HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Full - Finance Committee - 09/05/2024 -Finance Administration
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AGENDA
Council Finance Committee Hybrid Meeting
September 5, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 pm
CIC Room
Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/8140111859
Approval of Minutes from the July 3, 2024, and the August 1, 2024, Council Finance Committee meetings.
1. Fund Balances T. Storin
Presentation: 10 mins.
Discussion: 20 mins.
2. Adjustment Ordinance L.Pollack
Presentation: 10 mins.
Discussion: 20 mins.
3. Electric System Appropriations T. Walker
Presentation: 15 mins. C. Snowdon
Discussion: 20 mins.
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Council Finance Committee
2024 Agenda Planning Calendar
Revised 8/28/24 ck
Sept. 5th 2024
Fund Balances 30 min T. Storin
Adjustment Ordinance 30 min L. Pollack
Electric System Appropriations 35 min
October 3rd 2024
Hold for Audit Results 45 min R Bailey
CCIP Project Options 45 min
November 5th 2024
60 min K, Kleer
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Finance Administration
215 N. Mason
nd Floor
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6788
970.221.6782 - fax
fcgov.com
Council Finance Committee Hybrid Meeting
CIC Room / Zoom
August 1, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Council Attendees: Mayor Arndt, Tricia Canonico
Staff: Kelly DiMartino, Tyler Marr, Travis Storin, Ginny Sawyer,
Jacob Castillo, Beth Yonce, Adam Molzer, Wendy Bricher, Drew Brooks
Dean Klingner, Victoria Shaw, LeeAnn Williams, Dana Hornkohl, Brad Buckman,
Eric Keselburg, Nina Bodenhamer, Africa Garcia Farina, Randy Bailey, Dave Lenz,
Jen Poznanovic, Joe Wimmer, Carolyn Koontz
Other: Joe Rowan
Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm
Approval of minutes from July 3, 2024, Council Finance Committee Meeting was postponed to the September 5th
meeting when the committee members who were present at the July 3rd meeting will be in attendance.
A. Grocery Tax Rebate Program
Adam Molzer, Manager, Social Sustainability
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Grocery Tax Rebate program’s 2024 budget affords $165,000 for rebates to qualified residents. Due to
increased participation in the program, the total rebate payouts in 2024 are anticipated to be near $583,000. An
appropriation of general fund dollars of $418,460 would fulfill the budget necessary to meet this obligation. In
addition, $24,000 needs to be allocated to cover an anticipated staffing shortfall due to the Council-supported
personnel conversion to classified status of the Program Coordinator in 2024.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Does Council Finance Committee support a general fund appropriation request of $442,460 that will make
the Grocery Tax Rebate program budget whole in 2024?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION (details of item – History, current policy, previous Council actions, alternatives or
options, costs or benefits, considerations leading to staff conclusions, data and statistics, next steps, etc.)
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Program Details:
Established in 1972, the Grocery Tax Rebate is intended to provide financially insecure residents relief from City
sales tax charged on purchased food. The rebate amount is currently $80 per person.
Grocery Tax Rebate qualifications include:
• Resident inside the Fort Collins Growth Management Area (GMA).
• Household income between 0-60% of Area Median Income (AMI).
• Must have a document that aligns the applicant’s identity with a Fort Collins address.
Applications are submitted via the Get FoCo online platform, where staff manually review each application and
the uploaded documentation (EBT card copy, Medicaid card, LEAP letter, Free/Reduced Lunch letter) to verify
income and residency eligibility. This is the third year partnering with Get FoCo and 96% of applications are now
received via the web platform.
One 0.75-FTE staff member assists residents with the application process, manually uploads payment data, and
supports a variety of other program functions to ensure a positive customer experience. This staff position was
converted from hourly to classified status with benefits in January 2024, per Council guidance.
Program Growth:
Between 2020-2023, the number of applications received increased over 95%, and rebates issued grew by 186%.
In 2023, the City processed 1,966 applications. The total amount issued in 2023 for the grocery rebate program
was $354,121. The FY2023 budget afforded $150,000 for rebates.
From January to June 2024, the City has processed 1,553 applications. The total amount issued year-to-date in
2024 is $292,460. The FY2024 budget affords $165,000 for rebates.
If a monthly average of $48,500 is realized for Q3 + Q4 2024, the total rebate obligation for 2024 will reach
$583,460. The monthly average during Q3 + Q4 2023 was $37,333.
Additionally, Council Finance Committee expressed support for the conversion of the Grocery Tax Rebate
Coordinator position from hourly to classified at their 12/14/2023 meeting. This conversion took effect in
January 2024 and the resulting $24,000 personnel budget shortfall needs to be made whole.
An appropriation to meet the 2024 rebate and personnel obligations will require Council approval.
Actual & Anticipated Obligation & Budget
Year Applications Household
Members
Grocery
Rebate Repeat %65+%Single
HH %GetFoco %
2020 1006 1890 $123,435 886 88%509 51%641 64%N/A N/A
2021 948 1758 $117,987 844 89%446 47%588 62%N/A N/A
2022 1281 2626 $181,186 857 67%486 38%686 54%614 48%
2023 1966 4654 $354,121 866 44%453 23%911 46%1572 80%
2024 YTD June 1553 3655 $292,460 643 41%277 18%713 46%1493 96%
* Rebate amounts above are tabulated by application receipt date, resulting in slight variations from the City's fiscal year due to timing.
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Estimated Funding Needed $442,460
Lastly, the 2020-2024 data set also reveals the following about program participation trends:
• Increased enrollment of new participants to the rebate program (lower proportion of repeat participants).
• Residents under age 65 are increasingly participating in the rebate program.
• Households with sizes greater than one are increasingly participating in the rebate program.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Does Council Finance Committee support a general fund appropriation request of $442,460 that will make
the Grocery Tax Rebate program budget whole in 2024?
DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS
Mayor Arndt; do we charge the same sales tax on food that we do on everything else?
Travis Storin; we do not, the renewables do not apply at the grocery store.
Jen Poznanovic; 2.25 % is the grocery sales tax rate and the full rate is 4.35%
Mayor Arndt; I can’t think of a single thing that is fairer. 0-60% AMI seems fair as well.
Tricia Canonico; what do we see as an uptick rate going forward? Will we see these increases YOY with Get
FoCo? What are we anticipating that we will need to budget in the future?
Travis Storin; one of our primary strategies is to recruit more users. We are up to just shy of 2K households
registered in the app which represents approximately 4,500 residents. We are getting a pretty broad reach now.
Once they are enrolled on the app, the majority tend to enroll in multiple programs. Africa, would you like to
address the engagement strategies you are working with?
Africa Garcia Farnia; we have multiple partners around town including PSD and the Library District. We recruit
partners who can help us get more folks enrolled in Get FoCo. We currently have over 3,000 active accounts on
Get FoCo. Not all have renewed the grocery store rebate for 2024. We are expecting another 1,500.
Travis Storin; before having the Get FoCo tool – it was ads on buses and on radio. We had some limited
efficacity.
Tricia Canonico: moving forward, are we budgeting for an increase with the grocery tax rebate?
Travis Storin; you will see an increase in the Recommended Budget when it is published later this month, it is not
quite to these levels. We may be setting ourselves up to return to this committee for an additional
appropriation this time next year. The grocery sales tax rebate program has a rolling 12-month enrollment.
Tricia Canonico; I know you said most of the folks are receiving it for the first time. Why aren’t we seeing more
folks from previous years? Why aren’t they reapplying?
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Adam Molzer; in 2023, 44% were returning applicants, in 2022, it was 67% and 2021 it was 89%. With Get FoCo,
we are still seeing the repeat applications, but they are lower proportionally due to all of the new applicants.
Travis Storin; this program was almost exclusively characterized as being utilized by frequent fliers who were
aware of the program and in a very specific age demographic. We are taking this as a good news story as the
program reaches younger and more diverse residents including families.
Mayor Arndt; what is the total revenue that the grocery sales tax brings in?
Jen Poznanovic; groceries are approximately 20% of our total sales tax revenue.
The grocery sales tax category is one of our larger categories of the 18 categories that we have.
I will get the number and circle back.
Nina Bodenhamer; some of the other communities that offer a rebate in this space adjust the rebate amount
based on other levers. Possibly a conversation going forward might we, do we adjust our payout based on the
volume of participation?
Mayor Arndt; I can see that question coming up – do we go to 50% AMI. I would say increase the budget
versus decreasing the amount refunded or reducing participation.
Travis Storin; $3500 per household member (2.25% of that is the $80) to get the total dollar amount we are
refunding.
Tricia Canonico; do we have any date on how much the average family spends on groceries per year?
Travis Storin; we could canvass our department to see if we have any data. I will take this as a follow up.
Mayor Arndt; this is a great program – forgoing a tax.
Travis Storin; we will bring this to the full Council as soon as practical.
B. Recreation Rebate (Reduced Fee) Program
Victoria Shaw, Senior FP&A Manager, Community Services
LeAnn Williams, Recreation Director, Community Services
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Recreation reduced fee program provides an opportunity for income qualified members of the community
to take part in recreational activities at a discounted rate. The program has been funded at the level of $190,000
per year from the General Fund, however usage and needs have surpassed this allocation. In 2023, the
allocation covered approximately 50% of the usage.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Does Council Finance Committee have any feedback for staff on reduced fee program offered by Recreation?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
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The reduced fee scholarships offered by Recreation have an ongoing goal of filling the gap for the
community by ensuring anybody that meets the program’s qualifications can access the valuable, engaging,
educational and beneficial programs offered by the Recreation department.
Program Details:
The program offers drop-in passes which allow for unlimited drop-in visits to facilities, and automated discounts
for activity enrollments. By minimizing financial barriers, the recreation department can serve and support the
community with programs that promote health, wellness, and overall well-being.
Eligibility for the program requires participants to reside in the Fort Collins Growth Management Area and meet
income standards. The income standards can be met with proof of income up to 185% of the Federal Poverty
Level or qualification through the Poudre School District free and reduced lunch program.
The passes then allow community members to access additional recreation programs at a discounted rate
without additional approvals. The discounted rates for these services are:
• $50 Family Pass: includes 2 adults and no limit on children in the same household.
• $30 Adult Pass: for those 18-59 years of age (not including those who are currently attending high school).
• $10 Youth/Senior Pass: for those under 18 or 60 and over.
• Beginner/Introductory classes receive 90% discount.
• Intermediate level classes, fitness classes, youth sports leagues, CARA Track & Cross-Country, SuperTots &
Skyhawks receive 70% discount.
• Advanced/Competitive classes receive 10% discount.
Program Participation:
Participation in these offerings has been robust, with a steep decline in 2020 due to the pandemic. Activity
enrollments rebounded to pre-pandemic levels in 2021 and have since increased to 72% above the pre-
pandemic level in 2023, suggesting the need for this program is higher than ever and programs have been more
effective at reaching the qualifying populations.
Similarly, reduced fee pass scans also declined steeply in 2020. They have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels but
have not seen the same degree of growth as the activity enrollments.
3,161
5,285 5,494
2,450
5,556
7,810
9,469
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Recreation Low-Income Activity Enrollments
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Participation is tracked for youth and adult programming. The majority of costs (78.5%) are associated with youth
requests. This is driven by the reduced fee childcare and youth programs. The below table breaks down the youth
and adult participation by programs.
Youth Activities Summary # Requests Value of Requests
Swim lessons 784 $39,350
Skating 252 $19,455
Adaptive - $0
Pottery 155 $10,119
Northside Atzlan Youth 1,098 $124,433
Foothills Activity Center Youth 233 $14,822
Sports 926 $67,711
Farm 164 $12,012
Youth Tennis 114 $9,154
3,726 $297,057
Adult Activities # Requests Value of Requests
Aqua fitness 176 $5,164
Adult Swim lessons 19 $599
Adaptive 890 $30,902
Skating 19 $499
Social 9 $174
Arts and Crafts 111 $6,206
Fitness/Wellness 4,131 $13,784
Pottery 103 $11,093
Educational 90 $3,611
Dance 87 $2,881
Adult Tennis 44 $4,559
3,161
5,285 5,494
2,450
5,556
7,810
9,469
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Recreation Low-Income Activity Enrollments
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64 $1,852
5,743 $81,322
Program Funding:
The program has not been turning away participants based on available funding. The current funding level of
$190,000 per year is allocated across the actual usage for the program and allows for partial revenue
reimbursement. The Recreation fund by default foregoes any of the revenue not backfilled by the General Fund
funding level. In 2023, this funding level represented about 50% of the General Fund reimbursement, and 50%
foregone revenue to the Recreation fund.
DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS;
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Does Council Finance Committee have any feedback for staff on reduced fee program offered by Recreation?
LeeAnn Williams; we used to be PSD as our boundary but now it is our GMA
30% AMI. They are automatically enrolled if they qualify for free / reduced rate lunch program.
Rebounded after the pandemic and has increased Summer camp – daycare. Some communities just do youth.
We have silver sneakers – through their insurance providers
They don’t pay anything – we get reimbursed for up to 10 visits per month
When we build the SE Comm Center – we will see an increase then
We are proud of this program – we don’t limit how much money we spend
Victoria Shaw; the General Fund contributes about a50% reimbursement
Childcare – summer camp – 40% of participation - Nexxus in community for our families
We don’t have a projected shortfall
This is a high priority Aligns with our strategic objectives
Mayor Arndt; makes me feel good. Do we do any City Give work around?
I think this is one of those intangible things that people can’t put their finger on but that makes living in Fort
Collins
Adam Snow donors who very specific with what programs
Access & recreation - He hosted a golf tournament at City Park 9 We usually exceed our revenue projections
Tricia Canonico; great work –I was just talking with my sister-in-law who has 3 little ones about the importance
of childcare which is supplemented for her by her employer.
Travis Storin; those were our two income qualified programs we wanted to review with you today.
C. Engineering Supplemental Appropriations
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Brad Buckman, City Engineer
Monica Martinez, Sr. Manager FP&A
Dana Hornkohl, Director, Civil Engineering
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Engineering Capital Projects – Supplemental Appropriations (4 projects)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Four current transportation capital improvement projects will require additional funding for work to continue
prior to proposed Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO) offers being finalized later this year for appropriation in 2025.
Two of these projects are under construction: Laporte Avenue Multimodal Improvements (Laporte) and College
Avenue – Trilby Road Intersection Improvements (College/Trilby). Two more projects are currently under design:
Zach Elementary School Crossings – Safe Routes to School (Zach SRTS) and College Avenue – Triangle Drive
Intersection Improvements (College/Triangle). Zach Elementary SRTS is scheduled to begin construction later
this year; College/Triangle is scheduled to begin construction early in 2025. The estimated cost to complete
these projects will exceed the currently appropriated budgets. There is sufficient discretionary transportation
funding available to complete these projects if appropriated. It is necessary to 1) appropriate additional funds to
complete these projects, 2) reduce scope, and/or 3) delay final delivery. Reduction of scope will result in
projects that do not fully meet the established project goals or adopted City standards and plans. Delaying final
delivery until other funding becomes available will negatively impact other transportation capital projects in the
delivery pipeline. Staff is recommending supplemental appropriations totaling $4,152,470 which would allow for
completion of the four projects as intended when work began. This request is coming before Council Finance
Committee now to avoid additional cost impacts due to potentially pausing and restarting active construction
and design projects.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
• Does Council Finance Committee support an off-cycle appropriation of Highway Safety Improvement
Program (HSIP) Grant Funds, Transportation Capital Expansion Fee (TCEF) Funds, and Transportation
Services Fund Reserves as well as a reappropriation of funds from the Laporte Bridges project to
complete the Laporte Avenue Multimodal Improvements project?
• Does Council Finance Committee support an off-cycle appropriation of TCEF Funds, Transportation
Services Fund Reserves, and Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) Arterial Intersection
Improvements Fund to complete the College Avenue – Trilby Road Intersection Improvements project?
• Does Council Finance Committee support an off-cycle appropriation of TCEF Funds and Transportation
Services Fund Reserves to complete the Zach Elementary School Crossings – Safe Routes to School
project?
