HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - Mail Packet - 8/2/2022 - City Council Finance Committee Agenda - August 1, 2022 (7)
Finance Administration
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AGENDA
Council Finance & Audit Committee
August 1, 2022
4:00 - 6:00 pm
Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/8140111859
Approval of Minutes from the July 7, 2022, Council Finance Committee meeting.
1. Aquatics 45 mins. S. Ghose
L. Williams
V. Shaw
2. Annual Financial Audit Results 25 mins. B. Dunn
3. East Mulberry: Potential Annexation Lenses & Phasing
50 mins. D. Lenz
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Council Finance Committee
Agenda Planning Calendar 2022
RVSD 07/28/22 - ck
August 1st 2022
Aquatics 45 min
S. Ghose
L. Williams
V. Shaw
Annual Financial Audit Results 25 min B. Dunn
East Mulberry: Potential Annexation Lenses & Phasing 50 min D. Lenz
Sept. 1st 2022
Sustainable Revenue Update 70 min G. Sawyer
J. Poznanovic
Annual Adjustment Ordinance 20 min L. Pollack
2021 Fund Balance Review 30 min B. Dunn
Oct. 6th 2022
Hold: E. Mulberry Follow-ups 30 min
D. Lenz
S. Tatman-
Burruss
2023 Utility Rate Increases 45 min L. Smith
Utilities Income-Qualified Assistance Program Structure 30 min H. Young
Nov. 3rd 2022
General Employee Retirement Plan (GERP) Annual Report 30 min B. Dunn
Financial Policy Updates 30 min B. Dunn
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Finance Administration
215 N. Mason
2nd Floor
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6788
970.221.6782 - fax
fcgov.com
Finance Committee Meeting Minutes
July 7, 2022, 4-6 pm
Zoom
Council Attendees: Kelly Ohlson, Emily Francis (Acting Chair), Susan Gutowsky
Absent: Julie Pignataro
Staff: Kelly DiMartino, Travis Storin, Tyler Marr, Carrie Daggett, John Duval,
Teresa Roche, Clay Frickey, Rachel Rogers, Jennifer Poznanovic,
Nina Bodenhamer, Terri Runyan, Ginny Sawyer, Victoria Shaw, Gerry Paul,
Sheena Freve, Blaine Dunn, Amanda Newton, Jo Cech, Lance Smith, Dave Lenz,
Zack Mozer, Erik Martin, Carolyn Koontz
Others:
Jacy Marmaduke, Coloradoan
Kevin Jones, Chamber
Rachel Selby
Jeff Byler, Manager, Pacific North Enterprises
Tamara Seaver and Karlie Ogden, from Icenogle Seaver Pogue
______________________________________________________________________________
Meeting called to order at 4:00 pm
Approval of minutes from the June 2, 2022, Council Finance Committee Meeting. Kelly Ohlson moved for approval
of the minutes as presented. Emily Francis seconded the motion. Minutes were approved unanimously via roll call
by; Kelly Ohlson and Emily Francis.
A. Rudolph Farms - Metro District
Clay Frickey, Redevelopment Program Manager
John Duval, Deputy City Attorney
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Inclusion of Paradigm property into Rudolph Farm Metro District
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to consider the inclusion of the Paradigm property into the Rudolph Farm
Metropolitan District (Metro District) located at Prospect and I-25. The developer of the Paradigm property is
also seeking through the City’s land use process to change the land use mix for the Paradigm property. This
inclusion would allow the District to levy on the Paradigm property a Debt Service Mill Levy of 50 mills and an
Operations and Maintenance Mill Levy of 20 mills, or a total of 70 mills, which property taxes would be used by
the Metro District to fund the construction, operation and maintenance of public improvements. There is
already levied on the Paradigm property by the I-25/Prospect Interchange Metro District a 10 mill levy to be
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used to reimburse the City for a share of the City’s funding of the recent CDOT improvements to the I-
25/Prospect interchange. It is unclear what public improvements the Metro District would fund related to the
Paradigm property.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Does the Council Finance Committee support the inclusion of the Paradigm property in the Metro District?
What additional information would be helpful when staff presents this item to City Council?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
On March 6, 2018, City Council approved a series of resolutions related to the funding of interchange
improvements at Prospect and I-25. These resolutions resulted in the following:
• Approval and authorization of a Binding Agreement pertaining to the development of Interstate Highway 25
and Prospect Road Interchange and a related Capital Pledge Agreement
• Approval of the I-25/Prospect Interchange Metro District covering all properties adjacent to the I-
25/Prospect interchange
• Approval of the Rudolph Farms Metro District at the northeast corner of Prospect and I-25
• Approval of the Gateway at Prospect Metro District at the northwest corner of Prospect and I-25
• Approval of the SW Prospect I-25 Metro District at the southwest corner of Prospect and I-25
Approval of these agreements and Metro Districts resulted in the City, the Colorado Department of
Transportation (CDOT), the owners of the parcels of private property at the four corners of the interchange
(Property Owners) and the Town of Timnath sharing in the costs to fund improvements to the I-25/Prospect
interchange to be built concurrently with the expansion of I-25. By rebuilding the I-25/Prospect interchange at
the same time as the I-25 expansion, the project was able to realize efficiencies that resulted in $7 million in
reduced project costs. This also accelerated the timeline for improvements to the interchange.
These actions also created the Metro Districts at each corner of the I-25/Prospect interchange with the
exception of the southeast corner. The southeast corner of I-25/Prospect is known as the Paradigm property.
The approved Metro Districts allow for funding of necessary infrastructure and public improvements to serve
future development within the Districts. These Metro Districts pre-date the City’s Metro District policy requiring
public benefits from Metro Districts where more than 10% of the assessed value is residential.
These actions also created the I-25/Prospect Interchange Metro District (Interchange Metro District). All of the
Property Owners’ properties are included within the boundaries of the Interchange Metro District. The purpose
of the Interchange Metro District is to generate tax and fee revenues from the Property Owners’ properties to
reimburse the City for the Property Owners’ share of the costs to fund the CDOT improvements to the I-
25/Prospect Interchange.
The estimated total project cost of the I-25/Prospect interchange improvements was $31 million. Of this, $24
million was for base design while the remaining $7 million represents the City’s required urban design elements.
CDOT shared in 50 percent of the base design portion, or $12 million. The remaining $19 million was split
between the City, Property Owners, and Timnath at 43%, 43%, and 14%, respectively. Timnath’s share is based
on traffic studies with the City and Property Owners splitting the remaining costs.
Table 1
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Partners Allocation of Costs (Millions)
On March 5, 2019, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 30, 2019, appropriating $19,099,945 to fund all non-
CDOT costs associated with the I-25/Prospect interchange improvements. The City would seek repayment from
the Property Owners within the District and from the Town of Timnath. The Binding Agreement requires each
party highlighted in the table above to pay its share of the costs associated with the interchange improvements.
The Capital Pledge Agreement outlines the terms of repayment for the Owners’ Share of the project costs to be
paid, in effect, through the Interchange Metro District.
The Capital Pledge Agreement identifies the sources of revenue from the Interchange Metro District that will be
used to reimburse the City for the Property Owners’ share of the costs. These revenue sources include:
• Imposition of a property tax mill levy of 10 mills on all taxable property within the Interchange Metro District
• 0.75% public improvement fee (PIF) on all retail purchases made within the Interchange Metro District, net
of any reasonable administrative fees for collection by the City
• Impact fee collected at the time of issuance of a vertical building permit based on land use within the
Interchange Metro District
Per the Capital Pledge Agreement, the Property Owners’ share is payable on or before December 1 of each year
in twenty equal installments of $479,000 beginning December 1, 2019. At the end each month, the property
owners must remit any PIF or impact fees collected during the preceding month. In the event that the Property
Owners are unable to pay $479,000 by December 1, the deficit accrues interest at a rate of 4.25%. The current
deficit of the Property Owners’ share is $958,622.
