El Paso County commissioners voted Monday to send a formal letter asking the sheriff and the officers’ association to meet. The request aims to address a county budget shortfall tied to the sheriff’s office.

The commissioners are pressing for talks that could cover funding, staffing and service priorities. They approved the letter during their regular meeting on Monday.

The goal of the outreach is to bring county leaders and law enforcement representatives to the same table. Commissioners want to explore options before finalizing budget decisions.

The letter asks for open discussions and a chance to review potential impacts on public safety services. County officials said they want clear information before making budget cuts or reallocations.

Officials did not announce a firm timeline for the meetings. The next steps will depend on the sheriff’s office and the officers’ association responding to the formal request.

Residents can expect updates as talks proceed. The outcome could affect staffing levels, patrol coverage and other services provided by the sheriff’s office.