What a difference a penny can make.

If voters approve a proposed 1 percent sales tax increase – a penny on each $1 sale – El Paso County’s budget would total $304.4 million next year, compared with $228 million without the tax, budget officer Nicola Sapp said.

The extra money would mean a jail could be built, parks would retain normal hours of operation, 4-H programs would remain intact, the District Attorney’s Office wouldn’t cut positions and would provide victims’ programs, and the Health Department would have more money to inspect restaurants.

This year’s budget is $233.4 million, according to budget documents the commissioners received Thursday.

If the Nov. 4 measure passes, the county would share with cities and towns $13.1 million of the $75 million generated by the new tax in each of the first two years. Colorado Springs would get the largest share – $12 million a year.

That would increase after the first two years because in 2009 and 2010 half the money – $37.5 million annually – would go toward construction projects, including expanding the county jail to ease crowding. Thereafter, only 10 percent of the money would be used for new buildings, such as a coroner’s office, law enforcement substations and a regional work release facility.

After cities and towns get their share, the rest would be used for county needs.

Those funds would give county operations a resuscitating jolt, according to two 2009 budget proposals Sapp outlined – one with the tax and the other without it.

In the first year, the tax would infuse county government with more than $24 million for everything from deputies to inoculations.

Neither budget includes raises, but the county will pay $1 million more to cover part of the rising cost of employee health insurance whether the tax passes or not.

Even if voters OK the tax, El Paso County won’t have enough cash to fund a backlog of capital projects, such as a new Human Services Department building, and operational needs such as vehicles that need to be replaced. Also, it’s likely jobs could be cut in the Parks Department and Clerk and Recorder’s Office next year even if the tax is approved.

Commissioner Amy Lathen said neither budget is perfect, and she thinks there still might be opportunities to shave costs. “I’m barking up that tree,” she said.

Commission Chairman Dennis Hisey said commissioners will adopt a budget after the Nov. 4 election.

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Contact the writer: 636-0238 or pam.zubeck@gazettedev.gazette.com

Broncos running back Michael Pittman has made the most of his playing time this season and could remain the team’s starter. Photo by (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)