Rudolph Farms Background:
The Rudolph Farms property lies in three zone districts: General Commercial (CG), Industrial (I), and Urban
Estate (UE). The Rudolph Farms Metro District Service Plan contemplates development that would conform to
the permitted uses of those zone districts. Table 2 below shows the approved land use mix in the Rudolph Farms
Total Fort Collins Property
Owners Timnath
Overpass Cost $19.00 $8.25 $8.25 $2.50
% Share Cost 100% 43% 43% 13%
Less ROW Credit $0.50 $0.00 $0.50 $0.00
Less TCEF Credit $1.40 $0.70 $0.70 $0.00
Debt Obligation $17.10 $7.55 $7.05 $2.50
% Share Payments 100% 44% 41% 15%
Partners Share Allocation
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Metro District Service Plan. The land use mix for Rudolph Farms in the I-25/Prospect Interchange Service Plan
mirrors the land use mix shown in the Rudolph Farms Service Plan.
PNE Prospect Holdings LLC (PNE) acquired Rudolph Farms in 2021. PNE is looking to potentially acquire the
Paradigm property for inclusion in the Rudolph Farms Metro District. In addition to including the Paradigm
property, PNE contemplates changes to the land use mix and has two potential concepts in mind as per Table 2.
Table 2 – Rudolph Farms Land Use Mix Comparison
Service Plan Concept 1 Concept 2
% Change -
Concept 1
% Change -
Concept 2
Retail 107,850 121,904 127,900 13.03% 18.59%
Hotel
(Rooms) 240 0 0 -100.00% -100.00%
Convenience 5,350 0 0 -100.00% -100.00%
Office 0 80,320 153,400 100.00% 100.00%
Industrial 831,150 440,500 300,500 -47.00% -63.85%
Residential
(Units) 60 563 685 838.33% 1041.67%
Self Storage - 96,951 96,951 100.00% 100.00%
Paradigm Background:
On January 15, 2004, the Planning and Zoning Board approved the Paradigm Overall Development Plan (ODP).
The purpose of an ODP is to establish general planning and development control parameters for projects that
will be developed in phases with multiple submittals while allowing sufficient flexibility to permit detailed
planning in subsequent submittals. The approved Paradigm ODP permits retail, drive-thru restaurant, hotel,
convenience store with gas station, restaurant, office, and warehouse uses. The I-25/Prospect Interchange
Metro District Service Plan contemplates Paradigm developing 114,000 square feet of retail and a 100-room
hotel, mirroring the approved ODP.
In acquiring Paradigm, PNE looks to change the land use mix of Paradigm. On June 22, PNE met with City staff
for a Preliminary Design Review about changing the land use mix for Paradigm. Preliminary Design Review is a
pre-application meeting where City staff highlights potential issues with the proposed development prior to the
applicant submitting a formal development application with the City. PNE proposes two hotels, two pad sites for
fast casual restaurants, a convenience store, and a parcel for multi-family. There is not enough detail in the
Preliminary Design Review application to compare the proposed land use mix with that approved in the Overall
Development Plan and I-25/Prospect Interchange Service Plan.
Inclusion of Paradigm property into Rudolph Farms Metro District:
On June 7, 2022, legal counsel for PNE submitted a formal letter requesting inclusion of the Paradigm property
into the Rudolph Farms Metro District. Per Section V(A)(4) of the Rudolph Farms Service Plan, inclusion of new
property to the Metro District requires approval by City Council. Including Paradigm into the Rudolph Farms
Metro District would allow the Metro District to issue bonds to fund public improvements required to serve the
Paradigm property. The bonds would be repaid by placing a mill levy on the Paradigm property. The Rudolph
Farms Service Plan projects the need for a Debt Service Mill Levy of 50 mills and an Operations and Maintenance
Mill Levy of 20 mills, or a total of 70 mills. The inclusion of the Paradigm property into the Metro District would
yield the following necessary updates to the Rudolph Farms Metro District:
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• List of public improvements required to serve the Metro District inclusive of Paradigm
• Development summary
• Exhibits of public infrastructure required to serve Paradigm
• Financial plan
None of the amendments listed above require Council approval.
As mentioned above, Paradigm also contributes to the I-25/Prospect Interchange improvements. While the
change in land use has little impact on the Rudolph Farms Metro District, these land use changes have more
implications for the Interchange Metro District. The I-25/Prospect Interchange Service Plan contemplated the
Paradigm property developing 114,000 square feet of retail and a 100-room hotel. The amended plans show two
hotels, two pad sites for fast casual restaurants, a convenience store, and a parcel for multi-family. This presents
some opportunities and potential risks for the City to collect the Property Owners’ share of costs associated with
the I-25/Prospect interchange improvements.
Opportunities:
• More feasible development plan – the updated development plans reflect updated development ideas to
meet current market demand. Paradigm has sat vacant since approval of the ODP in 2004. This is an
indication that the approved ODP is not well positioned to meet current market demands and may never
come to fruition.
• Faster revenue generation – a more feasible development plan could yield faster revenue generation for the
interchange improvements. There is already a sizable deficit for the Property Owners’ share and this change
to the land use mix could help the City recover some of its costs quicker.
Risks:
• Lower assessment rates – In Colorado, properties are taxed based on a percent of its assessed value.
Commercial properties are taxed at 29% while residential properties are taxed at 7.15%. The updated plans
for Paradigm would have 6.2 acres of residential uses. This means the residential component of Paradigm
would need to have an assessed value four times that of a commercial property to yield the same revenue
from the mill levy imposed by the Interchange Metro District.
• Lower PIF revenues – Another source of revenue in the Capital Pledge Agreement is the imposition of a
0.75% PIF on retail sales within the Interchange Metro District. Residential properties do not generate retail
sales. By converting a portion of Paradigm property to residential from retail, the result will be less PIF
revenue.
Without additional detail on how and when the Paradigm property might develop, it is uncertain how much the
changes in Paradigm’s land use mix will affect the City’s ability to recover from the Property Owners their share
of costs for the interchange improvements.
DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS:
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
• Does the Council Finance Committee support the inclusion of the Paradigm property in the Metro District?
• What additional information would be helpful when staff presents this item to City Council?
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Kelly Ohlson; the $8.5M for the private sector share – if they don’t pay that off in 10 -15 years, the value of the
$8.5M will be closer to $3-4M. Do we have any kind of interest payment or escalating written in? Why would
we not build that in?
Clay Frickey, Yes, that is built in, there is a 4.25% interest rate - payments were scheduled to started in 2019 –
property owners share – accrues interest – no payments received to date
Travis Storin; payment don’t start until PIF (Public Investment Fund) revenue starts
Kelly Ohlson; maybe it makes sense to start the payments when their share of improvements is 90% finished
John Duval; as soon as they start having development and the Mill levy starts getting generated – the
development will start receiving that money – whatever the Metro District gets off of the Mill levy on any
development, on any included properties and as PIF starts getting generated and there are some impact fees
they are to collect
Kelly Ohlson; What I am concerned about in the future is that the private sector writes better agreements for
their benefit than we do for ours. In some cases, it could be 10 years after the improvements are built and that
money is not worth nearly as much.
John Duval; they do start paying property tax right away from the metro district to the city under the agreement
- when development starts interest accrues at 4.64% rate unless or until payments are made.
Kelly Ohlson; I am not going to support this, but I think staff is playing under the rules established so it is fair that
you are bringing this to us. Is there a recommendation included?
Clay Frickey; no, we wanted to get Council Finance Committee’s perspective before making a recommendation.
Kelly Ohlson; I am not supportive of metro districts in general. I view them as fatally flawed, generally scams
and in many cases corrupt.
Emily Francis; in layman’s terms – Paradigm Property has a current plan of what should go there (the original).
Rudolph Farms wants to incorporate Paradigm into their metro district and at the same time change what is
going into Paradigm.
Clay Frickey; that is correct – there is a lot of information and moving pieces – so please feel free to ask for
clarity.
Emily Francis; since this was originally adopted by Council, we have updated our metro district policies, so I am
not in favor of absorbing another property (Paradigm) into this without it having to come up to our current,
updated standards. Based on that, I am not in favor as we have gone through a process of updating our
standards to align with the outcomes we are trying to achieve. I would say that Paradigm could go through the
process and apply for their own metro district, but I don’t think it is appropriate to just absorb a property
because Rudolph Farms is purchasing it and then also changing the land use quite dramatically (getting rid of
open space).
Is it typical for the city to zone multifamily dwelling units so close to a gas station?
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Clay Frickey; I would have to take a look and see where gas stations are located – I can think of a couple
examples where this is the case - this is not common but also not unheard of.
ACTION ITEM:
Emily Francis; I can see that being appropriate in the 80’s when we didn’t have as much information about the
negative health consequences of living so close to a gas station. As a side note, could we see if that is still
allowed in our land use code?