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• Does Council Finance Committee support an off-cycle appropriation of Funding Advancements for
Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery (FASTER) Act Grant Funds, Colorado Department of
Transportation (CDOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Funds, TCEF Funds, and Transportation
Services Fund Reserves to complete the College Avenue – Triangle Drive Intersection Improvements
project?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Since the Summer of 2021, the nation, Colorado, and the Denver region have experienced significant inflation in
construction costs (Attachments 1, 2, and 3). The CDOT Colorado Construction Cost Index (CCI) reports an
annual percentage increase in construction costs of 8.03%. These inflationary pressures continue to impact the
City’s transportation capital improvement projects that are in active design and construction. Costs to acquire
real property for right-of-way, permanent easements, temporary easements, and the professional services
associated with acquiring real property have also escalated significantly over the same period.
Laporte Avenue Multimodal Improvements
The Laporte project will provide pedestrian and bicycle side paths in three phases 1) between Taft Hill Rd and
Frey Ave (Bridges), 2) between Frey Ave and Fishback Ave (East), and 3) between Sunset St and Taft Hill Rd
(West). The initial phase of this work (Bridges) was completed in 2023 and replaced two aging bridges in the
corridor. The second phase of this work (East) began earlier this year and is scheduled to be completed later this
summer. The third phase (West) is scheduled to begin in October once property acquisition is complete.
The project delivery method for the East and West phases of the project is Construction Manager/General
Contractor (CM/GC). The chosen contractor held pricing for the East phase despite a delay in beginning
construction due to property acquisition and CDOT approval. The contractor has demonstrated by providing
open book pricing, confirmed by an independent cost estimate, that price escalation has impacted many of the
materials and costs for the West phase. The cost to acquire real property for the West phase has been
significantly higher than was estimated. Construction was broken into an East and West phase to accommodate
the property acquisition schedule introducing additional design cost. During this design effort, the City applied
for and was awarded Fiscal Year 2027 HSIP grant funds to install a Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) in
the West phase of the project. CDOT has agreed to provide the funding early so that the RRFB may be included
in the construction. Savings from the Bridges phase ($517,000) can be reappropriated to the West phase.
Including the local match for the HSIP award, it is estimated that an additional $560,055 (including $49,500 in
CDOT HSIP funds) is needed to complete construction on the West phase.
College Avenue – Trilby Road Intersection Improvements
The College/Trilby project will improve safety for current and future traffic levels as growth continues in the
region and will create a safer intersection for all users. Dual use side paths for pedestrians and bicycles are
included throughout the intersection. The intersection will feature dual left turn lanes from S College Ave to
Trilby Rd, right turn lanes for each direction of travel, and a widened Trilby Rd approach to S College Ave.
Right-of-way acquisition costs for the College/Trilby project have been significantly more than was initially
estimated (~$3.0M), with total acquisition costs likely to be ~$4.5M. The primary factor in this increase is land
value escalation over the period of acquisition. As with the Laporte project, the delivery method for the
College/Trilby project is CM/GC. Construction was broken into three phases to take advantage of property that
had been acquired and to lock in lower pricing for early work. Phase 1 work (walls) began earlier this year. Phase
2 construction (utility relocation and storm drainage) will begin in several weeks, with Phase 3 work (sidewalks,
paving, signals, landscaping) following later this Fall. Work is scheduled to be complete next Spring. As with
Laporte, the contractor has provided open book pricing for Phase 2 and 3 that has been confirmed by an
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independent cost estimate. The pricing shows escalation for several items including storm drainage
infrastructure. It is estimated that the project will need $1,509,000 to address the construction and acquisition
escalation.
As property around the College/Trilby project redevelops, the redevelopment will trigger repayments to the City
for the eligible costs of the intersection improvements, including right-of-way acquisition. Currently, that total is
estimated to be approximately $1.25M. Reimbursement payments will be due to the City upon execution of any
development agreement.
Zach Elementary School Crossings – Safe Routes to School
The Zach Elementary SRTS project will provide signal and crossing improvements across Kechter Rd at Jupiter Dr
and Cinquefoil Ln. SRTS grant funding was awarded in 2023. After the award, during the design phase, additional
concrete work was identified and included in the project. It was also determined that there was temporary
easement acquisition needed to complete the project that was not originally included in the project budget.
With the additional work, easement acquisition, and construction cost escalation, it is estimated that the project
will need $454,500 to begin construction later this Fall and ending early in 2025.
College Avenue – Triangle Drive Intersection Improvements
The College/Triangle project will install a new traffic signal as well as bicycle and pedestrian improvements
connecting Triangle Dr to the northeast towards the Lakeview on the Rise development and onto Water’s Way
Park. There is severe crash history at this intersection and in 2023 CDOT committed FASTER funding to the City
for signal improvements. CDOT has also committed funding for pedestrian improvements to bring the
intersection into compliance with ADA requirements. Working with a consultant, the City has developed 30%
design documentation and a total cost estimate of $1,628,915 (including $832,211 in CDOT FASTER and ADA
funds).
Staff has identified three alternatives to reach final completion on the four projects.
• Option 1: Secure off-cycle appropriations for the projects to complete design, acquisition, and construction
and avoid additional costs with delaying the work. There is currently sufficient discretionary funding to cover
these proposed appropriations.
• Option 2: Reduce the scope of work for the projects. All four projects have been value engineered to
minimize costs. Additional reduction of scope would potentially compromise project goals or limit the ability
to meet City standards.
• Option 3: Delay final delivery until additional funding can be secured. This option would result in the project
not meeting the identified project goals within the promised timeframe, expose the remaining work to
further inflation, and would impact the schedule and budget for other transportation capital projects in the
design, acquisition, and construction pipeline.
Summary of requested supplemental appropriations for all four projects.
• Grant Funds: $881,711
• TCEF Reserves: $2,220,230
• Transportation Fund Reserves: $450,529
• CCIP – Arterial Intersection Improvements: $600,000
• Total: $4,152,470
Summary of Existing Funding and Proposed Supplemental Appropriations
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DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS;
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
• Does Council Finance Committee support an off-cycle appropriation of Highway Safety Improvement
Program (HSIP) Grant Funds, Transportation Capital Expansion Fee (TCEF) Funds, and Transportation
Services Fund Reserves as well as a reappropriation of funds from the Laporte Bridges project to
complete the Laporte Avenue Multimodal Improvements project?
• Does Council Finance Committee support an off-cycle appropriation of TCEF Funds, Transportation
Services Fund Reserves, and Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) Arterial Intersection
Improvements Fund to complete the College Avenue – Trilby Road Intersection Improvements project?
• Does Council Finance Committee support an off-cycle appropriation of TCEF Funds and Transportation
Services Fund Reserves to complete the Zach Elementary School Crossings – Safe Routes to School
project?
• Does Council Finance Committee support an off-cycle appropriation of Funding Advancements for
Surface Transportation and Economic Recovery (FASTER) Act Grant Funds, Colorado Department of
Transportation (CDOT) Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Funds, TCEF Funds, and Transportation
Services Fund Reserves to complete the College Avenue – Triangle Drive Intersection Improvements
project?
Staff has identified three alternatives to reach final completion on the four projects.
• Option 1: Secure off-cycle appropriations for the projects to complete design, acquisition, and construction
and avoid additional costs with delaying the work. There is currently sufficient discretionary funding to cover
these proposed appropriations.
• Option 2: Reduce the scope of work for the projects. All four projects have been value engineered to
minimize costs. Additional reduction of scope would potentially compromise project goals or limit the ability
to meet City standards.
• Option 3: Delay final delivery until additional funding can be secured. This option would result in the project
not meeting the identified project goals within the promised timeframe, expose the remaining work to
further inflation, and would impact the schedule and budget for other transportation capital projects in the
design, acquisition, and construction pipeline.
Mayor Arndt; do we pay interest rates on these acquisitions – curious about funding
Kelly DiMartino; we fund it with cash from a variety of sources – always cash on hand.
Off cycle appropriation to complete the first two due to inflation impacts
Grant Funds Local Funds Re-
Appropriation Total Grant Funds TCEF Reserves Trans. Fund
Reserves
CCIP Arterial
Intersection
Fund
Total Increase
Laporte 4,937,500$ 1,365,495$ 517,000$ 6,819,995$ 49,500$ 335,454$ 175,101$ -$ 560,055$ 8%
College/Trilby 13,640,992$ 2,873,513$ -$ 16,514,505$ -$ 908,820$ 180$ 600,000$ 1,509,000$ 9%
Zach Elementary SRTS 745,587$ 187,397$ -$ 932,984$ -$ 179,410$ 275,090$ -$ 454,500$ 49%
College/Triangle -$ -$ -$ -$ 832,211$ 796,546$ 158$ -$ 1,628,915$ N/A
TOTAL 19,324,079$ 4,426,405$ 517,000$ 24,267,484$ 881,711$ 2,220,230$ 450,529$ 600,000$ 4,152,470$ N/A
Previously Appropriated Proposed Supplemental Appropriations
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Travis Storin; the dollars are there - reserves in the upcoming 2025 -26 Budget. I commend the team for a
creative approach with the funding stack.
Since we are in the middle delay the cross walk on Impala
Mayor Arndt; that is a drop in the bucket - if we are in the middle of something - we should finish it –it feels like
a higher priority to finish the ones that are in process.
Tyler Marr; funding these inflation impacts are delaying the start of other things which carry an opportunity
cost. Some new things may be delayed.
Tricia Canonico; no upside to delaying or downsizing the project - a lot of grant funding opportunities
It is too bad that we keep seeing the constructions costs increasing. I would support moving forward.
Do we anticipate any stabilization in the coming year for the construction costs increases?
Dana Hornkohl; there has been no indication of that yet. A lot of volatility in concrete and asphalt costs.
Mayor Arndt; I am sure they will talk about tradeoffs in the budget.
D. Parking Supplemental Appropriations
Eric Keselburg, Sr Manager, Parking Services
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Parking Services is requesting appropriation of available Parking Reserves to fund the following items. The Civic
Center Parking Structure (CCPS) item will be funded using dedicated CCPS Reserves.
1. The southeast corner public stairwell in CCPS needs to be replaced, as identified during the recent condition
assessment. This stairwell is located on the most heavily trafficked exit from CCPS and has been closed since
June 2020, as design and funding are finalized.
2. Parking Services began sealant work in the Firehouse Alley Garage in 2023. Funds allocated for this project in
2023 were not used due to timing delays and subsequently became part of the Parking Reserves. These
funds are now needed to complete the project.
3. Parking Services presented to City Council in October 2023, to request support to research a sustainable
funding model for the downtown parking system. The scope for the Request for Proposal (RFP) has been
drafted and reviewed by the Downtown Development Authority (DDA); which has agreed to contribute
financially to assist with the Downtown Parking System Strategy Study, and subsequent implementation
plan.
4. The third-party security company, Precision Security, provides security services in the three (3) City-
managed parking structures. The current staffing and hours of coverage are not changing; however, the cost
of service has increased yearly including a 4.5% for 2024 service.
Parking Services is requesting appropriations versus aligning with the standard Budgeting for Outcomes (BFO)
process due to project timing and the need to adjust the current year budget.
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GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Parking Services is requesting the appropriation of available Parking Services reserve funding to allow for
movement on the customer experience items, and to allow the RFP to be submitted to begin the downtown
parking study; to gather both partner and community feedback, ahead of Council direction.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
There are a few asks being compiled together. The first being the CCPS stairwell, which following the 2019
condition assessment was found to have repair needs. Due to the pandemic and financial constraints imposed
on Parking Services, the maintenance schedule was paused (approved by the contracted structural engineering
firm). Once the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding was provided (BFO cycle 2022/2023), Parking Services
resumed maintenance repairs. However, the subsequent and necessary condition assessment performed found
that the southeast stairwell had degraded to an unsafe level; which required it to be closed (June 2022) for
public use. Several design options were discussed and presented; that said, a viable design was submitted, and a
path forward was determined. To complete this project a supplemental appropriation of $1,200,000 is being
requested. These funds will be appropriated from the CCPS Reserves.
The second request is to utilize prior funding which was set-aside in 2023 for necessary parking structure deck
sealant maintenance work in FAPS. This project was planned to bridge funding availability from both 2023 and
2024; due to timing delays, the available 2023 funding was not used and subsequently rolled into the Parking
Reserves. To complete this project a supplemental appropriation of $110,000 is requested. These funds will be
appropriated from Parking Reserves.
The third ask revolves around the following. Parking Services presented to City Council at a work session in
October 2023, specifically pertaining to the current state of the Parking Services operation and the request to
support continuing efforts to develop a new financial and strategic model and related implementation plan for
downtown parking. The identified problem statement showcased that the current parking system model does
not provide the parking choices needed for those who visit the downtown area. As well, it is incapable of
addressing the demand distribution challenges, which frustrates our users, because of the reliance on an
enforcement methodology and the use of low dollar paid parking in undesirable facilities. Also, Parking Services
is unable to fulfill its required goals to fund its maintenance needs because it cannot achieve cost neutrality in its
current model. The scope of the RFP has been drafted and reviewed by the DDA, who agreed to contribute
financially to the downtown parking study. At this time, a supplemental appropriation of $185,000 is requested
to fund this work. The DDA has agreed to reimburse the City for the cost in the amount of $65,000 or up to 50%
of total cost.
The final piece of the request is due to the increased cost of third-party security services provided in the three
(3) City-managed parking structures. Parking Services contracts armed security to ensure the evening and late-
night users of the parking facilities have adequate protection, with armed security at each facility, with added
security staffing during the weekend. The cost of the contract for armed security has increased yearly including
an increase of 4.5% in 2024. Parking has managed past yearly increases within its budget, but cost increases
have now accumulated resulting in this request for $50,000 in supplemental appropriation from Parking
Reserves.
The available reserve balance is sufficient to cover the presented requests and will help to minimize execution,
and advance efforts made to date. As well, the contract increase will provide uninterrupted security coverage
for our downtown customers.
DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS;
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GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Parking Services is requesting the appropriation of available Parking Services reserve funding to allow for
movement on the customer experience items, and to allow the RFP to be submitted to begin the downtown
parking study; to gather both partner and community feedback, ahead of Council direction.
Paused due to pandemic - SE stairwell in the Civic Center Parking structure was closed in 2022
We have identified a path forward – 12-18 months – our goal is summer/ fall for 2025 to reopen the SE
stairway.
Monica Martinez; basically, we had a situation where it should have been put in a Purchase Order per
the standard process, but that did not occur - funding did not get picked up there –
Mayor Arndt; what is the additional $185K for?
Eric Keselburg; we worked with a parking consultant for the downtown parking study leading up to the
presentation to the Council. This would be for the second half of the study where we reach out to
some of the stakeholders which will lead to a recommendation to Council for next steps. The DDA has
agreed to come forward with some funding as well.
Mayor Arndt; I am fine with all of this. The Council is anxious to be helpful in the parking structure
repairs.
Tricia Canonica; we would like to see this moving forward – good to have that stairwell back in service
and to maintain our other parking structures. I am good with this.
Meeting adjourned at 5:05 pm
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Finance Administration
215 N. Mason
nd Floor
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6788
970.221.6782 - fax
fcgov.com
Council Finance Committee Hybrid Meeting
CIC Room / Zoom
July 3, 2024
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Council Attendees: Mayor Arndt, Emily Francis, Kelly Ohlson
Staff: Kelly DiMartino, Tyler Marr, Travis Storin, Jenny Lopez Filkins,
Teresa Roche, Ginny Sawyer, Nina Bodenhamer, Lawrence Pollack,
Meaghan Overton, Dean Klingner, Victoria Shaw, Drew Brooks, Cortney Geary,
Monica Martinez, LeeAnn Williams, Chief Bergsten, Kirsten Howard,
Teresa Roche, Nina Bodenhamer, Randy Bailey, Adam Halvorson, Jo Cech,
Trevor Nash, Renee Reeves, Kevin Wilkins, Dave Lenz, Joe Wimmer,
Carolyn Koontz
Meeting called to order at 4:02 pm
Approval of minutes from June 6, 2024, Council Finance Committee Meeting.
Emily Francis moved for approval of the minutes as presented. Kelly Ohlson seconded the motion.
The minutes were approved unanimously via roll call by; Mayor Arndt, Emily Francis, Kelly Ohlson.
A. CCIP Project List Update
Ginny Sawyer, Lead Policy & Project Manager
Joe Wimmer, Senior Financial Analyst
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Community Capital Improvement Tax Renewal
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to begin consideration of a community capital tax program for voter consideration in
November 2025.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. What questions does Council Finance Committee have on the initial projects listed?
