. A motion to approve the amendment passed 7-0.

Legacy at Jackson Landing

A public hearing was held for Legacy at Jackson Landing, located on 30 acres at the northeast corner of I-25 and Baptist Road.

Ordinance No. 20-2025, approval of the Preliminary Planned Unit Development and the Final Planned Unit Development for Legacy at Jackson Landing Phase 1, passed unanimously 7-0.

Groundbreaking is scheduled for March 2026 for Phase 1.

Two police officers sworn in

At the Nov. 17 regular meeting, two new police officers—Officers Sean Connell and Carlos Gillian—were sworn in.

2026 budget approved

Phillips presented the Final Draft Budget. Revenue options include a property tax mill levy increase from 5.0 mills to 5.78 mills, which should increase revenue for the town by $208,000 per year. A Water Utility Franchise Fee reinstatement should be done in two weeks and reflect on residents’ water bills for 2026. Sales tax revenue is projected to be the same.

The discount for timely filing of monthly sales taxes collected will be discontinued at the state level, and most of the towns in Colorado have followed the state guidelines. The proposed budget document is 100 pages and can be found on the Town of Monument website: https://townofmonument.org/documentcenter.

Adoption of the 2026-28 Strategic Plan and Objectives was approved by the council in a 6-0 vote.

Employee Handbook revisions

Laura Trujillo presented updates to the employee handbook. The updates will include any amendments, such as guidance on the use of IT on personal computers and phones. There will be training available for the supervisors and department heads to continue educating their employees on the use of IT. The handbook will be on work computers for reference on the proper use of information.

Water main contract awarded

Resolution No. 64-2025, awarding a construction contract to Capital Paving and Construction LLC for the Beacon Lite Road water main placement, was approved 6-0.

The council moved into an executive session, and the meeting was adjourned.

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Regular meetings are typically held on the first and third Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, located at 645 Beacon Lite Road, Monument. If the meeting falls on a holiday, it will be held the following Tuesday.

Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.