If Rudolph Farms wants to buy this they would need to go through the whole process.
Kelly Ohlson; referencing an editorial in Denver Post -Sunday, May 1, 2022 (see link below)
https://www.denverpost.com/2022/04/28/metro-district-abuse-junior-bond-debt-house-bill-1363/
HB 1363 would have shut down one of the most egregious abuses of taxpayer dollars when developers issue a
small tranche of debt on the bond market with unfavorable terms with above market interest and then buy the
debt themselves so future homeowners will end up paying the developer for decades through their property
taxes for a completely unnecessary load of bad debt. HB1363 is simple and only a small part of the reforms
needed for a deeply flawed state law that allows private, for-profit developers to spend millions in taxpayer
dollars with no oversight of the spending from publicly elected officials, the only people who determine how the
money is spent and how it will be paid by taxpayers are the developers and their employees who have a
financial stake in the venture. Millions of Coloradoans are paying off the debt incurred by these developers with
no ability to see what the money was spent on or whether the project was priced in a reasonable fashion, let
alone bid in a competitive way to assure a good use of taxpayer dollars……. for so many homeowners, it is too
late to protect themselves from a predatory developer with free rein over their tax money, but HB1363 offers
hope that future homeowners won’t have to suffer. There is so much more reform that needs to happen.
Metro district mill levies should be disclosed on all MLS listings and in sales offices for new developments.
Those serving as quasi- judicial officials for metro districts should not be able to vote if they have a conflict of
interest and the state should require metro districts competitively bid and publicly post all expenditures.
I am not going to be complicate in the metro district game until state level reforms are made.
Emily Francis; the process we have in place is not perfect and doesn’t address all issues with metro districts but
that is why it is important to have any new metro district go through the process.
For presenting to Council, with these more confusing and nuanced items, I think we really need to watch our
reading level of information we present so that our residents can follow along. Not everyone knows about
bonds and metro districts – thinking about the public and their understanding of what we are talking about.
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B. Grocery Tax Rebate Program
Nina Bodenhamer, Director, City Give
Jennifer Poznanovic, Sr. Manager, Sales Tax & Revenue
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Established in 1972, the Grocery Tax Rebate is intended to provide financially insecure residents relief from City
sales tax charged on purchased food. The program was expanded to include residents within the City’s Growth
Management Area in 2017.
Per a 2020 Performance & Program Evaluation, participation in Grocery Tax Rebate would benefit from:
• City-wide Centralization of Administration
• City-wide Coordination of Program Outreach
• Simplified Document and Income Verification
• Increased Alignment with Other City Benefit Programs
CURRENT STATE
In 2021, 1,800 Residents applied and received the Grocery Rebate Tax. 89% of applicants are repeat participants
from the prior year.
• 2022 Annual Benefit: $69 Per Resident
• Eligibility: 50% Area Media Income
In spite of robust community outreach and investments in marketing, the Grocery Tax Rebate has historically
lackluster enrollment.
Outreach and marketing efforts include but are not limited to:
• Spanish-language Translation of Outreach Materials and Application
• Direct mail, Community Promotion and Marketing
o Community-wide Poster Distribution
o Two (2) Ads Per Year, Coloradoan, Op-Ed
• 50+ Community Partners: Distribution of Applications & Promotion
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Council input and the findings of the 2020 Performance & Program Evaluation affirm a commitment to:
• Increase Participation in Income-qualified Programs
• Reduce Barriers to Enrollment
• Realize the Potential of the City’s Investment in Get FoCo
• Embed Best Practices & Resident Input
Adjusting the income eligibility from 50% AMI to 30% AMI would reduce the overall pool of applicants. However,
would the increased ease in income verification result in a higher response rate?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Over the past years, revisions to the Code language which govern the Grocery Tax Rebate have been made to
demonstrate responsiveness to resident input and program design:
• Revision to the Payment Definition to Allow Future Alternatives
• A Shift in Window of Service from Seasonal to Annual
• Adjusted Definition of “Households”
• Removed Federal Income Tax as the Sole Income Verification Source
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Yet, the program continues to represent low participation rates. Four (4) options are presented with the
rationale, risks and benefits of each:
• Option #1: Maintain Grocery Tax Rebate Income Eligibility at 50% AMI
o Outstanding Benefit: An estimated resident pool of 18,000
o Potential Risk: Income Tax Returns serve as the Sole Option for Income Verification: 30% - 50% AMI
• Option #2: Adjust Grocery Tax Rebate Income Eligibility to 30% AMI
o Outstanding Benefit: Applicants Immediately Eligible for other City Benefits: Recreation, Spin Access,
Reduced Cost Internet via Get FoCo
o Potential Risk: A Reduced Participant Pool: 12,000 Eligible Residents
• Option #3: Adjust Grocery Tax Rebate Income Eligibility at 60% AMI
o Outstanding Benefit: Income Verification Piggybacks on State Program
o Potential Risk: Resident Familiarity with Low Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)
• Option #4: Adjust Grocery Tax Rebate Income Eligibility to 80% AMI
o Via Household Addresses Linked to Affordable Housing Properties
o Additional Financial, Technological and Operational Exploration Required
DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS:
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Council input and the findings of the 2020 Performance & Program Evaluation affirm a commitment to:
• Increase Participation in Income-qualified Programs
• Reduce Barriers to Enrollment
• Realize the Potential of the City’s Investment in Get FoCo
• Embed Best Practices & Resident Input
Kelly Ohlson; I do prefer a higher number like 60% AMI. I have lived most of my life in that
demographic so that is kind of a minimal number for me. I don’t think we have put new taxes on food
since the 80’s. Can you confirm?
Travis Storin; yes, that is correct - Restaurant consumption is on the whole amount 3.85%
Kelly Ohlson; we are trying to balance that out - we get quite a bit of revenue from the base – I am
interested in 60%. I don’t follow at all how we are going to verify that
Nina Bodenhamer; the success of the Get FoCo app depends on piggybacking – so we are using federal,
state, or regional benefit programs. A resident who is participating in SNAP has an EBT card. They log
into their account while they are at Get FoCo – take a snapshot of that screen and the verification of
that account tied to the resident verification qualifies them at 30% AMI. With the 60% AMI option,
that is also the standard for LEAP – so someone who qualifies for LEAP would receive a notice from the
Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program - they upload the LEAP confirmation letter they
received via email and when the text reader sees it and they are established at 60%.
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The other option is Income Qualified Assistance Program (IQAP) for Fort Collins Utilities which also uses
LEAP as a 3rd party verification/ qualifier. The LEAP letter opens the door to city benefits.
If they are enrolled in the reduced utility rate program, it is natural for them to enroll for the Grocery
Store Rebate at the same time.
Kelly Ohlson; I am focused at the moment on Option 3. I am curious what staff would recommend.
Nina Bodenhamer; I am excited about the 60% AMI and my reason is for one it was illuminated by your
and Emily’s hard questions at Council. I love the challenge to come back with another pathway. My
operational goal is to make the application process easy for residents and 60% accomplishes that
Increasing the ceiling and making it easy, means we may have many more applicants that the current
budget plans for.
Jen Poznanovic; I would say it really depends on what the Council is looking for - the income tax returns
are a big barrier, and we aren’t seeing as many families participate. Historically, over 80-90% are
repeat applicants, over 50% are 65 and older so typically folks who have more time on their hands and
are used to the process of giving us their tax return as part of the application process.
Kelly Ohlson; if this is the direction a majority of Council approves then it is up to us to prioritize the
budget because we do bring in a lot of money from sales tax on food maybe some of the revenue from
food goes back to those who need it the most.
Travis Storin; when I think about the 18,000 residents who are eligible for today’s program relative to
the 1,800 who participate - we can do a lot better than that (10%). We have really reached our limit on
outreach – we have done everything we can in terms of promotion and awareness of this program, yet
we still see low participation rates. I support the conclusion that the application verification process
itself is creating barriers to participation. The more we can peg our programs to state and regional
programs like LEAP then we are making it easier for our resident and expedites the process
30% AMI is easy street - 31-60% AMI tranches can be tricky but I think Option 3 is viable right out of
the shoot and you can keep Option 4 in mind. Once we see the efficacy at 60% AMI the dollars do start
to grow. It is a humble $100K program today and we want to daylight for Council’s consideration that
it would come at a cost to drive to substantially higher participation. I think we can manage that at 60%
and that would be a good place to monitor to see if we could do 80%.