2. What additional considerations does Council Finance Committee want included in the process?
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The City of Fort Collins has a 40+ year history of utilizing voter approved sales tax initiatives to fund major capital
projects. While many communities rely on bonding for capital projects, Fort Collins has committed to a “pay as
we go” model that has benefited the community through project engagement and utilizing tax collection from
both residents and non-residents. Past tax packages have demonstrated that core elements of success include:
- Benefiting the community as a whole both geographically and by interest; and
- Including projects that can leverage other funding and partnerships.
The current Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) tax will expire December 31, 2025. A renewal
package will be offered to voters in November 2025.
Staff has begun the initial work of identifying projects either identified in masterplans or flagged as needed
capital. This is not a staff recommended list but a first collection of potential projects. The project list will
continue to be refined over the next 12 months through Council interaction and public engagement.
Some details of note:
• Staff is researching other communities that use a revolving loan fund for affordable housing and looking at
the possibility of bonding against CCIP housing fund money to create a similar program.
• The Laporte Avenue redesign is not in any masterplan. This project came from a resident a few years ago
and staff offered adding it to potential projects for consideration.
• Projects will be further vetted to ensure they are more capital implementation than feasibility/planning
outcomes. Projects will also be vetted for scalability.
• While geographic disbursement of projects is a priority, the bulk of City-owned property and Poudre River
reaches with associated plans are located in the downtown area.
NEXT STEPS
Staff will continue to vet and refine offers as mentioned above. An outreach plan will be developed and this item
will come to a full council work session on August 27, 2024. The timeline anticipates Council referring a ballot
measure in July/August 2025 for the November 2025 ballot.
Proposed Projects:
Vision Zero Plan – Arterial Intersection Improvements: $10M
This project provides an annual fund for improvements to arterial intersections with safety improvements for
all travel modes. This funding has allowed City staff to provide needed design, local match for grants, and
construction funding, for previous major arterial intersection improvements. From the 10-year Transportation
Capital Improvement Program (TCIP), notable planned projects include:
- Shields and Prospect Intersection Improvements
- Shields and Horsetooth Intersection Improvements
- Drake and Lemay Intersection Improvements
- College and Drake Intersection Improvements
Active Modes Plan – Bike and Grade Separated Crossings: $20M
This project provides an annual fund to construct bicycle infrastructure as recommended in the Active Modes
Plan (AMP). This includes linear facility improvements such as buffered and separated bike lanes as well as spot
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treatments or crossing improvements such as bike/ped signals and protected intersections. Projects have
been prioritized using the outcomes-based evaluation measures of network connectivity, access to transit,
safety and comfort, and health and equity, with an emphasis on Safe Routes to Schools. This fund will combine
the previous CCIP Bicycle Infrastructure Improvements and CCIP Bike/Ped Grade Separated Crossing Funds so
will also fund pedestrian underpass projects that align with the AMP and the Strategic Trails Master Plan, as
well as aligns with our Vision Zero action plan.
Active Modes – Pedestrian Plan: $16M
This project provides an annual fund for construction of missing and ADA deficient sidewalks to complete the
build out of the City network as well as pedestrian crossing improvements recommended in the Active Modes
Plan. This funding provides approximately 1.5 to 2 miles of new sidewalk per year. Priority is given to areas near
schools to advance the Safe Routes to School Program, as well as along arterial roads. Fund can also provide for
local grant match.
Willow Street Streetscape: $5.3M
This project would create a better urban design corridor along Willow Street from Linden to Lincoln extending
the previous work done on Willow Street west of Linden. The project assumes two travel lanes, two parking
lanes, two bike lanes with 3-foot buffers and two 8-foot wide sidewalks.
Jefferson Street (College to Linden): $6.8M
Creating a corridor similar to the recently completed Linden Street project on Jefferson from College Ave to
Linden Street. Two drive lanes with a two-way center left turn lane through the corridor. The sidewalks would
be improved to be 22' wide similar to Linden Street.
Jefferson Street (Linden to Mountain): $7.4M
Creating a corridor similar to the recently completed Linden Street project on Jefferson from College Ave to
Linden Street. Two drive lanes with a two-way center left turn lane through the corridor. The sidewalks would
be improved to be 22' wide similar to Linden Street.
Laporte and College Plaza: $7.6M
The purpose of this project is to create an improved urban design and bike/ped space on Laporte from College
to Mason. The project would include 3 travel lanes and 2 8-foot buffered bike lanes west of College and 2 travel
lanes with 2-8 foot buffered bike lanes East of College. The project would create a pedestrian plaza in the area
surrounding College and Laporte.
Transfort Bus Stop Enhancements: $1M
Transfort was allotted $1M in the current CCIP. The first three years of CCIP funding (2016 through 2018)
funded ADA improvements at 86 stops. The next 4 years of CCIP funding ($400,000) was leveraged as the local
match for $1.5M in federal funds to complete ADA improvements at 134 stops, and purchase needed amenities
throughout the service area, including 25 shelters, approximately 90 other amenities such as benches and trash
cans. To date, 220 stops have seen ADA upgrades as a result of CCIP funding. There are approximately 40 bus
stops remaining that require ADA upgrades and additional funding will be needed for additional amenities, and
to maintain existing bus stops in a state of good repair for future riders.
Transfort Bus Replacement: $5M
Transfort leveraged $1M as local match to receive an additional $10.5M in other funding sources, mainly
federal, to purchase 14 buses. In the next 10 years, 30 buses reach the end of their useful life including eight (8)
60FT articulated MAX buses. Replacing buses at the end of their useful life is pivotal to maintaining the fleet in a
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state of good repair, minimizing mechanical breakdowns and maximizing on time route performance, while also
leading to lower lifetime maintenance costs.
Transfort Maintenance Facility: $16M
The vision for an expanded or new facility includes sufficient office space, training facilities, maintenance bays,
and bus parking facilities to house the additional buses needed for expanded service. A new facility includes the
potential for mixed use commercial space, and a new publicly accessible transit station. Current estimate for a
new facility is approximately $77M, not including design costs. This CCIP funding request would be leveraged
with federal grant dollars at a match rate of 80% federal funds and 20% local match and would be used toward
the design and expansion of the existing facility, and/or design and construction of a new facility.
Nature in the City (NIC): $1.5M
NIC projects provide opportunities for people to interact with and become stewards of their surrounding
environment. These projects increase wildlife values by creating stronger connectivity between larger patches
of urban habitat, such as natural areas and City parks. By funding both internal City efforts and public/private
partnerships, the community integrates diverse, native landscapes from the center of Fort Collins to the edges
of the Growth Management Area.
Housing Fund: $10M
Staff is researching potential new use of housing fund dollars including bonding against the amount to create a
revolving loan fund. We have also confirmed with local housing providers that any amount of gap funding is a
value.
Lee Martinez Farm Plan and Refresh: $2.6M
Preserving and expanding inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities reflects the values that make Fort Collins a
truly special place to live, work, and play. This project funds a plan and vision for the future of the Farm at Lee
Martinez Park along with capital funding to make enhancements and expansion to the Farm.
Mulberry Pool Replacement and Expansion: $26.8M
Mulberry Pool is the only pool in Fort Collins that provides a small year-round leisure pool that serves families.
Mulberry also provides lap lanes for both the community, Poudre School District swim teams and club teams
along with swim lessons for swimmers of all abilities.
A new modern facility would better serve the growing needs of Fort Collins. The facility could include a full
warm water leisure pool with zero entry, slide(s) and other play features. The facility will also include at least 6
lap lanes to maintain the current level of service for the Fort Collins swim community.
Pickleball Complex: $4M
A pickleball complex feasibility study is underway to determine if a community park site can close the gap in the
short-term while waiting for future community parks to be built. Building a 12-court complex would cost
approximately $4M.
Strategic Trails Implementation: $10M
The Strategic Trail Plan will be completed in 2024 and early 2025. Additional annual funding will support the
current Conservation Trust funding and expedite project delivery as developed by the plan.
Dog Parks: $2.5M
Funding would implement two new dog parks and bring existing dog parks up to the same standard.
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Bike Park: $5M
Implement first phase of a bike park based on feedback gathered in a future bike park feasibility study.
Children’s Garden and Infrastructure Upgrades: $4.9M
The Children's Garden was the first to open to the public 20 years ago. The field of informal learning in nature
has matured greatly and the garden is showing its age. A comprehensive renovation will rejuvenate the space,
better align with current learning theory, and address drainage and maintenance issues. The full scope of the
Children's Garden construction project includes the garden itself, along with reconsiderations of the entry and
access sequence for families as well as school groups, along with including art elements and interpretive
signage.
Historic Trolley Building Restoration: $15.4M
The historic Car Barn/Trolley Building at 330 N Howes St, which has been stabilized for use as interim storage
for the Museum of Discovery, provides an opportunity for an iconic structure to be rehabilitated and adapted
for a community-centered use. The 2017 Downtown Master Plan identifies the building for restoration and
repurposing into a local attraction.
Police Detention Remodel: $400K
This project is a remodel of the detention area at the Police Station to make the total area in the building more
useable. Since the original construction of the Police Station, the detention area has not been used because of
regulatory restrictions and currently acts as a storage facility.
Catering Kitchen at the Lincoln Center: $2.6M
The Lincoln Center’s event catering kitchen is in need of a full remodel. The kitchen has not been updated since
its time serving as the kitchen for Lincoln Junior High prior to that property becoming The Lincoln Center in
1977. The kitchen is crucial to reputation and operations as an event center. Numerous operational aspects
need to be updated.
Museum of Discovery Artifact Storage and Care: $2.9M
This project creates clean, safe, climate controlled, publicly accessibility, housing for historic Museum artifacts.
New storage will replace the current off-site storage located in the historic Trolley/Car Barn building. Relocating
the Museum's storage will allow for public use for the historic Car Barn building.
Downtown River Projects: $2-$32M
The Downtown reaches of The Cache la Poudre River – the sections from Shields Street to Mulberry -were
planned in the Downtown River Plan. Whitewater Park, considered Reach 3, was completed in the last CCIP.
Both Reach 2 (including Lee Martinez and Legacy Parks) and Reach 4 (including Old Fort Collins Heritage Park)
are potential next phase projects. Options for implementation would be full funding at $32M for Reach 2 or
$22M for Reach 4 or looking to progress public outreach and conceptual design in both areas for $2M.
Construction Waste Diversion Equipment Replacement: $2.2M
Five pieces of heavy machinery are included in this offer. The Crushing and Recycling Facility is a significant
contributor to waste diversion and provides recycled materials to the public. In 2023, this facility processed
approximately 138,000 tons of concrete and asphalt for reuse and diverting this material from the landfill.
Shared Commercial Kitchen: $1M
This project will create a (feasibility study) shared commercial kitchen and co-working space to help fill a gap in
the food business and entrepreneurial eco-system. With the increase in entrepreneurial food businesses,
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particularly in our underserved and underrepresented communities, Fort Collins has some infrastructure
challenges to best support these endeavors.
Downtown Parks Shop: $11.2M
The Parks Department has been built on a district model for maintenance activities. The current downtown site
is located in a refurbished commercial warehouse which is near the end of its useful life and will be displaced as
part of the Civic Center Master Plan. A new facility in the downtown area will house not only the local support
staff but also the crews which support the horticultural areas around our facilities and throughout the public
areas and trail systems. Two districts will work out of this facility providing efficient operations in a timely
manner to the public.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. What questions does Council Finance Committee have on the initial projects listed?
2. What additional considerations does Council Finance Committee want included in the process?
DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS
Back to full Council on the 27th –
In December we would like to come back with recommended package
Engage the public – August 2025 deadline for ballot in November
Mayor Arndt; for the estimated $110M, what period of time does that cover? That is hard to estimate given that
prices keep going up.
Travis Storin; our approach is to use today’s dollars. It is not layering inflation on the funding or the costs.
Kelly Ohlson; this is one of my top 5 priorities. We need more time.
I am not sure that using today’s dollars is still the best method – construction costs went up way more than
inflation.
I would like to avoid $14M for a Community Center - better finesse there
I don’t want to be flexible with the language – if we decide that the train is a bad idea – If that costs 10x more
That is some of the high value stuff -
Why do we give such credence to one person’s idea? I remember when a certain group of people got the attention
and everyone else was left in the dust. Why did one person’s idea get the attention that it did?
Ginny Sawyer; it wasn’t solicited. They came to us, and this is their area of expertise. They said this kind of fits in
with some of your plans. Always open to ideas
Kelly Ohlson; I am open to more on affordable housing.
I want to be ready to do the Mulberry Pool, but I thought we were using dollars from the new tax for that.
Travis Storin; during the referral process that ultimately led up to Council referral.
The intent is that it would be for the indoor aquatic facility Southeast Community Center. The door is open, if
Council wishes to do that for the Mulberry Pool. There is built in flexibility for either / or a ballot measure. I will
continue to hold until we see the September materials.
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Kelly Ohlson; at some point within the next year, we need to make a decision on whether Mulberry is on this or
not.
Tyler Marr; fully funding both the indoor components of the Southeast Community Center and Mulberry Pool
would probably present some pretty substantial opportunity costs out of the 2050 tax compared to some of the
maintenance goals the Council was trying to set. I don’t think we have looked at it being all one or the other. If
we were going to take the whole cap to build two pools from now until 2050.
Emily Francis; I have the same kind of question about Mulberry Pool and Lee Martinez Park. They are both what
I would consider refresh or maintenance which should be part of the tax we just passed. It seems to me that the
added components at the Southeast Community Center lap lanes should be under this CCIP. The lap lanes as
the original was just the outdoor pool. If the community wants lap lanes, they should be under CCIP, but the
refresh should fall under the tax we just passed.
Travis Storin; I believe those decisions will rest with the Council. The IGA with the school district (land swap) was
contingent on passage of 2050 but not necessarily funding from 2025. That was the dependency that was built
in.
Kelly Ohlson; I saw in the paper that you were talking about the Pickleball complex. Spring Creek Park was
designed to be a new kind of park and because of sensitivity around veterans’ issues, that was allowed to be an
addition later. It was extremely controversial but ended up being extremely loved. Located next to Natural
Areas, it wasn’t a park that was going to be filled with other things. That was promised. You may want to find a
different place for the Pickleball complex.
The Downtown River projects – I would like everyone to take a look at the Natural Areas map for the city of Fort
Collins. You will see tiny green spots. I would prefer that those areas are focused on habitat and restoration.
That is my drop dead one. If habitat restoration is done well and folks have better access to the river – I am all
for it. If it’s Disneyland on the Poudre – count me out because we have just little slivers of wildlife habitat.
Ginny Sawyer; there are a lot of different opportunities which is they the dollar amounts are so different. There
are divergent structures which we know you want taken out. There is an opportunity at Lee Martinez Park that
includes Parks, Utilities and Natural Areas. Restoring some of that area and would benefit all three entities.
Kelly Ohlson; Can you include in the next document – maybe two pages and include the history from 1997 which
included Fossil Creek Park and Gardens on Spring Creek
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I also like the circle chart (see slide #8 below). Not necessarily the outcomes but the concept of showing that.
It says - Natural Areas but should say Nature in the City. important for ballot
Of all of the things you cut- Nature in the City was cut in half while -very few other things were cut in half. What
am I missing?
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Ginny Sawyer; I called them to ask why they are asking for less money. Their answer was that they are working
toward going deeper as opposed to wider. It was a conscious decision on their part based on their direction and
what they are trying to achieve.
Kelly Ohlson; I would like to have more context. For that amount of money, the goodwill that builds throughout
the city with neighborhood projects, etc. is very significant. Working with schools, neighborhoods and HOAs is a
win for the entire organization.
Emily Francis; what do we count as capital improvement? It seems like a catch all.
Ginny Sawyer; it is a catch all for what we want funded – previously it was called Building on Basics, Community
Choices and Designing Tomorrow Today. We worked on a new name, and we ended up with Community Capital
Improvement Program. Looking for something that we can point to – we said we would build this or do this and
here is what we created.
Emily Francis; maybe we can do some thinking around changing the name.
The conversation with the Museum of Discovery artifacts (see below) – if the non-profit side talking about sharing
that expense with us?
Artifacts are city owned so we looked at it as a city expense.
Museum of Discovery Artifact Storage and Care: $2.9M
This project creates clean, safe, climate controlled, publicly accessibility, housing for historic
Museum artifacts. New storage will replace the current off-site storage located in the historic
Trolley/Car Barn building. Relocating the Museum's storage will allow for public use for the
historic Car Barn building.
