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OCN > 2508 > El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, July 17 – 2024 finances receive clean audit opinion

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, July 17 – 2024 finances receive clean audit opinion

By James Howald

The El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board met in July to hear an audit report on its 2024 finances and a monthly financial report. Rebecca Hutchinson, a Civil Design Engineer with Merrick and Co., gave the board a progress report on work being done by the consulting and engineering companies that are contributing to the project. Hutchinson has replaced Mark Valentine as the Loop’s Interim Workflow Manager, who coordinates the work being done by the several specialists working on water quality, water treatment, easement acquisition and other aspects of the water reuse project. Valentine announced he has taken a job with Colorado Springs Utilities.

2024 finances get highest possible rating

Courtney Vance, an auditor with Sorren, Inc., told the board her audit report found “nothing negative to express.” The audit went well, she said. Vance complemented the work done by Fromm and Co., LLC, the Loop’s accountants, and said she had an open line of communication with the Loop’s board as she performed the audit.

The Loop’s assets increased by $497,000 in 2024 due to funding received from the American Recovery Plan Act and increased capital assets. These increases were offset by a slight decrease in cash. The Loop’s liabilities decreased by $58,000 due to quicker payment of vendors. The Loop’s net position increased by $497,000.

The board voted unanimously to accept Vance’s audit report.

Monthly financial report

Corbin Fromm told the board that invoices totaling $82,128 had been received in July, with $51,975 in services from Merrick being the largest cost. The board voted unanimously to authorize Fromm to pay the invoices.

Fromm said the Loop had spent just over $295,000 in 2025 to date, or about 5% of its budget for the year.

Progress report

Hutchinson told the board that a contract had been signed with Burns & McDonnell for that company to design the lift stations and pipelines needed to convey water from Fountain Creek to customers in the participating water districts. Another round of water quality data was received from JVA, Inc. Hutchinson said she was organizing a meeting between Burns & McDonnell and Western States Land Services LLC, the company acquiring the easements needed by the lift stations and pipelines. Hutchinson said she was ensuring the easements in northern El Paso County were coordinated with the plan to widen Higby Road. Finally, Hutchinson said a Request for Proposal (RFP) to expand the Calhan Reservoir so that it can store water diverted from Fountain Creek had been published. Merrick will evaluate the responses to the RFP and will advise the board, Hutchinson said.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Aug. 21 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are 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 the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

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