Emily Francis; when we send a rebate it is city funds, correct.
Nina Bodenhamer, yes
Emily Francis; I don’t understand why we make people prove to us they are low income.
How much does it cost for us to administer this program?
Travis Storin; we have one staff member with a 25-hour part time schedule for 12 months.
$50K range – so relative to the $100K of benefits going out it is costly.
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Nina Bodenhamer; the current benefit is $69 per resident. So, a single parent with 4 children would
receive 5x $69 ($345)
Emily Francis; there are not a lot of people who would game the system for $60.
As a city, we say we want to reduce barriers, yet we are still going to make you prove that you are low
income. It is just counter intuitive to me. If we don’t have state and federal limitations on how we
administer the program, and the funds then why are we putting that on ourselves?
Travis Storin; I assess a different risk around the potential for abuse – they are people who qualify
technically because a business can run on a different tax return, etc. A person can qualify on the
face of the form but can actually be a person who has means. I would worry that by having no
qualification, we would open ourselves up to larger levels of abuse.
Emily Francis; I just doubt that there would be enough abuse that we would need to warrant the staff
time to do this. Which will cost us more, the 20 people who abuse it or having full time staff work on
it. I don’t understand how we say we want to remove barriers and we have complete control of these
programs, yet we are still going to make people prove they are low income. I just think it is something
for us to think about and consider.
My other question is related to the grocery bag waiver – why can’t we just follow the same guidelines
at the register and not charge them sales tax on food.
Nina Bodenhamer; this has come up with our Get FoCo partners as well - we aren’t there yet with the
technology. To address your other question regarding income verification – your philosophical
position is that we may not be there yet as a city, yet it is the same direction we were heading with the
development of Get FoCo. How do we make it easiest for our residents, non-threatening, warm,
responsive, and not a burden in terms of time? So, right now the benefit of the Get FoCo app in its
entirety is that when a resident establishes a need – that is a gateway to a host of other programs not
just the grocery tax rebate. We have the recreation discount which is a gateway to reduced cost
childcare so there is a lot that happens once someone does establish need. The reason we designed
this app was to reduce repetitive proving of income, to reduce the uncomfortable cultural barriers that
we place on residents. We are moving in a positive direction – we have made this easy – if you were
applying for the recreation discount, to apply for the grocery tax rebate program would simply be a
click on a box because your income is already verified. We have this whole section to quick apply
for a list of programs. If I quality for one then I qualify for all - so we are moving in this progression.
In a future world, how else can that designation be used – for example the grocery tax - how do we
create that space where we could eliminate the tax instead of rebating it?
Emily Francis; we spend so much time talking about how we operate to get to our goals – those
processes aren’t necessarily serving us – how do we get to the same end goal but in a different way.
The 4 options are great, but they don’t address the larger issue, the larger policy direction. So, with
the 60% AMI – SNAP is one way but can be a pain to qualify for in the first place. I think it would be
helpful to list all of the ways a person can qualify. During Covid with all the rent assistance,
If you were a case manager for someone you could provide a letter saying someone was being paid in
cash.
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Nina Bodenhamer; right now, in the app, we accept the SNAP EBT card, Women, Infants and Children
(WIC) card, American Connectivity Program formerly Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB), a PSD free
or reduced lunch program letter, LINK the income qualified assistance program in our own utilities
Medicaid – we are warming up to – cards have no expiration date so that represents a separate issue
but is a simple approach, a letter from a provider from county, state, or other benefit programs. And
SPIN (bike and scooter share) community access pass and their verification is at 30% AMI. Their
verification is through their own platform which was created by Code for America.
Emily Francis; we need to think about other verifications that aren’t tied to government.
Nina Bodenhamer; I accept that challenge
Emily Francis; we could do a pilot with the grocery food tax rebate and see how it goes
Kelly Ohlson; that is where I am at -I would be open to what you are suggesting - a pilot using the
grocery store tax rebate- I like to have some recourse to go after the cheaters and eliminate them from
the system.
Nina Bodenhamer; I do think they are some important gates
I would like to leave today with a recommendation for verification. We have a team in place with
rebate. The 60% option still leverages the Get FoCo app. What does the success rate look like when
we just make it easy on applicants? What if we relieved the income verification? How does that
operationalize? I am looking for direction today on a percentage with our idea of 60% AMI
Kelly Ohlson; let’s put this in some type of resolution because players on Council change. Then we have
it in writing with our idea at 60% AMI for a certain time period if we need to go through one full cycle
to evaluate how the system recommended by staff works. Staff could at the same time work on
alternatives for us to consider – that way we don’t waste a year of the new system and then take 9
months – that they happen concurrently – so we consider after we see how this works.
Emily Francis; I think that would be fine – so, 60% AMI and the language that Kelly said.
I appreciate your teams work so much and our language around this is going to be easy – making it
easier for some people- we are forgetting a lot of people who it is not easier for
Nina Bodenhamer; it will be easy for households who know how to navigate public systems, have
internet access. I would like to see us Increase participation in that space.
Susan Gutowsky; reference to the open system - I think with any system there are always folks who will
game it – looking at all of the recovery money that was distributed - lots of money with very little
oversight and lack of accountability. I don’t know how you would spot the people who not playing
fairly unless you have some sort of check, some way of verification. It would make me very
uncomfortable to have an open system and trust everyone to be honest. Once you verify your income,
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it does open doors to other resources – it would benefit the city to have that done and don’t think it
would be a huge burden for those who want to apply. It is human nature across the board.
Travis Storin; summary
• Support for Option 3
• Fashioning this as a pilot and in parallel develop options that expand beyond the federal and state
qualifications up to and including dropping the qualification entirely. We can capture that in the
ordinance language that staff is continuing to study this and is not waiting for a year to start
developing new programs
• Some reference to a timetable -appropriate amount of time to evaluate
Emily Francis; when this comes to Council, can you provide more information about the Medicaid part
and other alternatives?
Kelly Ohlson; are these programs (Medicaid / SNAP for example) permanent? Do federal and state
governments ever take people off these programs?
Nina Bodenhamer; the Medicaid card can be inactive - there is no date on the card, so you don’t know
if the card is active or not. SNAP / EBT – residents can log into their account, and it is an active
account. Medicaid doesn’t have that option.
Emily Francis; income verification for SNAP is done annually
Nina Bodenhamer; we haven’t established what that cadence is yet for Get FoCo
Qualified last year - We can adjust when they were last verified and track when they have been active
and what they have qualified for. LEAP / IQAP – what does that do to our overall cross pollination of
these programs? Get FoCo a gateway to multiple city benefits
C. Capital Projects – Inflationary Impact (All Projects)
Sheena Frève, Senior Analyst, Financial Planning & Analysis
Gerry Paul, Director of Purchasing
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Inflation is currently at historically high levels, with the consumer price index (CPI) increasing by 8.6% from May
2021 to May 2022. Inflation in the construction industry is increasing at even faster pace, rising by 10% to 17%
over the past year. Adding to the problem, the supply chain is experiencing pressure caused by higher costs and
much longer lead times. The impact on the City can be seen in recent requests for supplemental appropriations
for capital projects by Community Services, Planning, Development & Transportation, and Utilities.
The City anticipates continued pressure and has identified projects at risk due to inflation. The expectation is
that most funding shortfalls will be addressed through the 2023/2024 budget process or through changes in
scope, decreased levels of service, or delays impacting implementation and future projects. At the same time,
inflation is offset by higher City revenues through increased sales tax receipts and investment income. Over the
next five years, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will allocate billions of dollars to the state and local
governments in Colorado. This may cause increased pressure on construction costs.
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Some mitigating strategies are available through the competitive procurement process and by selecting the
project delivery method that will result in the best outcomes. However, inflationary headwinds will continue to
limit the City’s ability to control rising construction costs. Staff are planning to establish an inflationary reserve
as part of the 2023/2024 budget submittal.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
• What questions does Council Finance Committee have regarding the impact of inflation on capital projects?
