TL/DR –
Chaffee County Commissioner P.T. Wood, who is seeking re-election, recently defended the county’s budget growth over the past decade during a campaign gathering and explained that much of the funding comes from non-local sources such as grants, state funding, and enterprise funds. He affirmed his support for investments in child care and housing, citing the county’s creation of 148 childcare slots and its efforts to address housing costs, including price-restricted homes for qualifying households. Wood also argued that the role and size of county government should be evaluated based on the programs and services it provides, not just the amount of money it spends.
P.T. Wood Defends His Term and Argues for Re-election as Chaffee County Commissioner
Commissioner P.T. Wood, in a recent campaign gathering, defended his positions and outlined his vision for a second term. He discussed several concerns, including the county budget, housing, childcare, and more, which his Republican opponent has labeled as excessive.
Stance on County Budget
Wood supported the county budget expansion over the last decade, which his opponent, Toby Taylor, criticized as being too large. In a conversation with the Ark Valley Voice, Wood maintained that Chaffee County is “incredibly fiscally conservative,” contrasting the county’s $22 million General Fund with its $62 million overall budget. He argued that the total budget includes not just locally generated revenue from the General Fund, but also state funding, grants, and enterprise funds. These figures, according to county records, are aligned with Wood’s claims.
While Taylor questioned if residents are receiving three times the services in line with the budget growth, the county’s spending pattern does show a significant increase. Expenditures rose from $25 million in 2016 to approximately $58.6 million in 2026. However, Wood pointed out that the overall budget has seen a decrease of about $8 million since his tenure started.
Changes in Budget Trends
Wood attributes the decline in budget to the completion of county projects that were funded by the temporary federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act during the pandemic. He mentioned that although some minor programs were reduced, a significant portion of the change was due to lowered project spending. He stated, “We’re just not building as much anymore.”
Investment in Childcare
Wood cited the county’s investment in childcare as an example of where the budget has been used effectively. He reported that the county has added approximately 148 childcare slots, a claim supported by county records. He believes that a comprehensive evaluation of county spending should include not just the amount of money spent, but also the programs and services it supports.
Views on Housing and Energy
The housing and construction costs remain a point of contention in the District 3 race. Republican challenger Taylor blamed county regulations for the increasing construction costs and pointed to the declining residential permits as proof. Wood, however, argued that the energy standards affecting new construction, including requirements related to electric-vehicle charging, are not solely dictated by the county government. He stated, “We’re a branch of the state,” arguing that the state dictates much of what counties must require.
Addressing Housing Costs
Wood believes that local government has a part to play in addressing housing costs directly. He pointed to the work done by The Chaffee Housing Authority, a separate public organization created by participating local governments. The authority lists price-restricted homes available to qualifying households at $235,000 for one bedroom, $285,000 for two bedrooms, and $350,000 for three bedrooms at The Crossing in Buena Vista.
The Role of County Government
Wood views the county government as operating within the constraints of the state while using the resources and authority at the local level to address issues like housing. In the face of criticism about his role on the Board of County Commissioners, Wood referred to the other two commissioners, stating, “I would ask the other commissioners. They are both here.” His fellow commissioners, Dave Armstrong and Gina Lucrezi, both attended Wood’s house party, with Armstrong publicly expressing his positive experiences working with Wood.
A Case for Experience
Wood believes that experience is vital for the role of a county commissioner. He emphasized his understanding of county budgets, the range of services the county government is responsible for, and the need to keep abreast of state legislation. He also stressed the importance of relationships with state and federal officials in advocating for Chaffee County.
Featured image: Chaffee County Commissioner P.T. Wood speaks at an August house party for his reelection campaign. Photo by Jessica Mitchell.
—
Read More US Economic News