Kelly DiMartino; that was based on the agreement between the city and the nonprofit in terms of what the city
and the non-profit will contribute. It would probably be good to have an update on this. The nonprofit
contributions have outpaced the city contributions. It is raising questions on the non-profit side as well on the
path going forward.
Kelly Ohlson; I suggested the partnership be put on the ballot but there was no money.
To be fair, the city paid significantly more in the beginning, which included the land, buildings, etc.
Pursuant to a discussion about things being out of sync, people said it would be an equal partnership. I was
there from day 1 and you look the other way on things. We did more than our share in the beginning.
Kelly DiMartino; from the agreement perspective, the city’s role around capital and facilities and the nonprofit
around operations. It would be a good thing to get us all regrounded. Partners want to look at how it looks
moving forward.
Travis Storin; around the artifacts in the trolley barn. Within this process, this is a good time to identify
strategies around fund raising outside of the tax. Whether that is philanthropic fund raising or P3 or working
with other governmental agencies. It is helpful to receive some direction and guidance around which you think
are good candidates for that, in both directions (staff and Council). Because what is a bad look is when we get
late in the process and say we want to haircut this – can you go raise this amount of money? It becomes filling a
hole rather than something that is co-created.
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Nina Bodenhamer; when we go back to the IGA with the Museum of Discovery, it also included the land for the
facility. That is the ideal way to structure a philanthropic partnership. 5 years later, it is time to revamp who is
contributing what. When we look at this menu that staff is suggesting you will bill, there are opportunities for
philanthropic contributions and how do we do that not as a budget strategy but as a community investment
strategy. When we are talking about ballot language, we will also want to be very careful about the language
around what the philanthropic role is and what the partnership role is and what is our strategy if it is not met.
Emily Francis; I think that is fair and this would be a good one for that partnership.
Ginny Sawyer; the artifacts are also prime for grants.
Nina Bodenhamer; the artifacts are owned and insured by the city. PFA has artifacts that could be added to that.
Thinking about what that looks like as a partnership for community curation.
Emily Francis; I do like the affordable housing strategy. The Lee Martinez and Mulberry Pool, some of the
Transfort bus stop enhancements are a blurry line between the tax we just passed and then asking again. I know
there is discussion around the ballot language intent and what it says but voters read maintain and enhance and
it feels like these 4 items …the voters feel like they just gave you money to do this. It feels like a very blurry
area.
Tyler Marr; staff is coming at this as trying to preserve maximum flexibility in some of these areas. Lee Martinez
may be a perfect example, what we are talking about is an expansion of the usable space in one form or
another. When we talk about refresh – it is right on that cusp.
Emily Francis; I am concerned about the appetite to pass more taxes.
Ginny Sawyer; always say renewal - this is not a tax increase.
Emily Francis; a question – I know the URA is working on the Albertsons location. They have been talking about
a community hub going in somewhere to provide support services. I wondered if that had been considered.
Ginny Sawyer; we have had discussions on that. I think it is a readiness conversation. In the next six months,
depending on what happens, it may come back onto the mix.
Emily Francis; is that because it is based on the assumption that it would only work at Albertsons or?
Ginny Sawyer; I had a conversation with Josh around not wanting to predetermine anything with some of the
things with these other projects - if it is an actual feasibility study that needs to happen then that might not be
appropriate. We can keep it in the mix though.
Emily Francis; I would like to keep it in the mix. It is in the URA plan. I feel that the Community Hub, especially
with our equity office, try to meet some of these things that we have been talking about for a very long time.
Mayor Arndt; Regarding the Arterial Intersection Improvements (see below). This also seems to be borderline
between is that a capital improvement or is that something that is in our plans that is a priority for Council the
streets tax, right? How do you decide?
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Vision Zero Plan – Arterial Intersection Improvements: $10M
This project provides an annual fund for improvements to arterial intersections with safety
improvements for all travel modes. This funding has allowed City staff to provide needed design,
local match for grants, and construction funding, for previous major arterial intersection
improvements. From the 10-year Transportation Capital Improvement Program (TCIP), notable
planned projects include:
- Shields and Prospect Intersection Improvements
- Shields and Horsetooth Intersection Improvements
- Drake and Lemay Intersection Improvements
- College and Drake Intersection Improvements
Travis Storin; The Streets Maintenance Program (SMP) is around maintenance of existing signals, pavement
quality and bridges. The arterial intersections, some of the expansions that you see, additions of medians and
safety features.
Mayor Arndt; The Mulberry Pool would be a perfect one for partner maybe with CSU.
Kelly DiMartino; we have a study underway, but I haven’t seen the results.
Tyler Marr; I don’t think it is finished. There is active work with CSU as they should think about replacing the Moby
pool, which is older.
Mayor Arndt; Transfort Bus Replacement $5M (see below). When we replace buses do we buy another style?
We keep buying these enormous buses that are not very full. When other cities buy smaller buses which run
fuller and are more nimble, might not need a CDL.
Transfort Bus Replacement: $5M
Transfort leveraged $1M as local match to receive an additional $10.5M in other funding
sources, mainly federal, to purchase 14 buses. In the next 10 years, 30 buses reach the end of
their useful life including eight (8) 60FT articulated MAX buses. Replacing buses at the end of
their useful life is pivotal to maintaining the fleet in a state of good repair, minimizing
mechanical breakdowns and maximizing on time route performance, while also leading to lower
lifetime maintenance costs.
Tyler Marr; when you hear us talking about optimizing the Transit Master Plan – those are exactly the kind of
questions that are being asked in that work. Where do fixed routes make sense? In some cases, the standard
buses will still be what we are after. In a number of these other areas, it is micro transit, a smaller way to
achieve the same goals
Emily Francis; Taft & Elizabeth- why do we focus this on downtown, when we are talking about 15-minute
communities, streetscapes and walkability. Why do we focus it just on downtown?
Travis Storin; Jefferson to start, I think you are observing the sequential adherence to a Transportation Master
Plan. The combination of the Vine/Lemay overpass, the Linden work we have done, and the River District
improvements are all part of a way to give the trucks a route around downtown rather than through it.
That is not to suggest that it is somehow better than streetscapes in other parts of town. That is where we
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would look to Council for guidance – we see your plan that was adopted x years ago and here are this Council’s
priorities.
Tyler Marr; when you look at the Jefferson and Willow block, it is one of the last remaining pieces of that right
sizing. To put it candidly, DDA has often times brought magic funding to some of these projects through their
increment. The first half of Willow (from College to Linden), the DDA funded a significant portion of that project.
Emily Francis; it is important to think about 15-minute cities and building that out. We focus so much on
downtown, rightfully so but if we are trying to build out community hubs. We need to start looking at how we
make those improvements in other parts of the city.
Kelly Ohlson; blurred lines between the two taxes. I think we can get close to not ordering those too much – you
may run into some blowback from Council on things – we don’t control what else is on the ballot – there could
be 3 other things on the ballot that we don’t control, so we want to make this attractive and not redundant.
Kelly Ohlson; Regarding the $26.8M for Mulberry Pool (see below) - is that our share or would the city be
splitting that?
Mulberry Pool Replacement and Expansion: $26.8M
Mulberry Pool is the only pool in Fort Collins that provides a small year-round leisure pool that
serves families. Mulberry also provides lap lanes for both the community, Poudre School District
swim teams and club teams along with swim lessons for swimmers of all abilities.
A new modern facility would better serve the growing needs of Fort Collins. The facility could
include a full warm water leisure pool with zero entry, slide(s) and other play features. The
facility will also include at least 6 lap lanes to maintain the current level of service for the Fort
Collins swim community.
Joe Wimmer: that is our share - $51M would be the total. We will make sure that is clear,
Kelly Ohlson; is there room available at the museum artifact storage site or does it require another building?
Ginny Sawyer; this is why we want to have a more holistic conversation. The city owns that entire half block from
the Trolley Barn to Eco-Thrift which is part of the Civic Center Master Plan. We do need to have conversations
around if it is part of the Trolley Barn, how does that work? How do we repurpose the Trolley Barn to be accessible
and nice storage? If it is not the right place, can it be on that property or is there a nearby property where that
could occur. The current section storing artifacts is 5400 square feet and it is packed.
Kelly Ohlson; the Trolley Barn is not the right building for museum storage.
Wouldn’t this be the time to ask for more solid waste diversion capital?
Construction Waste Diversion Equipment Replacement: $2.2M
Five pieces of heavy machinery are included in this offer. The Crushing and Recycling Facility is a
significant contributor to waste diversion and provides recycled materials to the public. In 2023,
this facility processed approximately 138,000 tons of concrete and asphalt for reuse and
diverting this material from the landfill.
Ginny Sawyer; it has come up and similar to community hub – we aren’t sure where this is going yet, so let’s keep
this in the mix.
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Tyler Marr; as we are working through these grants that look specifically at construction demolition and the
organics, that will give us a better sense for what those options are and if this might be a logical place to ask.
Kelly Ohlson; is this going to be more refined when it comes to the work session?
Ginny Sawyer; we will get the materials out earlier for your review.
Kelly Ohlson; the timetable isn’t long enough. Voting is mid-October and that is not enough time for people to
organize for or against. Historically we did it later, so that staff could interact, but actually they can anyway as
long as they don’t advocate for it. Staff can answer questions and give presentations, they just can’t promote.
It used to be backed up close to the election so staff could be out in a semi advocacy role, educating the public –
cutoff date earlier so folks know what is on the ballot.
Ginny Sawyer; The August date is the latest possible date that it can be referred to the ballot.
Mayor Arndt;
Bike Parks; could we be more creative? Many other cities do different things.
Dog Parks; some cities have small dog pocket parks in neighborhoods which are gathering places. Some have
lease free times. Maybe a few dog parks could offer lease free times. Central Park does it in New York City. There
are huge fines if you pass the time for lease free. I feel like we could be more creative than a chain link fence
around gravel. Looking around at what other cities do - an example is Cherry Creek Park in Denver
Dog Parks: $2.5M
Funding would implement two new dog parks and bring existing dog parks up to the
same standard.
Bike Park: $5M
Implement first phase of a bike park based on feedback gathered in a future bike park
feasibility study.
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B. General Fund Admin Charge to Other Funds
Lawrence Pollack, Budget Director
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Overview of the General Fund Administrative Charge to Other Funds
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The General Fund Administrative Charge is intended for partial cost recovery for Citywide support services. This
includes the services provided by the City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Office, Human Resources and
Finance, as well as a few others. These various shared services are necessary for day-to-day running of the City
organization and to support the breadth of programs and services City departments provide externally to the
community. The goal of the model is to have a methodology that is fair to all contributing funds.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
What questions does the Council Finance Committee have about the General Fund Administrative Charge Model
and how it is deployed within the City’s budgeting process?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
There are a wide variety of services necessary to run the City organization and support the wide breadth of
programs and service to the community provided by City departments and their staff. These shared
administrative services are generally centralized so that each department need not replicate those activities
with their own staff. Centralization also allows for standardization, efficiency and economies of scale that would
not occur if each of those activities was decentralized.
The many services provided by Human Resources are an example. The employee life cycle begins with
recruitment and continues through the phases of hiring, onboarding, training and development, etc. All of these
services require talented staff to ensure process standardization and consistency across the organization. It is
much more cost effective to have those staff working together as a team to help facilitate the employee
experience, rather than if each department had to hire their own resources to complete those functions. Lastly,
many of these services have state and federal compliance requirements, requiring specialized knowledge of
those. These types of services are typically housed within the General Fund because they are not owned by any
individual department.
Similar to a PILOT, a payment in lieu of tax, the intent of the General Fund Administrative Charge is to provide a
methodology for the departments focused on external service delivery to the community to pay for the use of
those shared administrative services. The value proposition is that it is overall less expensive to utilize
administrative staff rather than incremental departmental hiring or paying a third party.
The use of the General Fund Administration Charge model has been in place for well over 20 years. It is used
during the budget process for departments to include their ratio of the charges within their ongoing budget
requests. The General Fund departments included in the model are as follows:
- City Attorney’s Office
- City Manager’s Office
- City Clerk’s Office
- City Council
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- City Hall Facility Charges
- Emergency Preparedness and Security
- Finance
- Human Resources
Step #1: The model for the 2025-26 Budget starts with the originally adopted operating budgets from 2024 for
each City fund. A number of modifications are then made so as to not double count expenses. For example,
transfers between funds are backed out as those don’t reflect budgeted activity that would utilize administrative
services. Other budgeted expenses, like PILOTs and Purchased Power, are also backed out for similar reasons.
This then determines the modified budget for each fund, applicable for use in the model. From there, each
fund’s % of the total City modified budget is calculated. This % is what the total cost of the shared services in
the General Fund will be multiplied by to determine the ratioed share of those expenses, by fund.
Step #2: The budgets for each of the 8 departments listed above are then entered into the model with
additional adjustments to again avoid any double counting, like in Step #1. Here is an example, City Charter
requires certain funds to pay a specified portion of the City Manager’s compensation. In this case, the Light &
Power fund pays 40% and the Water fund pays 20%. Those amounts are backed out of the model so as to not
double count them.
A similar thing happens within the City Attorney’s Office based on agreements with departments like Natural
Areas. In that case, the 0.50 FTE of dedicated attorneys to supporting the Natural Areas is backed out so those
costs are also not double counted.
Step #3: The ratioed modified costs of those 8 departments are then summed up by fund for the total GF Admin
Charge to be budgeted in Year 1 of the biennial budget. Year 2 is calculated by taking the Year 1 cost for each
fund and increasing it by the inflationary assumption included in the budget; which is 2.5% for 2026.
Step #4: The City Funds are split into what is referred to as ‘charged funds’ and ‘non-charged funds’ where the
only difference is the ‘non-charged funds’ are not charged the amount calculated in the model. The reason for
this is the ‘non-charged funds’ all receive a subsidy from the General Fund to cover a portion of that fund’s
budgeted expenses. If there was an additional General Fund Admin Charge given to those funds, the only way
they would be able to pay for it would be to then increase the subsidy from the General Fund. Such transactions
would not add any value, so those funds are not charged.
Step #5: These amounts for the ‘charged funds’ are then discussed with the various fund managers to go
through the calculations and answer their questions so we can align on the amount specified in the model,
which is to be included in that department’s Ongoing Offers.
For the 2025-26 Budget, there was a conversation about the applicability of debt service (principal and interest
payments) in the model. It was determined that, similar to PILOTS, debt service obligations don’t have ongoing
operational impacts and so those costs have been backed out of the modified budgets. The result of this change
benefited funds with greater debt than funds without much debt.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
What questions does the Council Finance Committee have about the General Fund Administrative Charge Model
and how it is deployed within the City’s budgeting process?
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DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS
CSA = Customer Service & Admin
Mayor Arndt; do you give them a budget?
Lawrence Pollack; the calculated amount is based off of their budget - the last two columns (purple) on
slide 7 (see below) are the totals that would be included in on-going offers in the departments associated
with those funds.
Kelly DiMartino; think about us charging them a percentage of the big picture allocations – it is how we
allocate across the organization.
Mayor Arndt: one fund hit legal really hard one year -
Lawrence Pollack; we say that comes out in the wash over time
Mayor Arndt; I was wondering if it changes behavior over the year
Travis Storin; it is usually not a time and effort kind of thing – most of these expenses with personnel
being the largest line item – your headcount is usually what is driving consumption of HR resources -
- it is a dollar magnitude
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Lawrence Pollack; one of the things we test with each department who is receiving this administrative
charge is conceptually the cost of these would be less than if they have hired their own staff or paid for
third party expertise. The other side benefit is consistency especially in HR and Legal. Consistency on
our hiring practices as opposed to everyone having their own mini-HR department. This is another
conceptual reason for a shared services model.
Kelly DiMartino; I would say the bigger challenge that we experience is people wanting a greater
amount of access to their central shared services. There is never enough capacity to meet all of our
needs.
Kelly Ohlson; not what I asked for - Step #4 (see below) I wanted to get this fixed as I think it has been
wrong for 30 years – Natural Areas Fund - $460K. Parkland Fund and the Conservation Trust Fund and
Capital Projects Fund are all zero. All enterprise funds but Natural Areas is not an enterprise fund. It is
the only place of any significance in the city that gets charged for these services and is not an
Enterprise Fund. People go to the ballot and bring that in, and the city penalized them.