• What questions does Council Finance Committee have regarding methods of procurement and project
delivery?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Inflation has risen by 8.6% from May 2021 to May 2022 according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), the highest
inflation rate since 1981 (Appendix I). Even so, inflation in the construction industry is rising at an even faster
pace. The Engineering News-Record (ENR) construction cost index indicates that road and bridge construction
has risen by 10% since May 2021 while construction on buildings has risen by 17% in the same period (Appendix
II). This is confirmed by the 16% increase shown in the Colorado Construction Cost Index which tracks the costs
of certain elements, such as asphalt and concrete, in projects bid and awarded by the Colorado Department of
Transportation (Appendix III).
Several cost drivers are contributing to the rapid rise of inflation in the construction industry. Fuel is a major
component of construction projects and gas prices have risen by 62% since June 2021 (Appendix IV). Labor costs
as captured in the Employer Cost for Employee Compensation show a 4.8% increase for all civilian workers from
March 2021 to March 2022 and a 6.2% increase for those in construction occupations (Appendix V). Right-of-
Way (ROW) costs can be a major cost driver for projects requiring land or easements. ROW is driven by fair
market value of real estate. Housing costs in Fort Collins have increased by 21% from the first quarter of 2021 to
the first quarter of 2022, driving up the cost of ROW acquisitions (Appendix VI).
Adding to the inflationary pressure and contributing challenges of its own, the supply chain is under increasing
strain. The Global Supply Chain Pressure Index (GSPCI), produced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
tracks the state of the global supply chain using surveys and data from the transportation and manufacturing
sectors, including pricing, delivery times, and backlogs. The GSPCI indicates an historically high level of pressure
on the supply chain and its authors submit that recent trends suggest a stabilization of pressures at these
historically high levels (Appendix VII).
These developments have created challenges for the City’s capital projects, particularly those that were
budgeted during a period of low inflation. Budget offers for the 2022 fiscal year were researched and prepared
beginning in the fall of 2020 until the submission deadline in April 2021. During this period, the ENR construction
cost index indicated inflation was at or below 2%. Construction inflation climbed over 2% beginning in May 2021
as the budget review and approval process began. Projects cannot go out to bid until the budget has been
approved in November. By that time, construction inflation had climbed to near 9%.
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As part of the competitive purchasing process, the City can use a number of cost mitigation techniques, which
are addressed in Attachment 2, to manage costs. However, throughout the procurement process, projects are
subject to market conditions.
Several appropriated projects have come before Council Finance Committee in recent months requiring a
supplemental appropriation due, in part, to inflation and supply chain issues. Those projects are listed below.
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Additional impacts on appropriated projects are expected (Appendix VIII). However, at this time it is anticipated
that most affected projects will be addressed through the 2023/2024 budget process or by reducing the project
scope or delaying other projects.
In the 2023/2024 budget cycle, inflation has created a high level of uncertainty for staff preparing budget offers.
Capital project budget offers significantly impacted by inflation are listed below. Inflation escalators of 6 to 31%
were built into many of these projects along with higher-than-average contingency, ranging from 15 to 25%.
Some budget offers anticipate incorporating scope changes and value engineering to counter funding shortfalls.
Inflation, sometimes compounded by deferred maintenance, has also had an impact on budget offers for asset
management projects (Appendix IX). Many ongoing asset management budget offers are insufficient to meet
City needs. As a result, enhancement offers were submitted to achieve the desired replacement cycles and
levels of service. In some cases, offers anticipate lowering the level of service if additional funds are not
available. For example, the Street Maintenance program is only able to maintain roads every 21 years instead of
every 16 years. Many offers have a 10 to 15% inflation cost escalator built into the project cost. Some offers
have a 10 to 15% contingency on top of current pricing.
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Long lead times for certain equipment have added another layer of volatility to the mix. Some equipment that
previously was available off the shelf with travel time, arriving in a few weeks or a month, may now take thirty-
five to sixty weeks. This is particularly challenging as buildings and equipment approach their end-of-life. On top
of that, specific items, such as HVAC equipment are experiencing price increases of 25% to 300% and traffic
signal pole pricing has increased by 90% this year.
While inflation has created many challenges for the City, it has also provided some offsets in the form of
increased revenues. During times of positive inflation, inflation is always adding to the City’s sales tax receipts.
In other words, as the price of goods rise, total taxable sales rise. Within the past year, as inflation grew by 8.6%,
about $5.5 million was added to the City’s sales tax receipts that can be attributed to inflation, as detailed in the
table below. That $5.5 million is about 4% of the $145.6 million collect from June 2021 through May 2022.
Another way in which inflation increases City revenues is through investment income. While not as immediate
an impact as sales tax receipts, as the Federal Reserve raises interest rates to combat inflation, the rate of return
for the City’s investment portfolio gradually increases as well, as shown in the chart below. The Federal Reserve
has increased the interest rate three times in 2022 as a response to inflation: by 25 basis points on March 17th,
50 basis points on May 5th, and 75 basis points on June 16th. An increase of 50 basis points applied to the City’s
entire portfolio could ultimately result in an additional $3 million annualized. However, rising interest rates do
not impact the City’s entire portfolio immediately, but rather gradually over time.
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The City’s Local Government Investment Pool (LGIP) rate of return responds to rising interest rates relatively
quickly, closely following the market rate for money market deposits. The fixed-income rate of return is slower
to respond and tracks slightly behind the five-year treasury bill, as shown below. About 20% of the City’s
portfolio is in LGIP; 75% is fixed income, divided between agency bonds and corporate bonds; and the balance of
5% is held in cash reserves to address the City’s day-to-day financial needs. Interest rate hikes this year have
contributed to interest income that is 23% higher than budgeted year-to-date.
In the coming year, staff anticipate continued effects from inflation. On the positive side, rising interest rates
may cool the housing market. This could mean that fair market value for right-of-way acquisition may stabilize.
At the same time, as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) rolls out over the next five years, the construction
industry may experience continued pressure due to the influx of federal funds. The BIL provides billions in
funding for road and bridge projects, public transportation, water infrastructure, the electric vehicle network,
environmental remediation, and more. Formula funding available to Colorado and new and expanded
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competitive grant programs are shown in the tables below. With billions more in funding being awarded and
distributed, projects may be bid up as federal funds are awarded to local governments throughout Colorado on
the same timeline.
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DISCUSSION / NEXT STEPS
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
• What questions does Council Finance Committee have regarding the impact of inflation on capital projects?
• What questions does Council Finance Committee have regarding methods of procurement and project
delivery?
Travis Storin; we are suggesting setting aside a General Fund reserve amount to serve as a cushion against
inflation should any of our budget assumption prove to be incorrect - $4M (2%) withhold it from use in the
2023-2024 Budget
Kelly Ohlson; Slide #5 (see below)
I don’t’
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I like the specificity of the construction cost index both vertical and horizontal.
When we bring fees for capital adjustment fees and those relating to roads and building costs.
It doesn’t fee Council has to approve those fees, but we should see fee increases brought forward that closely
correspond to what the market is doing. I don’t believe that has been refined enough in the past to the
detriment of the city organization. It doesn’t mean we pass the full amount of the fees, but we know the fee
increases are based on the best data. We can make other decisions and staff can make other recommendations,
but we need to be comparing apples to apples. Very clear and very concise
Kelly Ohlson; Slide 13 (see above)
What does it mean by ‘current budget? What is the date of current budget?
Travis Storin; theses appropriations are on a non -lapsing basis. Basically, they don’t expire until the project is
completed. I could see us adding a column to this table for ‘year of origination’ because it will vary
Kelly Ohlson; Would the current budget be from that date (date of origination)?
Travis Storin; these are the original amounts plus, any supplemental appropriations that have been done since
then.
Kelly Ohlson; I might need some 1:1 time. In numerous places, it says the Impact of Inflation will be addressed
in 2023-2024 Budget - not if Council has other priorities – it kind of assumes we will do what you recommend.
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Travis Storin; meaning that staff is going to surface a request through the Budget. We are working through
those executive dialogs right now in advance of delivery to Council. That is not a guarantee that staff would
recommend it, let alone Council.
For the Southeast Recreation /Community Center – it says a $15M cost overrun for a $17.4M project
Beyond the 2023-2024 Budget request due in large part to scope changes. We haven’t approved a pool yet,
right?
Travis Storin; no, the pool has not been approved. There is both a Finance Committee discussion and a Work
Session scheduled. The Aquatics program as a dedicated topic is coming to the August 1st CFC and to an August
23rd Work Session. You are seeing very substantial expansion of the design and scope of that facility to the
ballot measure that was approved in 2015.
Kelly Ohlson; the $15M doesn’t mean we are going to go for it. I am assuming that amount does include a pool.
Travis Storin; it does include a pool and it is also predicated upon participation from community partners and
the discussions staff is exploring with the school district and the university.
Kelly Ohlson; Operations Services; Facilities Major/Minor Repair and Replacement - we have always
underfunded this in every budget I have participated in. Some repairs / replacements may be delayed until next
year. At some point, come Council has to get serious about that. We continue to get further behind every year.
Travis Storin; that is a very close reflection of the very conversations we are having as a staff around asset
management this year. Some of the conditions out there are bending and others are breaking. As an overall
general theme, asset management is going to play a huge part in the 2023-24 Budget.
Kelly Ohlson; on the Utilities - they are Enterprise Funds – are we getting major reductions in revenue? Why are
those being affected? Generally, utilities don’t have to take a hit as their revenues are consistent and going up
at 2-4% per year but there seems to be some things listed that are going to be delayed or cut.
Travis Storin; this slide is cost side display around what is currently appropriated by current or previous Councils.
It is expense driven. To your point, utilities has a wider array of options.
Kelly Ohlson; is it inflation?
Lance Smith; so, revenues are strong in Utilities, but this is the cost side on the capital investments. We are
seeing inflation just like the rest of the city. We will spend $1M in water distribution system replacement but
because of inflation, we will get a little less done for that amount of money.
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Kelly Ohlson; Slide 14 (see above)
Are these in the budget that you will be bringing to us in a few months?
Travis Storin; these are offers under consideration for the 2023-224 Budget. The expectation is that for capital
projects, it reflects their best estimate of cost inclusive of the inflationary environment.
We are alerting Council to some of the pressures we are facing. The inflation and the upward pressure that each
of these projects are experiencing and that is baked into the offers essentially drives a higher sticker price than
the offer would otherwise and necessitates other trade-offs. Essentially fewer projects or examining other
ongoing programs because we have a fairly fixed amount of revenue that is assumed in the budget at this point
in time. This is just a flag for your general awareness of a pressure that we are experiencing.
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Kelly Ohlson; Slide 17 (see above) interest income is 23% higher than budgeted year to date. What does that
mean in real dollars?
Sheena Freve; we budgeted $1.4M YTD and we have received $1.7M YTD so it is $300K over budget
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Kelly Ohlson; examples on slide 20 (see above) How often do we go back and evaluate so we know which
process is the best? Do we use a rating system? What did we learn from this? So that we learn which process is
the best. Do we do anything in hindsight?
Gerry Paul; Our engineering group does a really good job of that. Lessons learned after major projects.
I don’t know that we have institutionalized that around the city. A good point to follow- up on.
We don’t have a formal rating system. It is more of a lesson learned approach.
Kelly Ohlson; Slide 21 (see above) Examples listed – those would be good ones to cut off – to develop some kind
of process for the future. I didn’t say that every project we do for the rest of eternity just the projects that make
sense to do.
What lessons did we learn in general?
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Kelly Ohlson; Slide 23 (see above) We have a column titled Design / Build but no slide.
Gerry Paul; I apologize as I did not include it in the presentation. It is in the AIS – we rarely use that method, so
we didn’t include it in the presentation. Under that principal, you have a lot less control of the design.
Emily Francis; for the Aquatic topic, is that just the Southeast Recreation center or aquatics as a whole?
Travis Storin; the item is intended to address only the Southeast Recreation center.
Emily Francis; I am concerned about specifically focusing on one pool instead of looking at the broader picture
when we have a lot of pools to fund. That is a lot of dollars over budget. We need to stop considering it in a
vacuum and look at all – overall aquatics.
We keep delaying maintenance and now we are at an issue with parks. I think we need to stop kicking the can
down the road. We need to start addressing a lot of these issues and stop delaying the projects especially
because they are only getting more expensive. While the city has had increased revenue, our costs are going up.
We need to look at what do we can trim. Operations and maintenance of these things is an essential service to
the city. I think we cannot continue doing this and look at what things do we need to stop doing in order to
provide essential services. I am not sure how we measure success in our programs. I know we have our
Strategic Plan and some metrics. I am not sure how accurate and helpful those metrics are and whether they
actually tell a story of what success for the city is. How we cut things that don’t serve us anymore.
Travis Storin; we do rely heavily on our measurements both the ones in the Strategic Plan as well as our
Strategic Maps underneath the Strategic Plan with some 400 different measurements. If a given program is not
meeting the desired outcome – we ought to consider that program and whether it continues to exist.
Historically we have not done a great job with a ‘stop doing ‘list. We need to have an earnest stop doing list In
the face of cost pressures.
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Emily Francis; with over 400 indicators you can link any project to anything – when you look at the picture of
what is success – What are the core goals the city is trying to advance and how is our programming achieving
that? I think we have a lot of data, but I am not sure how we are using that to advance – we need a stop doing
list – things are changing – probably a bigger discussion
Kelly Ohlson; we create an evaluation process not only for individual projects (some number per year). We
don’t have that many Lemay Vine overpasses type projects. Then micro to that, I would like senior management
to evaluate - maybe one design build is working much better than the other, so it is not just what one
department likes or is comfortable with. There is so much interesting, good, and well-presented information in
this. Could at least the slides be sent to out to the whole Council?
Travis Storin; this entire packet goes out in the Thursday Council packet. It may a decent idea, if Kelly DiMartino
agrees to call it out in Monday’s Leadership Planning Team minutes and just point people to the slide numbers
you are referring to – we could also include them in some of the presentation materials when the budget is
delivered to Council.
OTHER BUSIESS;
Travis Storin; One other business item for your consideration. Last week when we shared the budget preview,
one of the slides was Revisions to our Utilities Rate Increases. Those are due to come forward for adoption in
November. I wanted to extend the opportunity to the committee if you would like to spend any agenda time
on that this fall (October or November timeframe).
Emily Francis; they are rather high
Travis Storin; yes, all four utilities did go up and most predominately in L&P on the wholesale purchase power
Agreement with PRPA. The wet utilities are also going up versus what we previously communicated to you.
Kelly Ohlson; yes, Council Finance can ask all of the tough questions.
Emily Francis; have the rates changed since our last presentation?
Lance Smith; it has changed because of this inflation - much of what is being supported by those rate increases
is not ongoing operational costs but it is anticipated capital projects, so this inflation is driving the higher rate
increases.
Travis Storin; I believe we talked about this in December for what we were projecting in the Long-Term Utility
Capital Plan and so we have done a June update to projected increases for 2023-24. That is what I wanted to
alert you to
Emily Francis; I think it would be helpful to add it over time
Meeting Adjourned at 6:15 pm
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COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Staff: Seve Ghose, Director, Community Services Area
LeAnn Williams, Director, Recreation Department
Date: July 25, 2022
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION: Aquatics System and Southeast Community Center
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this work session is to provide updates since the March 22, 2022 council work session
item on the aquatics system, initiated from discussion on potential spending at Mulberry Pool and
direction for the Southeast Community and Innovation Center.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Staff is seeking feedback from Councilmembers on the following options related to the proposed
Southeast Community Center and overall aquatics:
• OPTION #1: Build the Southeast Community Center with only the core amenities required to
meet the ballot language. This configuration would require an outdoor leisure pool and innovation
piece and be located at Fossil Creek Park. This option does not require any partnerships.
• OPTION #2: Meet the ballot language for the Southeast Community Center and address most
significant overall aquatics systems needs with the addition of indoor leisure aquatics and 10
indoor lap lanes. This option requires partnerships with Poudre School District and Poudre River
Public Library District to be feasible.
• OPTION #3: Meet the ballot language for the Southeast Community Center, address the most
significant overall aquatics and recreation systems needs with the addition of indoor leisure
aquatics,10 indoor lap lanes, and a full-service community recreation center. This option requires
partnerships with Poudre School District and Poudre River Public Library District to be feasible.
Staff is also seeking feedback on the direction to continue to pursue a partnership with PSD for the
potential use of land adjacent to Fossil Ridge High School.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In 2015, voters approved a Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) which included adding a
Southeast Community Center with outdoor pool. The item outlined the Community Center would be
focused on innovation, technology, art, recreation, and the creative process. The center was projected to
require $14M of CCIP funding for construction and include a large outdoor leisure pool with water slides,
sprays and jets, decks, a lazy river, and open swimming area. Operations and maintenance costs of
$230K per year for 5 years was also estimated in the ballot item.