Step #4: The City Funds are split into what is referred to as ‘charged funds’ and ‘non-charged
funds’ where the only difference is the ‘non-charged funds’ are not charged the amount
calculated in the model. The reason for this is the ‘non-charged funds’ all receive a subsidy from
the General Fund to cover a portion of that fund’s budgeted expenses. If there was an
additional General Fund Admin Charge given to those funds, the only way they would be able to
pay for it would be to then increase the subsidy from the General Fund. Such transactions
would not add any value, so those funds are not charged.
Lawrence Pollack; slide 7 (see above) Natural Areas is the only governmental fund that does not receive a
General Fund subsidy. The cost to Natural Areas to provide these services to them is $460K for 2025.
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Kelly Ohlson; use Parks - it is just built into their budget
Lawrence Pollack; that is because Parks is in the General Fund so there is no money moving.
Kelly Ohlson; I don’t think that is fair – citizens bring the money to the table and the city runs the show. I don’t
get it.
Lawrence Pollack; it is very common across other cities
Emily Francis; it is funded differently. They are paying it but then we reimburse it from the General Fund. If the
tax went away and we wanted to fund Natural Areas it would move down.
Mayor Arndt; because it is ballot initiated
Kelly Ohlson; I just don’t get it – Natural Areas is being punished – some of these things aren’t bringing in the
money
Mayor Arndt; but if the voters are voting on the tax – it should be self-sustaining – it goes back to the General
Fund. Voters are saying, we want to pay this much money and it goes to Natural Areas. Then Natural Areas
wants to hire someone – they are going to hire city of Fort Collins HR because it is cheaper, and it is better for us
to do it that way. So, they have to pay for it since it wasn’t in the General Fund. That is a substantial difference –
then you are double funding it through the General Fund and the tax the voters approved. It goes back to the
voters.
Kelly Ohlson; How do we determine that $472K is the correct amount? Is the formula the same for everyone?
Lawrence Pollack; every fund is treated the same - the only exception is that you are not charged if you received
a General Fund contribution. It is meant to be a consistent methodology and we go through extensive rigor to
ensure we are not double counting.
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C. Intergovernmental Agreement with Poudre Fire Authority
Dave Lenz, Director, Financial Planning & Analysis
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Update to the Amended and Restated Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Fort Collins and the
Poudre Valley Fire Protection District (dated July 15, 2014) that established the Poudre Fire Authority.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Fort Collins (“City”) and the Poudre Valley Fire Protection District (“District”) established the Poudre
Fire Authority (“PFA”) with an Intergovernmental Agreement (“IGA”) in 1981. This agreement was further
adjusted in 1983 and 1987 to include a revenue allocation formula (“RAF”). This agreement was further
amended and restated in 2014 to include an update to the RAF and Support Services provided to PFA by the
City. The full 2014 amended and restated IGA including the RAF (Exhibit A) and Support Services provided
(Exhibit B) is included as Attachment 1.
During 2024, City and PFA staff continued discussions to update the IGA, completing an analysis of the support
services (and associated costs) provided by each party and beginning the evaluation of the RAF. These
preliminary findings have previously been shared with the Council Finance Committee in March, City
Council/District Board in a joint Work Session in April, and ongoing PFA and District Board meetings. This update
focuses on the proposed adjustments to the RAF, including the changes to administrative oversight of the joint
agreement, as well as a recap of the shared services analysis and updated timeline to finalize adoption of the
amended agreement.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
What questions does the committee have related to the update of the Intergovernmental Agreement, the
proposed Revenue Allocation Formula Adjustments or the Support Services and costs provided?
Does the committee support the proposed changes to the Intergovernmental Agreement and supporting
Exhibits A and B?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Support Services Provided:
During the second half of 2023, City and PFA staff reviewed the Support Services provided in the existing Exhibit
B. This effort involved over 30 collaborative meetings with both City and PFA personnel. The interviews and
analysis involved investigation on the scope of services being provided by City personnel, including support
areas that were not specifically outlined in Exhibit B as services to be provided. Additionally, certain services
had transitioned to PFA over the ensuing time since the agreement update in 2014. In all instances, efforts were
made to identify the time and costs involved in each City department or PFA program providing the support.
During 2024, City and PFA staff jointly reviewed all findings of the 2023 costing of the services provided which
indicated the City provides PFA with approximately $728,000 annually of in-kind costs and an additional $3.5
million in direct charges ($3.0 million is for Benefits and Wellness). PFA’s cost of services provided is estimated
at approximately $292,000 annually ($248,400 is for two added positions – 50% for an IT Analyst III role and 85%
of the Battalion Chief - Emergency Management role).
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The net amount of the in-kind costs results in a total of approximately $436,000 provided by the City to PFA.
This amount captures the new estimated baseline of service provided that will be incorporated into the updated
IGA and RAF discussed in the sections below. It is intended that these services will be regularly reviewed by City
and PFA staff for any material annual additions or subtractions to provided services. Additionally, the new
agreement will incorporate an annual inflation adjustment to this net calculated amount based upon an agreed
CPI Index.
Revenue Allocation Formula - Current:
The RAF specifies how both the City and the District make contributions to the PFA. The District’s contribution is
annually through the adopted mill levy (minimum of 10.595 mills) and the City’s contribution is through a
combination of a portion of the City’s base sales and use tax revenue (undedicated for specific other projects or
legally restricted or committed for other uses) and 67.5% of the operating mill levy of the City’s property tax
revenue. The City’s contributions are based on the biennial budgeted amounts for sales/use and property taxes.
These amounts are not adjusted for actual collections (please refer to Exhibit A of the IGA for the RAF calculation
details).
In the 2023 Budget, the City’s contributed approximately $35.9 million in revenue sharing to PFA ($19.2 million
in property tax and $16.9 million in sales/use tax, less $0.2 million for PFA contribution agreements). For the
2024 budget, the revenue contribution increases to approximately $38.7 million ($21.7 million in property tax
and $17.3 million in sales/use tax, less $0.3 million in PFA contribution adjustments). The District contributed
$8.8 million in 2023 and $12.4 million in 2024.
The City’s 2024 contribution amounts are detailed below:
Service Area Annual In-Kind Costs Annual Charged
Total Cost of
Services
Provided
Total $727,626 $3,456,986 $4,184,611
Cost of City Services provided to PFA
Service Annual In-Kind Costs
Total $291,738
Cost of Services provided - Absorbed by PFA
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The total sales and use tax amount subject to the RAF calculations above is $128,243,683 ($101,245,013 of
Existing Base plus $26,998,670 of New Base), with the total sales and use tax contribution amount totaling
$17,261,150.
Revenue Allocation Formula - Proposed:
City and PFA staff have been evaluating the current RAF over the past few months. Goals of this evaluation have
been to:
• Simplify the sales and use tax calculations to incorporate the Keep Fort Collins Great (KFCG) 0.6% base
rate increase
• Adjust the calculations to incorporate the new baseline of cost of services provided.
• Adjust the amount in the use tax calculation to include currently “excluded” one-time amounts.
• Change contributions to PFA to be based on actual results versus the current budgeted amounts. This
will also incorporate a “risk corridor” band to share a portion of revenue upside and limit the revenue
downside related to actual results vs. budgeted estimates.
• Provide an annual true-up for the risk corridor above.
• Add further definition around adjustments for future growth and annexations.
• Move to an annual budget amount for sales, use, and property taxes aligned with the annual
appropriated budget for these amounts.
Calculation Adjustments
Actual
2024 Contribution
(As of 4/22/22)
Existing Base Sales Tax 92,770,987$
Existing Base Use Tax 8,474,026$
Total Existing Base Sales & Use Tax 101,245,013$
First 1% of Existing Base Sales & Use Tax 44,997,784$
Existing Base Sales & Use Tax RAF - 29%29.0%
Existing Base Sales & Use Tax Contribution 13,049,357$
Property Tax 32,174,388$
Property Tax RAF - 67.5%67.5%
Property Tax Contribution 21,717,712$
New Base Sales Tax 24,738,930$
New Base Use Tax 2,259,740$
Total New Base Sales & Use Tax 26,998,670$
New Base Sales & Use Tax RAF - 15.6%15.6%
New Base Sales & Use Tax Contribution 4,211,793$
Total City Contribution 38,978,862$
Emergency Dispatch ($231,849)
Homelessness Support ($20,000)
Net City Contribution 38,727,013$
Adjustments for PFA Funded Position Support
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The first adjustment step is to simplify the sales and use tax calculated contribution amount. If we take the 2024
tax amounts and contribution amounts from the current RAF calculation shown above, we are able to determine
a single new calculation percentage as shown below (B divided by A equals C):
The next step in our adjustment is to account for the new baseline cost of services provided under Exhibit B. To
accomplish this, we take the calculation from the above section and add the net cost of services provided to get
the new contribution amount (A plus B equals C).
The final step of the RAF calculation adjustment is to include the full available use tax amounts (currently
“excluded” one-time amounts) in the use tax base (D) to calculate the total sales and use tax base (E). To
calculate the new updated percentage amount, we the use previously calculated contribution by the total base
sales and use tax (F divided by E equals G). For simplification and some slight rounding difference, we will use a
blended rate of the 2025 and 2026 years (H) as the calculation rate to determine the final Sales and Use Tax
Contribution (I).
2024
Combined Sales and Use Tax
Total Sales Tax Base 117,509,917$
Total Use Tax Base 10,733,766$
Total Sales and Use Tax Base 128,243,683$ (A)
Total Sales and Use Tax Contribution 17,261,150$ (B)
Calculated Contribution Rate 13.460%(C)
2024 2025 2026
Total Tax Contribution 17,261,150$ 18,383,050$ 18,891,202$ (A)
Additional Contribution to Cover Cost Allocation -$ (B)
Total Contribution after Cost Allocation 17,261,150$ 18,818,938$ 19,327,089$ (C)
2024 2025 2026
Combined Sales and Use Tax - New Calculated %
Total Sales Tax Base 117,509,917$ 125,845,203$ 129,620,574$
Total Use Tax Base 10,733,766$ (D)
Total Sales and Use Tax Base 128,243,683$ 142,224,514$ 145,999,885$ (E)
Total Sales and Use Tax Contribution 17,261,150$ 18,818,938$ 19,327,089$ (F)
Calculated Contribution Rate 13.460% 13.232% 13.238%(G)
Average of 2025 and 2026 N/A 13.235% 13.235%(H)
Total Sales and Use Tax Contribution with Avg Rate 18,823,414$ 19,323,085$ (I)
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The Property Tax RAF calculation amount remains unchanged at 67.5% of the eligible City Property tax mill levy
amount. Additionally, the amount of net shared services costs will be deducted from (or added to) the
contribution amount to PFA from the City. This will allow for expansion or contraction of the net contribution
amount based on material additions to (or reduction in) services provided by either the City or PFA under Exhibit
B.
(Note that the adjustments previously made to the PFA contribution amount for Dispatch and Homelessness
position support are excluded above and will be handled as an annual charged service.)
Actuals versus Budgeted Contribution Amounts and Risk Sharing
Currently, the contribution amounts that are provided by the City to PFA are set every two years based on City’s
biennial budgeting process. There is no adjustment in the contribution to PFA for the amounts that actually are
collected for sales, use, and property tax. The proposed adjustment will be to contribute actual tax receipts to
PFA on a monthly basis, with a true-up at year-end based upon the agreed upon cap and floor bands.
The City’s budgeting process has a conservative bias, as it should, based on the need to “protect for the
downside”. If we look at the average variance of budget vs. actual for the three tax categories since 2003, we
see the following variation patterns:
To allow for sharing upside potential revenue with PFA and to share some downside risk of potential revenue
shortfall (without putting at risk the need to provide PFA’s core fire and emergency services), this proposed RAF
adjustment puts in place a cap and floor on the percentage variation from budget that PFA receives from the
City. The following are the proposed risk sharing bands for each tax.
2024 2025 2026
Total - Proposed RAF
Sales Tax Contribution 15,816,423$ 16,655,613$ 17,155,283$
Use Tax Contribution 1,444,727$ 2,167,802$ 2,167,802$
Property Tax Contribution 21,717,712$ 22,571,998$ 23,023,438$
Total Contribution 38,978,862$ 41,395,412$ 42,346,523$
Less: Net Shared Services Costs -$ (435,888)$ (435,888)$
Net Contribution 38,978,862$ 40,959,525$ 41,910,635$
Total - Current RAF
Sales Tax Contribution 15,816,423$ 16,938,323$ 17,446,474$
Use Tax Contribution 1,444,727$ 1,444,727$ 1,444,727$
Property Tax Contribution 21,717,712$ 22,571,998$ 23,023,438$
Total Contribution 38,978,862$ 40,955,048$ 41,914,640$
Actual vs. Budget
Annual Average
Variance (%)
Number of
years
Average
Variance
Number of
years
Average
Variance
Sales Tax 2.4%11 5.4% 10 -2.0%
Use Tax 14.1%16 18.5%5 -5.4%
Property Tax 0.4%11 2.3% 10 -1.7%
Actual Exceeds Budget Budget Exceeds Actual
2003 - 2023
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If any of the individual actual tax amounts collected are within the band range, no adjustment is necessary. If a
tax amount is above or below the annual cap or floor, an adjustment will be made at year end to adjust for the
excess (or shortage) to bring the annual contribution back to the band percentage amount.
Annexation and Growth Provisions
The current RAF allows for adjustments to the contribution amounts paid to PFA in the event the City annexes
property currently within District boundaries. These provisions will be maintained in the proposed RAF through
adjustments to the sales and use tax and/or property tax contribution percentages. Mechanics of this process
are still under evaluation.
Annual Setting of the Budgeted tax amounts
The proposed RAF changes include the budgeted sales, use, and property tax amounts to be set at time of
annual appropriation of the individual year budgets (as opposed to the biennial cadence currently in the RAF).
This will allow for a timelier update to these key budget assumptions, especially in the aftermath of severe
shocks to the economy (positive or negative). The two-year estimate will still be provided in the biennial budget
approval.
Other items still under consideration/finalization
• District, PFA and City ongoing legal reviews
• Movement of dispatch services to a charge for service as opposed to a deduction from the RAF
• Full detail of City and PFA roles and responsibilities including joint calendarization of timelines
NEXT STEPS/PATH FORWARD
The goal is to complete the update of the IGA for inclusion in the 2025/26 City BFO Cycle. City and PFA staff are
working jointly to reach agreement on terms and conditions to include in an update to bring to both the City
Council and District Board for approval. Tentative schedule for moving forward:
Work Streams:
July: Finalize Combined Agreement Terms and City/District/PFA Legal Evaluations
Communications/Actions:
July: Council Finance Committee - proposal
July: District Board - proposal
August: City Council Adoption consideration - 1st
August: District Board Adoption consideration
Sept: City Council Adoption consideration - 2nd
Upper Band
(% above
Budget)
Lower Band
(% below
Budget)
Sales Tax 3.0% -2.0%
Use Tax 6.0% -2.0%
Property Tax 2.0% -2.0%
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GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
What questions does the committee have related to the update of the Intergovernmental Agreement, the
proposed Revenue Allocation Formula Adjustments or the Support Services and costs provided?
Does the committee support the proposed changes to the Intergovernmental Agreement and supporting
Exhibits A and B?
DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS
A brief introduction was given to the Council Finance Committee in March.
Shared Services – slide #6 (see below)
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Kelly Ohlson; is the basic purpose of this to get as close to fairness as possible?
Dave Lenz; the goal is to get an updated understanding of what is going on now and what has changed over the
last 10 years and the fairness of this. There is one area where we still need to do more work and that is
dispatch’s share – in terms of how much the district funds and how much the city shares, and it also involves UC
Health and the City of Wellington. We can move closer and closer over time, and it can be done in the context
of the agreement. The sense of fairness – we want to formalize the agreement and be able to track and have an
agreement that can react
Kelly Ohlson; what isn’t Emergency Management a core assignment?
Dave Lenz; initially, we had been providing that service to them. They have taken on some additional
responsibilities over the last 10 years. They have funded a position to handle some of the things we have been
doing.
Travis Storin; in 2019, PFA ran all local emergency preparedness and management. In 2019, the city took that
over upon the retirement of a longstanding Battalion Chief who handled that function. This function is now
called Emergency Preparedness Services (EPS) and is within the city organization. PFA retained the fire
protection side of emergency management.