This facility will be run and programmed by recreation staff and add to the existing recreation aquatics
offerings across the City. The current aquatics system in Fort Collins features four facilities and is
geographically concentrated in the Northern region of Fort Collins, with no facilities south of Drake, as
illustrated in the following map:
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Regarding amenities, the existing system includes: Mulberry
Pool
Senior
Center Pool
City Park
Pool
Edora Pool
Lap Lanes
Family Aquatics
Therapy pool or programs
Competitive Aquatics
Center
50M Lanes
Instructional Programs
Indoor Pool
Outdoor Pool
In early 2022, staff worked with a consultant, Counsilman-Hunsaker, to study the existing aquatics system
and presented findings at the March 22, 2022 council work session meeting. Key findings included:
1. Need for aquatic amenities in the southeast quadrant of the city
2. Need for additional training (lap) lanes, 6 at current population and 8 based on 2025
projected population
3. Need for additional recreation water
4. Leverage the existing user group relationships to support the additional facilities and
amenities
5. Additional investment in Mulberry pool not recommended
Based on feedback received during the work session item staff has continued to explore a “fair share”
approach to the aquatics system, and options to leverage existing user group relationships to support
additional facilities and amenities. Staff has identified potential opportunities to partner with Poudre
School District and Poudre River Public Library District, which would enhance the level of amenities that
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could be provided at the community center and address community needs beyond the base ballot
language. Potential pathways to move forward could include:
1. Build the Southeast Community Center with only the core amenities required to meet the ballot
language.
• This configuration would require an outdoor leisure pool and innovation piece and be
located at Fossil Creek Park.
• This option does not require any partnerships.
• Estimated project budget cost is $13.35M+
• Estimated operation costs are $1M/year with cost recovery from programming of 40%
2. Meet the ballot language for the Southeast Community Center and address most significant
overall aquatics systems gaps
• This option would add indoor leisure aquatics and 10 indoor lap lanes in addition to
meeting the ballot language.
• This option requires partnerships with Poudre School District and Poudre River Public
Library District to be feasible.
• Estimated construction costs are $42.95M+
• Estimated operation costs are $1.7M/year with cost recovery from programming of 47%
3. Meet the ballot language for the Southeast Community Center, address the most significant
overall aquatics system gaps, and build a full service recreation facility
• This configuration would add indoor leisure aquatics, 8-10 indoor lap lanes, and a full-
service community recreation center in addition to the ballot language.
• This option requires partnerships with Poudre School District and Poudre River Public
Library District to be feasible.
• Estimated construction costs are $56.6M+
• Estimated operation costs are $1.7M/year with cost recovery from programming of 77%
Exact configurations of amenities could be further refined and configured to target specific needs;
however, these options represent the tiers of facility which are under consideration. Additional
components for consideration include adjusting the number of gymnasiums, weight and fitness rooms,
wet classrooms, preschool rooms, and adding outdoor lap lanes or indoor turf.
The City currently owns land at Fossil Creek Park that could be used as a site for the location. A potential
partnership with Poudre School District for land and aquatics could expand opportunities for the location
of the facility. Partnership with the Poudre River Public Library District would expand ability for the facility
to achieve the ballot language focus of innovation, technology, art, recreation, and the creative process.
NEXT STEPS
Staff will bring an aquatics item to the August 23, 2022 council work session meeting.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. PowerPoint Presentation (PDF)
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Aquatics Update –Southeast Community Recreation and
Innovation Center and Aquatics Build-out
08/01/2022
Seve Ghose, Community Services Director
LeAnn Williams, Director, Recreation
Victoria Shaw, Manager, FP&A Community ServicesPage 35 of 149
Strategic Alignment
Culture and Recreation:
•2.4. Maintain and
enhance the current
culture, recreation and
parks systems
•2.5. Plan, design and
implement citywide park,
recreation and trail
improvements.
Actions Identified in Plan:
•Provide recreational
amenities according to
level of service standards
•Ensure facilities and
programs continue to
respond to changing user
needs
Enhancement Offer:
•34.2 Mulberry Pool
Enhancement Offer:
•43.18 CCIP Fund
•43.21 CCIP O&M
Strategic Plan Parks & Recreation Master
Plan Budget
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3Direction Sought
•What feedback do council finance committee members have on
the potential options for amenities at the SE community center?
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Agenda 4
•Current Aquatic and Recreation Facility Operations
•Aquatic Study and Council Work Session Recap
•Aquatic Build-out Recommendation
•Mulberry Pool
•Southeast Facility
•Southeast Community Recreation & Innovation Center
Page 38 of 149
Overview of Existing Aquatic Facilities 5
Our 10 existing facilities offer a mix
of amenities and programming but
are concentrated in the northern
half of the City. *The senior center
is open to only adults 18 and over.
potential sites of SE
facility
Page 39 of 149
Map of Existing Aquatic Facilities 6
Our existing aquatic
facilities are concentrated
in the northern half of the
City and don’t meet the
demand of residents for
both indoor/outdoor
leisure and
indoor/outdoor lap lanes.
*The senior center pool is
open only to adults 18
and over.
potential sites of SE
facility
Page 40 of 149
7Aquatic Study Findings Recap
Need for aquatic amenities in the southeast quadrant of the city
Need for 6-8 additional training (lap) lanes
Need for additional recreation water
Opportunity for partnership to meet community need
Page 41 of 149
8Feedback from Council work session 3/22/22
Fair Share Approach
Leverage the existing user group relationships to support additional facilities and amenities
Additional investment in Mulberry pool not suggested
Page 42 of 149
9Staff Recommendation
Fair Share Approach
Leverage the existing user group relationships to support additional facilities and amenities
Additional investment in Mulberry pool not suggested
Partner with Poudre School District and Poudre River Library District to build Southeast Community Recreation & Innovation Center
Pursue partnership with CSU for potential Mulberry replacement
Replace Mulberry Pool with indoor training and leisure aquatics
Consider future capital tax or when partnership opportunity with CSU presents itself in alignment with City need.
Staff Recommendation
Feedback from Council Work Session
Page 43 of 149
10Aquatic Build-out Staff Recommendation
Need for aquatic amenities in the southeast quadrant of the city
Need for 6-8 additional training (lap) lanes
Need for additional recreation water
Opportunity for partnership to meet community need
Southeast Community Recreation & Innovation Center (SCRIC) –ensure it has ballot-required outdoor leisure. Add both indoor training lanes and indoor leisure aquatics.
Build 10 training lanes at SCRIC
Replace Mulberry Pool with new indoor training lanes
Build indoor & outdoor leisure/recreation water at SCRIC
Replace Mulberry Pool with indoor recreation/leisure aquatics
Partner with Poudre School District and Poudre River Library District to build SCRIC.
Pursue partnership with CSU for potential Mulberry replacement
Aquatic Study Findings Recap
Staff Recommendation
Page 44 of 149
11Mulberry Pool
Current Operations
•Operating at limited hours due to staffing shortages with
Customer Service Reps/Clerical Aides
•BFO Offer to replace current HVAC to keep Mulberry
operational for next 5+ years -$500K
Staff Recommendations
•Move forward with BFO offer to keep Mulberry operational
•Consider future capital tax or when partnership opportunity
with CSU presents itself in alignment with City need.