Chief Bergsten; Emergency Management did not cover any of the district side, so all of the wildland urban
interface outside the city of Fort Collins. That is a big risk area for us to address and that is why we are doing the
emergency management on our side is to address the entire district side. Some of the flooding / water issues we
have outside the city of Fort Collins.
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Kelly Ohlson; would this pass the test for fairness?
Mayor Arndt; this is great. We have to build systems for the future. The system is changing to be more resilient
in the future and to anticipate changes.
Chief Bergsten; it also allows us to be more nimble. The current agreement does not allow us to make any
changes or edits. Having the true up in year 2. If there were dramatic changes, they could be identified and
addressed in a true-up. We budget conservatively but if it is a good year, we would be able to share in the same
benefits on both sides.
Kelly Ohlson; I would like to request a meeting to understand for comparable suburban type cities that we are not
the richest funded fire authority. I would like to understand comparable geography /population – especially with
the property tax increase.
Mayor Arndt; I went down to Conifer which is a high fire district. They have five fire districts and chiefs, and the
administrative costs are crazy. I hope they get what they need, and their service is excellent. PFA was founded
in 1981. It was absolutely brilliant to come together and reduce redundancies and increase efficiency for the
public. Will you do the sit down with Council member Olson?
Kelly Ohlson; have there been discussions about becoming one entity a municipal department within the city?
Chief Bergsten; it was considered during these discussions and that is what we are building into - We are
currently at an 80/20 split – 80% of calls from the city and 20% from the district and that continues to shift more
toward the city side. It could be a city department and then you contract with the district.
Travis Storin; I would say an auxiliary goal with this update is to prepare for a landing.
There will be a future Council in District 4 that will be confronted with that very question.
As we get deeper into the East Mulberry annexation plan, that call volume that the Chief was mentioning will
start to become overwhelming. You look at a model, maybe a municipal department that contracted services
for the rural areas. This could happen in 10 or 25 years. This being the structural update to prepare for that
dialog.
Chief Bergsten; I am happy to meet with Councilmember Ohlson. The goal is to provide the best level of service
for the best price equally across the district and the city.
Meeting Adjourned at 5:53 PM
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COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Staff: Travis Storin, Chief Financial Officer
Date: September 5, 2024
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: Status of Fund Balances and Working Capital
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The attached presentation gives a status of fund balances and working capital. Fund balances are
primarily considered for funding one-time offers during the Budgeting for Outcomes process.
To a lesser extent, available monies are also used to fund supplemental appropriations between
BFO cycles.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
General update to Council Finance Committee
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
To aid in answering the question of what funding is available to support emerging issues and
initiatives in the next budget cycle. In each fund the balances are shown vertically by the
accounting classifications. The amounts are then additionally categorized into Appropriated,
Available with Constraints, and Available for Nearly Any Purpose.
Appropriated, Minimum Policy or Scheduled is comprised of minimum fund balances
established by policy, funds from the 2023 balance that have been appropriated in 2024, and
amounts for projects specifically identified by voters. An example of the latter is Community
Capital Improvements Plan.
Available with Constraints are those balances available for appropriation but within defined
constraints. An example are donations received through City Give. They are restricted for the
purpose of the donation, but still available for appropriation.
Available for Nearly Any Purpose are balances that are available for appropriation at the
discretion of the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. PowerPoint presentation
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Chief Financial Officer
Travis Storin
Status of Fund
Balances
09-05-2024
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2
Objectives
•Inform Committee on Types of Constraints
•Review fund balances as of 12/31/2023
•Summarize how Fund Balances are used in the
budget process
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3
Fund Balance Definitions
Least
Constrained
Non-spendable
•Non-liquid in form (e.g. inventory, long-term receivables, land)
•Legally or contractually required to be maintained intact (e.g. permanent endowments)
Restricted
•Externally / 3rd Party enforceable legal restrictions (e.g. TABOR emergency reserve, debt covenants, re-development agreements, IGA’s)
Committed
•Constraint formally imposed at the Council or Board Level through Ordinance (e.g. Capital Expansion fees, Neighborhood Parkland fees)
Assigned
•Intended to be used for specific purposes (e.g. Affordable Housing, Camera Radar, Encumbrances), not authoritative
Unassigned
•Available for any City purpose
Most
Constrained
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Use of Restricted Balances
Available but with some constraints
•Street Maintenance Program within Transportation fund are restricted but
available as defined in the ballot language
•Donations made within a fund are available, but for the donations purpose
Available for nearly any purpose
•Funds available at the discretion of the City Council for any municipal purpose
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85.5$ 76.7$ 62.4$ 5.1$ 9.2$
Capital Expansion Fund 27.7 31.2 - 31.2 -
Sales & Use Tax Fund 2.4 1.3 0.3 1.0 -
GID #1 Fund 0.6 0.7 0.1 0.6 -
Keep Fort Collins Great Fund 1.3 0.2 - 0.2 -
Community Capital Imprvmt Plan 23.0 31.6 12.3 19.3 -
Neighborhood Parkland Fund 5.2 5.4 2.4 3.0 -
Conservation Trust Fund 3.6 4.7 2.0 2.7 -
Natural Areas Fund 20.9 22.7 8.7 14.1 -
Cultural Services Fund 3.1 3.4 1.4 2.0 -
Recreation Fund 2.9 3.3 1.0 2.4 -
Cemeteries Fund 1.0 1.2 0.1 1.1 -
Perpetual Care Fund 2.1 2.2 - 2.2 -
Museum Fund 0.7 0.7 0.1 0.6 -
Transit (4.9) (1.8) 0.7 (2.5) -
Transportation Capital Expansion 18.0 22.8 2.1 20.7 -
Transportation 12.8 13.7 6.0 7.7 -
Parking Fund 2.7 3.7 0.3 3.4 -
Capital Projects Fund 7.9 (0.5) (5.0) 4.4 -
Golf Fund 5.3 3.1 0.9 2.2 -
Light & Power Fund (excl. Broadband)60.5 61.7 55.4 6.3 -
Water Fund 80.3 76.9 59.2 17.7 -
Wastewater Fund 46.7 46.5 33.0 13.5 -
Storm Drainage Fund 32.3 35.5 27.2 8.3 -
Equipment Fund 5.9 2.7 1.5 1.1 -
Self Insurance Fund 1.7 2.6 2.8 (0.2) -
Data & Communications Fund 1.8 2.1 1.5 - 0.6
Benefits Fund 15.0 18.2 10.6 7.6 -
Utility Customer Service Fund 2.4 17.5 13.2 4.3 -
TOTAL 468.5$ 489.9$ 300.2$ 179.9$ 9.8$
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Landbank inventory 2.5 2.5 2.5 -
Udall Endowment 0.1 0.1 0.1 -
Restricted
TABOR Emergency 7.8 9.0 9.0 -
Police Radio Network 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.3
Donations & Misc 0.9 0.1 0.1 -
Convention & Visitor Center 0.6 0.4 0.4
PEG distribution 0.2 0.2 0.2
BOB Park Maint 0.2 0.1 0.1
PRPA Economic Dev Prgm 0.1 - -
Committed
Culture & Recreation (Fort Fund)0.3 0.5 0.5
Tourism Maintenance/Mitigation 0.2 0.2 0.2
Affordable Housing Land Bank 0.2 0.2 0.2
Police Regional Training Facility 0.1 - -
Trash Contracting - - -
Rental Housing Program - (0.1) (0.1)
Disposable Bag Fees (0.2) - -
Assigned
Prior Year Purchase Orders 5.3 3.6 3.6 -
Muni Court Renovation 0.4 0.2 0.2 -
Manufacturing Use Tax Rebate 0.1 0.2 0.2 -
Digital Equity 0.5 0.8 - 0.8
Opioid Settlement 0.1 0.2 - 0.2
Camera Radar 1.4 1.1 0.1 1.0
Waste Innovation 0.2 0.2 - 0.2
Reappropriation 0.6 2.5 0.2 2.3
Budgeted use of reserves 5.5 7.7 7.7 -
Child Care Needs 0.3 0.3 - 0.3
Police Programming 0.6 1.0 - 1.0
Hughes Land Purchase 2.0 - -
ERP Replacement 2.5 2.2 - 2.2
County Coordinated Elections - 0.4 0.2 - 0.2
Unassigned 15.1 7.6 3.3 - 4.3
Year End Total 85.5$ 76.7$ 62.4$ 5.1$ 9.2$
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General Fund Balances
•$2.5M Land-bank program inventory, held at lower of cost or
market
•$9M is an emergency reserve required by TABOR, equal to
3% of qualified governmental revenue; City also has policy
setting an additional $35.1M aside
•Traditionally fund balances are assigned for camera radar
and photo red-light, public safety dispatch system, affordable
housing and waste innovation
•$13.8M is set aside for prior year purchase orders,
reappropriation, and budgeted use of reserves
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Community Capital Improvement Plan
Available for ballot projects 12.5 5.8 - 5.8 -
2026-2030 O&M per ballot - 1.4 1.4 - -
City Park Train 0.1 - - -
Club Tico Renovation - - - - -
Poudre River Proj (CCIP only) - - - - -
Gardens Visitor Center Expansion 0.1 0.1 0.1 - -
Nature in the City 0.4 0.6 0.6 - -
Affordable Housing Fund 0.6 1.0 1.0 - -
Arterial Intersection Imprvmnt 1.8 2.0 2.0 - -
Bicycle Infrastructure Imprvmt 0.8 0.6 0.6 - -
Bike/Ped Grade Separated Cross 1.5 2.6 2.1 0.5 -
Lincoln Avenue Bridge 0.3 - - - -
Pedestrian Sidewalk - ADA 0.1 0.5 0.5 - -
Transfort Bus Replacements - - - - -
Willow Street Improvements 0.1 - - - -
Linden Street Renovation - (0.3) (0.3) - -
Carnegie Bldg Renovation 2.2 (0.5) 1.7 (2.2) -
SE Community Center 2.4 17.6 2.4 15.2 -
Bus Stop Improvements 0.1 0.2 0.2 - -
Year End Total 23.0$ 31.6$ 12.3$ 19.3$ -$ Page 58 of 127
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Transportation
Street Maintenance - 1/4 Cent 4.9 2.6 0.7 1.9
Committed
Capital Projects 1.4 1.5 1.3 0.2
Assigned
Prior Year Purchase Orders 1.9 1.7 0.9 0.8 -
Harmony Road 4.6 4.2 2.7 1.5 -
Transportation Surplus - 3.7 0.4 3.3 -
Year End Total 12.8$ 13.7$ 6.0$ 7.7$ -$
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Natural Areas
Natural Areas 20.1 21.9 7.9 14.0 -
Donations 0.1 0.1 - 0.1
Assigned
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.7 0.7 0.7 - -
Year End Total 20.9$ 22.7$ 8.7$ 14.1$ -$
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Transit
Capital Project Transfers 0.6 0.9 - 0.9
Assigned
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.3 0.7 0.7 -
Transit Surplus(Deficit)(5.8) (3.4) (3.4) -
Year End Total (4.9)$ (1.8)$ 0.7$ (2.5)$ -$
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Cultural Services & Facilities
Opera Donation 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 -
Committed
Art in Public Places 0.7 0.8 0.2 0.6 -
Assigned
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.1 0.2 0.2 - -
Gardens on Spring Creek 0.2 0.9 0.2 0.7
Cultural Services Surplus 2.0 1.4 0.8 0.6
Year End Total 3.1$ 3.4$ 1.4$ 2.0$ -$
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Recreation
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.2 0.2 0.2 - -
Recreation Programs 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 -
Recreation Surplus 2.4 2.9 0.6 2.3 -
Year End Total 2.9$ 3.3$ 1.0$ 2.4$ -$
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Benefits
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.2 0.1 0.1 -
Budgeted Use of Reserves 1.8 2.4 2.4 - -
ERP replacement reserves - 1.8 1.8 -
Benefit Surplus 7.2 7.6 - 7.6
Year End Total 15.0$ 18.2$ 10.6$ 7.6$ -$
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Self Insurance
Prepaids 0.6 0.6 0.6 - -
Assigned -
Prior Year Purchase Orders - 0.1 0.1 -
Committed
Self Insurance surplus / (deficit)(0.3) (0.2) (0.2) -
Year End Total 1.7$ 2.6$ 2.8$ (0.2)$ -$
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Light & Power
Prior Year Purchase Orders 1.5 2.0 2.0 - -
Approved Capital Projects 20.7 40.1 40.1 - -
Budgeted Use of Reserves 4.7 2.8 2.8 - -
Available for Capital and Operations 24.3 6.5 0.2 6.3 -
Year End Total 60.5$ 61.7$ 55.4$ 6.3$ -$
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Water Fund
Prior Year Purchase Orders 2.2 0.5 0.5 - -
Approved Capital Projects 28.5 51.8 51.8 - -
Budgeted Use of Reserves 19.1 0.2 0.2 - -
Available for Capital and Operations 24.0 17.7 - 17.7 -
Year End Total 80.3$ 76.9$ 59.2$ 17.7$ -$
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Wastewater
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.7 0.5 0.5 - -
Approved Capital Projects 22.7 26.1 26.1 - -
Budgeted Use of Reserves 7.2 2.4 2.4 - -
Available for Capital and Operations 12.3 13.5 - 13.5 -
Year End Total 46.7$ 46.5$ 33.0$ 13.5$ -$
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Storm Drainage
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.7 0.9 0.9 - -
Approved Capital Projects 14.4 19.7 19.7 - -
Budgeted Use of Reserves 1.6 4.1 4.1 - -
Available for Capital and Operations 13.4 8.3 - 8.3 -
Year End Total 32.3$ 35.5$ 27.2$ 8.3$ -$
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Capital Expansion
General Government 17.5 19.8 - 19.8 -
Police 0.5 0.6 - 0.6 -
Fire 3.5 1.0 - 1.0 -
Community Parkland 6.2 9.8 - 9.8 -
Assigned -
Year End Total 27.7$ 31.2$ -$ 31.2$ -$
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Sales & Use Tax
Natural Areas 2.4 1.3 0.3 1.0 -
Year End Total 2.4$ 1.3$ 0.3$ 1.0$ -$
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GID #1
GID#1 0.6 0.7 0.1 0.6
Year End Total 0.6$ 0.7$ 0.1$ 0.6$ -$
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KFCG
Street Maintenance 0.1 0.1 - 0.1 -
Other Transportation 0.8 0.7 - 0.7 -
Police Services - - - - -
Fire & Emergency Services - (0.1) - (0.1) -
Parks & Recreation 0.1 - - - -
Other 0.3 (0.5) - (0.5) -
Year End Total 1.3$ 0.2$ -$ 0.2$ -$
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Neighborhood Parkland
Neighborhood Parks 5.2 5.4 2.4 3.0 -
Year End Total 5.2$ 5.4$ 2.4$ 3.0$ -$
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Conservation Trust
Parks, Rec & Open Space Capital Improvements 3.6 4.7 2.0 2.7
Year End Total 3.6$ 4.7$ 2.0$ 2.7$ -$
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Cemeteries
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.1 0.1 0.1 (0.0) -
Cemeteries Surplus 0.9 1.1 - 1.1
Year End Total 1.0$ 1.2$ 0.1$ 1.1$ -$
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Perpetual Care
Perpetual Care 2.1 2.2 - 2.2 -
Year End Total 2.1$ 2.2$ -$ 2.2$ -$
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Museum
Cultural Services Surplus 0.7 0.7 0.1 0.6 -
Year End Total 0.7$ 0.7$ 0.1$ 0.6$ -$
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Transportation Capital Expansion
- -
Transportation CEF Surplus 11.5 18.8 2.0 16.8
Capital Projects 6.4 3.9 - 3.9
Assigned
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.1 0.1 0.1 - -
Year End Total 18.0$ 22.8$ 2.1$ 20.7$ -$
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Parking
CC Parking Garage IGA 2.4 2.2 - 2.2 -
Assigned
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.2 -
DT Parking 0.1 1.0 - 1.0 -
Year End Total 2.7$ 3.7$ 0.3$ 3.4$ -$
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Capital Projects
Other Fund Supported Projects 0.1 (5.0) (5.0) - -
Donations and Grants 0.0 0.2 0.2 -
Committed
General Fund Supported Projects 7.8 4.2 4.2 -
Year End Total 7.9$ (0.5)$ (5.0)$ 4.4$ -$
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Golf
-
Net investment in capital -
- - - -
Committed
Art in Public Places - - - -
- - - -
Assigned
Prior Year Purchase Orders - 0.1 0.1 -
Available for Capital and Operations 4.9 2.5 0.4 2.1 -
Year End Total 5.3$ 3.1$ 0.9$ 2.2$ -$
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Equipment
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.5 0.1 0.1 - -
Approved Capital Projects 4.5 0.6 0.6 - -
Equipment surplus 0.3 1.1 - 1.1 -
Year End Total 5.9$ 2.7$ 1.5$ 1.1$ -$
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Data and Communications
Prior Year Purchase Orders 0.4 0.3 0.3 - -
Reappropriation 0.1 0.4 0.4 - -
Budgeted Use of Reserves - 0.8 0.8 - -
Data & Communication Surplus 1.3 0.6 - 0.6
Year End Total 1.8$ 2.1$ 1.5$ -$ 0.6$
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COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Staff: Lawrence Pollack, Budget Director
Travis Storin, Chief Financial Officer
Date: September 5, 2024
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
First Reading of Ordinance No., 2024, Making Supplemental Appropriations in Various
City Funds.
First Reading of Ordinance No., 2024, Appropriating Prior Year Reserves and
Authorizing Transfers in Various City Funds.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of these Annual Adjustment Ordinances is to combine dedicated and
unanticipated revenues or reserves that need to be appropriated before the end of the
year to cover the related expenses that were not anticipated and therefore, not included
in the 2024 annual budget appropriation. The unanticipated revenue is primarily from
fees, charges, rents, contributions and grants that have been paid to City departments
to offset specific expenses.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
• What questions or feedback does the Council Finance Committee have on the 2024
Annual Adjustment Ordinances?
• Does the Council Finance Committee support moving forward with bringing the 2024
Annual Adjustment Ordinances to the full City Council on the Consent Agenda?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
These Ordinances appropriates unanticipated revenue and prior year reserves in
various City funds and authorizes the transfer of appropriated amounts between funds
and/or projects. The City Charter permits the City Council to appropriate unanticipated
revenue received as a result of rate or fee increases or new revenue sources, such as
grants and reimbursements. The City Charter also permits the City Council to provide,
by ordinance, for payment of any expense from prior year reserves. Additionally, it
authorizes the City Council to transfer any unexpended appropriated amounts from one
fund to another upon recommendation of the City Manager, provided that the purpose
for which the transferred funds are to be expended remains unchanged; the purpose for
which they were initially appropriated no longer exists; or the proposed transfer is from a
fund or capital project account in which the amount appropriated exceeds the amount
needed to accomplish the purpose specified in the appropriation ordinance.
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If these appropriations are not approved, the City will have to reduce expenditures even
though revenue and reimbursements have been received to cover those expenditures.
The table below is a summary of the expenses in each fund that make up the increase
in requested appropriations. Also included are transfers between funds and/or projects
which do not increase net appropriations, but per the City Charter, require City Council
approval to make the transfer. A table with the specific use of prior year reserves
appears at the end of the AIS.
Funding Additional
Revenue
Prior Year
Reserves Transfers TOTAL
General Fund $801,293 $292,582 $0 $1,093,875
Cultural Services Fund 7,400 291,064 5,630 304,094
Capital Projects Fund 243,300 0 21,300 264,600
Transportation Services Fund 1,429,500 1,200 0 1,430,700
Self-Insurance Fund 970,239 0 0 970,239
Golf Fund 1,500 25,130 0 26,630
Cemeteries Fund 0 207,870 0 207,870
801-URA - Prospect South TIF District Fund 0 1,873,927 0 1,873,927
803-URA - Mall Fund 0 17,804 0 17,804
Transportation CEF Fund 0 21,300 0 21,300
GRAND TOTAL $3,453,232 $2,730,877 $26,930 $6,211,039
A. GENERAL FUND
1. EPS - Weld County Reimbursement for CERT Purchase
City's EPS applied to a FEMA funded program ran through the State's Northeast
All Hazard Region. Weld County serves as the fiscal agency for the State's
Northeast All Hazard Region, reporting all FEMA funds used for selected projects
on its financials (Weld County = grant recipient). The workings of the program
provide Weld reimbursing the City in upwards of $4,998 for emergency related
equipment/supplies. Based on the City not deemed as a grant recipient of FEMA
funds, the $4,998 in funds to be reimbursed by Weld are not grant funds. City's
EPS will spend the $4,998 in 2024.
2. Municipal Court - Constitutional Requirements
This request is to add additional funding for Court Appointed Defense Counsel
attorneys and interpreters to the Municipal Court's 2024 budget. The Municipal
Court's enforcement caseload has increased 21% in 2024 over 2023 case filings,
and 33% over case filings in 2022. The number of scheduled interpreter hearings
has doubled in 2024 as compared to 2023 (90 in 2023, 201 in 2024 through July
31st of each year). Because of these caseload and hearing increases, the Court
needs additional funds to continue to provide these constitutionally required
services to Court defendants.
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FROM: Prior Year Reserves (General Fund) $47,288
FOR: Municipal Court constitutionally required services $47,288
3. Municipal Court - Contractual Obligations
This request is to add funding to the Municipal Court's 2024 budget to pay for Jail
Services. Larimer County and the City of Fort Collins annually review the
intergovernmental agreement (IGA) relating to the City's use of the Larimer County
Jail for municipal defendants and bonding services. The agreement includes the
costs for bed spaces, bonding services, and in-custody video hearings held three
(3) a week to meet new State Law requirements. All of the costs associated with
these services and this contract have increased. The Court and the City Attorney's
Office work closely with the Larimer County Jail to review and update procedures
and apply efficiencies where possible.
4. Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) has received revenue from various
sources. A listing of these items follows:
a. $140,691 – Police Miscellaneous Revenue: Police Services receives
revenue from the sale of Police reports along with other miscellaneous
revenue, like restitution payments, evidence revenue and SWAT
training.
b. $34,800 – 2023/2024 BATTLE Grant Supplemental (Beat Auto Theft Through
Law Enforcement): 'The Property Crimes division of Police Services has been
awarded an additional $34,000 on top of the original $18,000 grant to fund
additional overtime to help investigate auto theft in Northern Colorado.
c. $29,387 - 2024 CRISP Server Storage Upgrade: Police Services needed
more server space to allow the CRISP system to function properly. This
clean up appropriation is equal to Larimer County's contribution to the
server upgrade.
d. $29,517 - 2020 JAG Grant Supplemental Award: Larimer County is the
Recipient of the JAG grant and at the end of the 3-year grant period in
2023, the county had excess grant funds to award and instead of sending
them back to DOJ, the city accepted the funds to offset overtime expenses
in 2023 for the Drug Task Force for drug investigations.
e. $43,750 - 2024 Police Radio Used Radio Sale: Police Services sold off old
radios that are no longer being used and the revenue will be used to
purchase new radios.
f. $265,534 - Police Reimbursable Overtime: Police Services help schedule
security and traffic control for large events. Since these events are staffed
by officers outside of their normal duties, officers are paid overtime. The
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organizational who requested officer presence and then billed for the costs
of the officers' overtime. FCPS partners with Larimer County to staff events
at The Ranch. Police receives reimbursement from Larimer County for
officers’ hours worked at Ranch events.
g. $69,684 – 2024 Police School Resource Officers Overtime: Police Services
have a contract with Poudre School District to provide Officers on location at
a majority of the schools for safety and support. The school district pays
Police Services based on a predetermined contract amount and also
partially reimbursing for overtime incurred. This request is for the previously
billed overtime and anticipated overtime for the remaining year.
h. $8,912 - 2024 DUI Enforcement: Proceeds that have been received for
DUI enforcement.
i. $1,847 - ICAC SFY 2023-24 Grant: Cyber Crimes received a supplemental
award of 1,847 to help fund additional travel for training purposes.
j. $19,000 - 2024-2025 HVE Grant: The Pollice Traffic Unit was awarded
$19,000 to help fund Police overtime expenses in order to monitor DUI
compliance on targeted enforcement days.
TOTAL APPROPRIATION
FROM:$34,800
FROM:$29,387
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FOR: Monitor DUI compliance $19,000
Total: $643,122
5. Digital Inclusion - Connexion Discount Program
Dedicated revenue from Fort Collins Connexion's PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) are
paid to the General Fund to support the City's Digital Inclusion Program. The Digital
Inclusion Program reimburses Connexion for customers enrolled in the income-qualified
digital inclusion discount program. Increased enrollment in the program will result in the
discount reimbursement to exceed budget at year-end. PILOT revenues to the General
Fund are projected to cover the increase in discounted customers and is requested to
be appropriated in 2024.
6. Radon Kits
Environmental Services sells radon test kits at cost as part of its program to reduce
lung-cancer risk from in-home radon exposure. This appropriation recovers kit
sales revenue for the purpose of restocking radon test kits annually.
7. Work for Others and Program Fees for Conflict Transformation Works
The Conflict Transformation Works (CTW) program earns revenue from 2 main
sources: providing workplace mediation for other City Departments and charging
fees to the youth who are involved in the conflict programming and resolution.
These revenue dollars primarily support the programming costs. We are requesting
appropriation of Mediation revenue of $3,000 ($1,462.50 has been received in
2024 and the remaining $1,527.50 is projected to be earned in 2024) and fee
revenue of $2,600 ($1,620 has been received in 2024 and the remaining $980 is
projected to be earned in 2024).
8. Restorative Justice Grant Award
A grant in the amount of $40,428 was awarded from the Colorado Division of Criminal
Justice Juvenile Diversion fund for the continued operations of Restorative Justice
Services programs that provide a community alternative to the justice system for youth
who commit crimes in Fort Collins. No match is required, and it is a reimbursable grant.
Grant period is July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2024. This grant helps fund youth referred from
the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office or referred in lieu of a summons to that office.
Since 2004, the City has received grant funding for Restorative Justice Services from
this grant funding agency.
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FROM: Unanticipated Revenue (Colorado Division of Criminal
Justice Diversion Grant)
$40,428
FOR: Restorative Justice Services programs $40,428
9. Land Bank Operational Expenses
This request is intended to cover expenses related to the land bank property
maintenance needs for 2023. Since expenses vary from year to year, funding is
requested annually mid-year to cover these costs. Expenses in 2023 include general
maintenance of properties, raw water and sewer expenses, electricity, repairs, and
other as applicable.
10. Manufacturing Equipment Use Tax Rebate
Finance requests the appropriation of $97,918 to cover the amount due for the 2023
Manufacturing Equipment Use Tax Rebate program as established in Chapter 25,
Article II, Division 5, of the Municipal Code.
B. CULTURAL SERVICES & FACILITIES FUND
1. Pianos About Town Grants
The purpose of this item is to appropriate prior year grant funds from the Bohemian
Foundation to Art in Public Places for the Pianos About Town program. Cultural
Services received grants in 2017, 2018 and 2020 totaling $128,414 and those funds
were never appropriated. This item seeks to ensure that the funding is correctly and
legally budgeted and accounted for.
2. Creative District Grant Funding
The purpose of this item is to appropriate current and prior year grant and
miscellaneous funds for the activities of the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District in
the amount of $170,050. Of $185,905 in total funding awarded to the Creative District
since it started in 2014, $15,855 has been appropriated. This activity will have a net
neutral impact on the City's bottom line and is required by City Charter and will ensure
that the funding is correctly and legally budgeted and accounted for.
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various grants)
FROM: Unanticipated Revenue (contributions & donations) $400
FROM: Unanticipated Revenue (State of Colorado CCI
Grant
$7,000
FOR: Downtown Fort Collins Creative District $170,050
3. Southridge Golf Irrigation Project APP contribution (refer to item G3)
Ordinance numbers 100 & 101, to be reviewed and passed by Council on August 20,
2024 should have included a contribution to Art in Public Places in the amount of
$5,630. This is based on the amount of $563,000 for the irrigation system replacement
at Southridge Golf Course.
C. CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
1. King Soopers 146 -- Midtown Gardens Marketplace Payment-In-Lieu (Drake
and College Intersection)
As part of the development agreement for King Soopers 146 -- Midtown Gardens
Marketplace at the northwest corner of Drake and College, the developer's traffic study
shows an impact to the College Avenue and Drake Road intersection that would have
required the construction of an eastbound to southbound right turn lane from Drake
Road to College Avenue. In-lieu of the developer constructing this right turn lane, the
development agreement required the payment of $243,300 to the City as part of the
College and Drake Capital Project. The Engineering Department is currently designing
the Drake and College intersection improvement.
2. Union on Elizabeth Payment-In-Lieu (W. Elizabeth St.; refer to item K1)
The City received a payment in lieu of construction from the Developer of the Union on
Elizabeth project. The payment was for required roadway frontage improvements of
W. Elizabeth St., per their development agreement. This payment was collected in
2018 and deposited into the Transportation Capital Expansion Fee Fund.
D. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES FUND
1. Open Streets Vendor Fees
Open Streets is an annual FC Moves event that promotes active modes of
transportation and invites folks to experience a street without cars. At Open Streets,
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participants can expect 1-2 miles of car-free, family-friendly streets. Participants are
encouraged to Ride the Route and explore areas called “Activity Hubs”- temporary
clusters of activity provided by local businesses and organizations. Vendors for Open
Streets are charged $50 if they are a non-profit, $100 if they are a private business.
For our Fall 2024 event, we have 38 private businesses and 10 non-profits already
signed up as vendors, in addition to 10 food trucks.
Our request includes $1,200 in vendor fees from 2023 that were not appropriated (so
this would be coming from Transportation Reserves), $4,000 in fees that have been
collected to date in 2024, and a projection of another $500 we expect to collect for the
remainder of 2024. It is important that we are able to offset our costs with these fees,
since our operating budget is not large enough to support this event without incoming
revenue.
2. Spin Annual Payment
Per the contract between the City and Spin, Spin pays an annual fee of $10,000. These
funds can be used at the City's discretion, and typically are used for projects related to
the Spin program. In 2024, funds were used to install bike/scooter boxes for better
parking options, and to support the Which Wheels Go Where project to update City
code regulating what types of micromobility can be used on what facilities.
3. Streets Department Work for Other Program
The Planning, Development and Transportation Work for Others program is a self-
supported program for all “Work for Others” activities within Streets. Expenses are
tracked and billed out to other City departments, Poudre School District, CSU, CDOT,
Larimer County, developers and other public agencies. The original budget of $3.2M
was an estimate based on prior years budget with allowed growth rate. Due to
unanticipated projects and equipment/parts needs, and higher cost of materials,
additional funding of $715K is requested to cover projects through the end of 2024.
Revenue for performing the work will offset the expense (expense will not be incurred if
revenue is not received).
4. Traffic Department Work for Other Program
The Planning, Development and Transportation Work for Others program is a self-
supported program for all “Work for Others” activities within Traffic. Expenses are
tracked and billed out to other City departments, developers and other public agencies.
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The original budget of $752K was an estimate based on prior years budget with allowed
growth rate. Due to unanticipated projects and equipment/parts needs, and higher cost
of materials, additional funding of $700K is requested to cover projects through the end
of 2024. Revenue for performing the work will offset the expense (expense will not be
incurred if revenue is not received).
E. SELF INSURANCE FUND
1. Self Insurance Fund Insurance expenditures
City insurance premiums and claim settlements are projecting to exceed the 2024
budget within the Self Insurance Fund. 2024 Fund revenues in the amount of $970,239
are available for appropriation to cover excess insurance expenditures. Self Insurance
Fund reserves exceed the City's target reserve level and surplus revenues are not
needed to contribute to fund balance at year end.
F. CONSERVATION TRUST FUND
1. Correct lapsing to non-lapsing ORD 33 Fossil Creek Trail Spur Project
Ordinance #33, adopted by Council on March 19, 2024, should have been non-lapsing.
This was not clearly indicated in the AIS, so the amount needs to be moved from a
lapsing to a non-lapsing business unit since this is for the Fossil Creek Trail Spur
Project.
Project
G. GOLF FUND
1. Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA) Grants
First Green GCSAA Grants (Golf Course Superintendent Association of America) were
awarded in early 2024 to all three golf courses for Poudre School District community
outreach. With these grants, we engaged with STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics) students and taught them about how it applies to a golf
course. We've received $1,500 for these grants.
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2. City Park 9 Pump station repairs
The City Park 9 Pump Station is showing signs of imminent failure and will need to be
replaced prior to the 2025 season in order to maintain the current level of service
provided to its patrons. Without this station, irrigation of the course is not possible. In
2024, repairs were made in order to get the station through the end of the season, but if
the pump were to fail in 2025, it would lead to subpar course conditions and reductions
in rounds revenue. These repairs take around 8-12 weeks and need to be completed
prior to the start of the 2025 irrigation season in early March. Total cost of these repairs
are estimated at $25,130.
3. Southridge Golf Irrigation Project APP contribution (refer to item B3)
Ordinance numbers 100 & 101, to be reviewed and passed by Council on August 20,
2024, should have included a contribution to Art in Public Places in the amount of
$5,630. This is based on the amount of $563,000 for the irrigation system replacement
at Southridge Golf Course.
H. CEMETERIES FUND
1. 149 Grandview repairs
The Parks Cemeteries division manages a rental house at 149 Grandview that is in
desperate need of repairs due to missed inspections. These repairs include gutter
cleaning/repairs, deck repairs/painting, roof repairs, window sealing, and more are
estimated at $50,000.
2. Grandview pump station electrical repairs/upgrades
In April Cemeteries made necessary electrical repairs/upgrades to the Grandview pump
station due to an outdated source that was not up to code and unsafe. The total cost of
these repairs is $34,720.
3. Purchase of Backhoe in 2023 invoiced in 2024
Cemeteries was approved for the purchase of a Backhoe during the 23-24 budget cycle
(Offer 57.2). PO 9240355 was issued for this purchase 2/23/2023; however, it was not
delivered until February 2024. This PO was missed during the PO Carryforward
exercise. We are asking for $123,150 to cover these expenses that should have hit in
2023.
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I. URA PROSPECT SOUTH FUND #801
1. Transfer of Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Fund Equity 801 to Fund 800
The URA districts were consolidated into one fund in 2024, Fund 800. This transfers
the residual assigned fund balance in Fund 801 (Prospect South) & Fund 803 (Foothills
Mall) to Fund 800. Subsidiaries have been assigned in the new fund structure and
funds will be transferred accordingly.
J. URA MALL FUND #803
1. Transfer of Urban Renewal Authority (URA) Fund Equity 803 to Fund 800
The URA districts were consolidated into one fund in 2024, Fund 800. This transfers
the residual assigned fund balance in 801 (Prospect South) & 803 (Foothills Mall) to
fund 800. Subsidiaries have been assigned in the new fund structure and funds will be
transferred accordingly.
K. TRANSPORTATION CEF FUND
1. Transfer to the Capital Projects Fund for the Union on Elizabeth Payment-In-
Lieu (W. Elizabeth St.; refer to item C2)
The City received a payment in lieu of construction from the Developer of the Union on
Elizabeth project. The payment was for required roadway frontage improvements of
W. Elizabeth St., per their development agreement. This payment was collected in
2018 and deposited into the Transportation Capital Expansion Fee Fund.
FINANCIAL / ECONOMIC IMPACTS
This Ordinance increases total City 2024 appropriations by $6,211,039. Of that
amount, this Ordinance increases General Fund 2024 appropriations by $1,093,875,
including use of $292,582 in prior year reserves. Funding for the total increase to City
appropriations is $3,453,232 from unanticipated revenue, $2,730,877 from prior year
reserves and $26,930 from transfers from reserves or previously appropriated funds.
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The following is a summary of the items requesting prior year reserves:
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment #1 – Presentation to Council Finance Committee
A2 General Fund Muni Ct - Constitutional Requirements $47,288
A3 General Fund Muni Ct - Contractual Obligations 46,059
A4d General Fund Police - 2020 JAG Grant Supplemental Award 29,517
A9 General Fund Land Bank Operational Expenses 71,800
A10 General Fund Manufacturing Equipment Use Tax Rebate 97,918
B1 Cultural Services Fund Pianos About Town Grants 128,414
B2 Cultural Services Fund Creative District Grant Funding 162,650
D1 Transportation Services Fund Open Streets Vendor Fees 1,200
G2 Golf Fund Golf - City Park 9 Pump station repairs 25,130
H1 Cemeteries Fund Cemeteries- 149 Grandview repairs 50,000
H2 Cemeteries Fund Cemeteries - Grandview pump station electrical
repairs/upgrades 34,720
H3 Cemeteries Fund Cemeteries - Purchase of Backhoe in 2023 invoiced in
2024 123,150
I1 801-URA - Prospect South TIF
District Fund Transfer of URA Fund Equity 801 to Fund 800 1,873,927
J1 803-URA - Mall Fund Transfer of URA Fund Equity 803 to Fund 800 17,804
K1 Transportation CEF Fund Engineering - Union on Elizabeth Payment-In-Lieu (W.
Elizabeth St.)21,300
Page 98 of 127
2024 Annual Adjustment Ordinances
Council Finance Committee –September 5, 2024
Attachment #1
Page 99 of 127
22024 Annual Adjustment Ordinances
The recommended 2024 Annual Adjustment Ordinances are
intended to address:
•2024 unanticipated revenues (e.g., grants & reimbursements)
•Appropriation of unassigned reserves to fund unanticipated expenditures
associated with approved 2024 appropriations
•Should be routine and non-controversial
•Items approved by the ordinance need to be spent within fiscal / calendar
year 2024, unless non-lapsing in nature
Page 100 of 127
32024 Annual Adjustment Ordinances
City-wide Ordinances No. , 2024 increase total City 2024
appropriations by $6,211k
•These Ordinances increase General Fund 2024 appropriations by $1,094k,
including the use of $293k in prior year reserves. Those reserves are primarily
for:
o $72K for Land Bank Operational Expenses
o $98k for Manufacturing Equipment Use Tax Rebate
•Funding for the total City appropriation of $6,211k is:
o $3,453k from Unanticipated Revenue
o $2,731k from Prior Year Reserves
o $27k from Transfers from Reserves or previously appropriated funds
Page 101 of 127
4Summary of 2024 Adjustments by Fund
Funding (all values in $k)Additional
Revenue
Prior Year
Reserves Transfers TOTAL
GRAND TOTAL $3,453 $2,731 $27 $6,211
Page 102 of 127
5Larger Adjustments
Item (in $k)General
Fund
Capital
Projects
Fund
Cultural
Services
Fund
Transportation
Services Fund
Self-
Insurance
Fund
Other TOTAL
Sub-Total $265.5 $243.3 $170.1 $1,415.0 $970.2 $1,891.7 $4,955.9
All Other Recommended Items $828.3 $21.3 $134.0 $15.7 $0.0 $255.8 $1,255.2
TOTAL $1,094 $265 $304 $1,431 $970 $2,148 $6,211
Page 103 of 127
62024 Annual Adjustment Ordinances
Guidance Requested:
•What questions or feedback does the Council Finance Committee have
on the 2024 Annual Adjustment Ordinances?
•Does the Council Finance Committee support moving forward with
bringing the 2024 Annual Adjustment Ordinances to the full City Council
on the Consent Agenda?
Page 104 of 127
Page 105 of 127
COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Staff: Travis Walker, Interim Light & Power Director
Cody Snowdon, Electric Engineering Director
Date: 9/5/24
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: Light & Power Bond Issuance and Capital Planning
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY L&P Management wishes to inform the Council Finance
Committee on the use of funding to date and future use of the issuance.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
(Work session questions should be designed to gather direction from Council without requiring
Councilmembers to make a decision.)
- Inform Council Finance on use of funds and future capital plans.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION (details of item – History, current policy, previous Council
actions, alternatives or options, costs or benefits, considerations leading to staff conclusions, data
and statistics, next steps, etc.)
Current and future use of bond issuance:
- Transformer purchases for development and supply chain issues- catch up from pandemic
- Cable and Transformer Replacements- replacing aging infrastructure to maintain
reliability and facilitate electrification
- Back-to-front yard conversions to facilitate Beneficial Electrification- enables larger
service capacity for heat pumps, electric vehicles
- Technology that supports the electric system and the Virtual Power Plant- Advanced
Distribution Management System
- Limited Equipment Purchases to facilitate cable replacement projects
- Substation Planning/system studies to support electrification
ATTACHMENTS (numbered Attachment 1, 2, 3,…)
Slides attached.
Page 106 of 127
Page 107 of 127
2Background
$60 Million Total
$20 Million to Connexion $40 Million to Light & Power
2023 Light & Power/Connexion Bond Issuance
Page 108 of 127
3Bond Utilization Plans
Through the continued capital improvement plan, the City team has identified several
areas of the Electric System in need of investment.
Light & Power
•Build a new substation in the northeast part of the City. (System study to verify).
•Cover increased costs associated with the purchase of transformers due to supply chain
issues.
•Additional annexation costs and additional capital replacement work that needs to be
addressed throughout the Electric System.
Connexion
•Complete the Telecommunications Systems
Page 109 of 127
4Future Needs
System Concerns:Plan Moving Forward:
•Being prepared for current and future
development projects.
•Having stock to replace existing
transformers.
•Hardening the system to allow for BE
and EV deployment across the City.
•Load distribution and optimization.
•Safety.
•Reliability.
•Purchasing transformers to get back
to Pre-Covid stock numbers.
•Increasing Cable Replacement
Projects.
•Expediting a Rear Lot – Front Lot
Conversion Program.
•Off-loading circuits to establish a
better balance between substations.
•Selecting and implementing new
software to help response, efficiency,
and accuracy.
Page 110 of 127
5Current & Future Funding
$11 million used so far
Transformer Purchases
•Total Cost: $11.3M
o $9.3M Bond, $2M from yearly budget
•Three Phase: 131 QTY
• Single Phase: 335 QTY
Back Lot to Front Lot Conversion Project
• Mulberry Conversion Project
o Cost: $1,020,000
o # of Lots: 48
Circuit Replacements
• Circuit 514
o Cost: $194,000
Equipment
•Line Truck
o Cost: $320,100
• Cable Puller
o Cost: $383,370 Page 111 of 127
6Ongoing Cable Replacements
Will increase to $2M+ per year in
future budgets
•Maintains system reliability
and facilitates loading for
Beneficial Electrification.
•Replacements based on risk
of failure (comprehensive
statistical analysis) or based
on age.
Currently budgeted for $500,000 per year
Page 112 of 127
Headline Copy Goes Here 7Transformer Replacements
Will increase to $5M+ per year in
future budgets
•New construction
•Replacements of overhead
modified to newer submersible
style transformers
o This style allows for greater
capacity, nighttime charging
of EVs
Currently budgeted for $2 million per year
Page 113 of 127
8Back Lot to Front Conversions
1000+ services will need to be
moved to front-lot design
•Front lot installation is safer for
crews and residents.
•Allows for 200 amp+ service
sizes to allow for beneficial
electrification- EV's, heat pumps,
etc.
$23 million identified in associated costs
Page 114 of 127
Substation Load Diversification
•Substation Load Diversification distributes
loads out of our substations more efficiently.
o This results in increased flexibility for the
utility.
•It also helps us take advantage of current
infrastructure in absorbing greater load
needs from Beneficial Electrification.
o This helps to ensure we are allocating
loads properly on our infrastructure, so
we aren’t overusing certain areas
unnecessarily.
9
Page 115 of 127
10Technology
Advanced Distribution
Management System:
•Allows for participation in Platte
River Power Authority/L&P Virtual
Power Plant
•Provides the technology to control
and communicate with distributed
energy resources (batteries, EV's,
thermostats)
•Provides an Outage Management
System and allows for better
communications to customers
during outages.
Page 116 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereCurrent Transformers Quantities
12
Single Phase Transformers
•Left Side: Transformer Quantities on hand.
o Limited number for transformer failure
replacements
•Middle: Transformers already reserved for new
development that has started construction
•Right Side: Quantities if all reserved transformers
were placed in the field.
o Currently there is a shortage on 50 kVA
Submersibles (-38),100 kVA Padmounts (-17),
and 167kVA Padmounts.
Three-Phase Transformers
•Left Side: Transformer Quantities on hand.
o Limited number for transformer failure
replacements
•Middle: Transformers already reserved for new
development that has started construction
•Right Side: Quantities if all reserved
transformers were placed in the field.
o Currently we are in the positive, but this does
not include any of the projects that are under
Development Review and close to
construction.Page 118 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereHistoric & Forecasted Single-Phase Transformers Quantities
13
•Historically: Light and Power has seen a trend of under 10 issued 120/208v, 3-
Phase transformers over the last 10 years, excluding 2022
•Forecasted: This includes larger project such as Montava Phase D, Cable
Replacement Projects, and Sonders Village. This does not account for all the
additional phases within Bloom and Montava or other future developable areas.
Page 119 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereHistoric & Forecasted 3-Phase Transformers Quantities
14
•Historically: Light and Power has seen a trend of under 10 issued 120/208v, 3-
Phase transformers over the last 10 years, excluding 2022
•Forecasted: There has been a shifted in development focusing more on multi-
family. This has caused for a large increase in 120/208v transformers. Above
shows the quantities estimated for project either within Development Review or
already approved through the process.
Page 120 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereTransformer Lead Time & Cost Increase
15
•Lead Time:
•25 kVA increased from 23 to 104 weeks (2 years)
•50 kVA increased from 32 to 104 weeks (2 years)
•75 kVA increased from 51 to 104 weeks (2 years)
•Increased Transformer Cost:
•Actual quotes
o 50 kVA increased from $3,283 in 2020 to
$16,649 in 2023 (507% ↑)
•Estimates based on 50 kVA increases
o 25 kVA estimated increase from $2,675 in
2020 to $12,737 in 2023 (476% ↑)
o 75 kVA estimated increase from $3,403 in
2020 to 24,340 in 2023 (715% ↑)
Page 121 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereRear Lot to Front Lot Conversions
16
Project Estimates:
Benefits:
•Crew Safety
o Removes them from private property
during emergency outages.
•Allows customers ability to increase
service size.
o Currently max is 125-amps
o Does not allow PV, EV, or BE
Subdivision No. of Lots Estimate
Mulberry Conversion 48 1,020,000.00$
Miller Brothers Foothills 9 191,250.00$
Avery Park Phase 2 131 2,783,750.00$
Avery Park Phase 3 119 2,528,750.00$
Sheely Subdivision 34 722,500.00$
South College Heights 224 4,760,000.00$
Indian Hills Subdivision 181 3,846,250.00$
ParkwoodSubdivision 149 3,166,250.00$
Meadow LarkSubdivision 245 5,206,250.00$
Totals:1140 24,225,000.00$
Page 122 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereRear Lot to Front Lot Conversions
17
•Grain Bin
•Modified Overhead within metal
enclosure.
•Secondary fuses on the side.
•Corn Crib
o Deep concrete vaults.
o Hot fuses on the side
o Custom lids in private yards.
o Most in conduit that is impassable and
will require a bore to install new conduit.
•Residential Services
o Combined Service Box
o Widow Boxes
o Only access through the top and all
live wires.
•Transformers
•Extremely hard to find, repair,
and replace.
Page 123 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereCable Replacement Project (Distribution Cable)
18Page 124 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereSubstation Load Diversification
19
Issue:
•A couple substations are at
maximum capacity
•Harmony Substation (500)
•Dixon Substation (200)
•Linden Substation (700)
•A few substations have additional
capacity
•Portner Substation (900)
•Richards Lake Substation (600)
•Timberline Substation (300)
•Currently there is not an updated
study to understand the overall
capacity of the system or future
growth.
Plan:
•Install a few circuits from Portner
Substation to off-load Harmony and
Dixon.
•Install a few circuits from Timberline
Substation to off-load Harmony,.
•Potentially install a few circuits from
Timberline to off-load Dixon.
•Need for better Technology and
current system load study.
•Drake Substation:
•Circuits (Occupied): 9
•Positions Open: 0
•Double Stacked: 1
•Timberline Substation:
•Circuits (Occupied): 9
•Harmony Substation:
•Circuits: 27
•Positions Open: (1)
•Richard Lake Substation
•Circuits: 6
Page 125 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereSubstation Load Shedding
20Page 126 of 127
Headline Copy Goes HereModified Overhead Transformer Replacement
21
Issue:
•Total of 3,478 in the field currently
•Total to be replaced
•946 – 25 kVA
•2,250 – 50 kVA
•92 – 75 kVA
•30 – 100 kVA
•1 – 167 kVA
Plan:
•Start a replacement program
•Help with electrification due to
cooling
•Help to update our system
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