•~$30-40 Million total cost; carve-out w/in CCIP
•Indoor leisure
•Indoor lap lanes
•Possibly add outdoor lap lanes and leisure –
community input needed Page 45 of 149
12Southeast Facility Capital and Operations
Capital Funding Options
43.18 CCIP Fund
•2023-2024 BFO offer:15 Million
Other potential funding
•11 Million CCIP Interest + Sales Tax Surplus
•Bond/COP
Facility Capital Cost
$15M -$54M
Depends upon scope of facility
Operations and Maintenance Funding
2023-2024 BFO offers and beyond
Ops Services
2024: 1 FTE Aquatic Tech
2025: ~$550,000
Recreation -43.21 CCIP O&M
2024: $758,170
2025: $1,029,932
Page 46 of 149
General Fund Subsidy/O&M 13
•General Fund Subsidy is very conservative
•Revenue projections conservative –based upon fees
and rental prices today
•Fees and partner cost share will offset O&M to City
•Will increase cost recovery
•Will reduce general fund subsidy
•2024-2028 –CCIP O&M funding will reduce general
fund O&M ask by $230,000 each year
•Full O&M 2029 and beyond
•Current O&M Recreation BFO offer is based upon
largest facility (option 6)
Page 47 of 149
Land Considerations for Southeast Facility 14
Fossil Creek Park
•Identified in 2013 feasibility study
•Small footprint for a one-story facility
•Parking lot expansion
•Could support base project and possibly a larger facility
•No opportunity for partners at this site
•Land has been identified as ideal for a pickleball complex
Land adjacent to Fossil Ridge High School
•Identified in 2013 feasibility study as best option
•Large acreage
•Could support large and/or co-located facilities
•Requires partnership with Poudre School District
•City staff preferred site
•Opportunity to co-locate with Poudre River Library District
Page 48 of 149
Option 1: Base Project
Base Ballot Defined Project
Program and Cost Summary
Community Activity/Innovation Center
$4,750,000
Base Support
Creation Space
Multi-activity Gymnasium (half of a MS gym)
Outdoor Pool Complex $7,500,000
Outdoor Leisure Pool
Poolhouse
Site Costs $1,100,000
Total Project Budget
$13,350,000
Outdoor Leisure Pool
4,500 sf of water area
Poolhouse
2,850 sf
Annual Operating Expenses $988,394
Annual Projected Revenue $394,689
Difference (GF Subsidy) ($593,389)
Cost Recovery 40% (Direct & Indirect)
Base
Support
2,230 sf
Creation
Space
2,660 sf
Recreation Space
3,590 sf
This option does not address
the gaps identified in the
aquatics study.Page 49 of 149
Option 2: Base Project +
Recreational Gymnasium + Outdoor Pool Complex
Program and Cost Summary
Recreational Gymnasium
Base Support
Multi-Activity Gym
Activity Center Building $12,530,000
Outdoor Pool Complex $7,500,000
Site Costs $1,370,000
Total Project Budget $21,400,000
Annual Operating Expenses $1,011,643
Annual Projected Revenue $545,829
Difference (GF Subsidy) ($465,814)
Cost Recovery 54% (Direct & Indirect)
Base
Support
2,230 sf
2-court
Multi-Activity Gym
16,620 sf
Poolhouse
2,850 sf
Outdoor Leisure Pool
4,500 sf of water area
This option does not address the
gaps identified in the aquatics
study.Page 50 of 149
Option 3: Indoor Aquatic Center
Indoor & Outdoor Aquatic Center Program and Cost Summary
Base Building Support $4,500,000
Indoor Aquatic Center
Indoor Leisure Pool $13,850,000
Indoor 10-lane 25 yd Lap Pool $15,700,000
Outdoor Aquatic Center $6,100,000
Outdoor Leisure Pool
Site Costs $2,800,000
Total Project Budget $42,950,000
Outdoor Leisure Pool
4,500 sf of water area
Indoor Leisure Pool
13,500 sf
3,500 sf of water area
Indoor Lap Pool
10-lane 25 yard
12,620 sf
4,500 sf of water area
Aquatic
Support
6,350 sf
Aquatic
Mech
Annual Operating Expenses $1,709,898
Annual Projected Revenue $809,619
Difference (GF Subsidy)($900,279)
Cost Recovery 47% (Direct & Indirect)Page 51 of 149
Option 4: Indoor Rec & Aquatic Center
Community Activity Center + Aquatics Center
Community
Recreation Center
Outdoor Leisure Pool
Indoor Leisure Pool
Indoor Lap Pool
10-lane 25 yard
Aquatic
Support
Aquatic
Mech
Annual Operating Expenses $1,890,011
Annual Projected Revenue $1,453,172
Difference GF Subsidy ($436,839)
Cost Recovery 77% (Direct & Indirect)
Program and Cost Summary
Community Recreation Center $17,550,000
Indoor Aquatic Center
Indoor Leisure Pool $13,850,000
Indoor 10-lane 25 yd Lap Pool $15,700,000
Outdoor Aquatic Center $6,500,000
(without poolhouse)
Site Costs $3,000,000
Total Project Budget $56,600,000
Indoor Leisure Pool
13,500 sf
3,500 sf of water area
Indoor Lap Pool
10-lane 25 yard
12,620 sf
4,500 sf of water area
Aquatic
Support
4,500 sf
Aquatic
Mech
Page 52 of 149
Option 5: Indoor Rec & Aquatic Center
Community Activity Center + Aquatics Center
Community
Recreation Center
Outdoor Leisure Pool
Indoor Leisure Pool
Indoor Lap Pool
10-lane 25 yard
Aquatic
Support
Aquatic
Mech
Annual Operating Expenses $1,890,011
Annual Projected Revenue $1,453,172
Difference GF Subsidy ($436,839) Cost
Recovery 77% (Direct & Indirect)
Program and Cost Summary
Community Recreation Center $17,550,000
Indoor Aquatic Center
Indoor Leisure Pool $13,850,000
Indoor 10-lane 25 yd Lap Pool $15,700,000
Outdoor Aquatic Center $6,500,000
(without poolhouse)
Site Costs (shared with PRLD)$3,000,000
Branch Library (PRLD pays)18,750,000
*Total Project Budget $75,350,000
Indoor Leisure Pool
13,500 sf
3,500 sf of water area
Indoor Lap Pool
10-lane 25 yard
12,620 sf
4,500 sf of water area
Aquatic
Support
4,500 sf
Aquatic
Mech
Branch Library
30,000 sf
**Will see some operational savings with Library share*City Cost approximately $55,000,000Page 53 of 149
Options for Council Finance Committee 20
•Ballot Language only
• Includes:
•Outdoor leisure aquatics
• Innovation piece
No partnership with PSD or
PRLD
Would have to be built at
Fossil Creek Park
•Ballot Language +
•Indoor leisure aquatics and 10
lap lanes (PSD partnership)
•Library (partner with PRLD)
•PSD partnership for land and
aquatics
•Phase in community recreation
center
•Ballot Language +
•Indoor leisure aquatics and
8-10 lap lanes (PSD
partnership)
•Library (partner with PRLD)
•Community Recreation
Center
Ballot Language Ballot Language + Partners +
Address Aquatic Gaps
Ballot Language + Partners +
Community Recreation Center
Options to consider
Page 54 of 149
21Direction Sought
•What feedback do council finance committee members have on
the potential options for amenities at the SE community center?
•What feedback do council finance committee members have on
continuing to pursue a potential partnership with PSD and PRLD?
Page 55 of 149
Page 56 of 149
COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Staff: Blaine Dunn, Accounting Director
Randy Bailey, Controller
Chris Telli, CPA, FORVIS LLP
Haley King, CPA, FORVIS LLP
Date: August 1, 2021
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Independent Auditors’ Report on 2021 Financial Statements
Independent Auditors’ Report on Compliance for Major Federal Programs
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FORVIS will be presenting an overview of the Report to Council. This report covers the audit of
the basic financial statements and compliance of the City of Fort Collins for year-end December
31, 2021.
NOTE: The Annual Comprehensive Financial Report has been sent to the printer, but the
printing has not yet been completed. We will get hard copies distributed as soon as they are
available, for those requesting one. A copy of the report can be found online here:
https://www.fcgov.com/finance/files/2021_City_of_Fort_Collins_ACFR_GAGAS.pdf
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
Staff seeks input on areas of priority or concern, other than those established in this Report to the
City Council, for matters of recordkeeping and/or the City’s internal control environment.
Otherwise, there are no specific questions to be answered as this is a 2021 year-end report.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In compliance with Government Auditing Standards, the City undergoes an independent external
audit on an annual basis. FORVIS finalized its financial statement audit and compliance report
on June 29, 2022, and the firm is required to report the results of the audit to those charged with
governance.
Attachment 2 to this agenda item contains the full report, findings of note are summarized below:
Other Findings (Attachment 2, pages 5-6):
Other findings/deficiencies identified by the auditors but not rising to the level of a significant
deficiency can be found in the Report to the City Council. Staff will provide a written response
to the audit findings at a fourth quarter Council Finance Committee meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
1. PowerPoint Presentation
2. Report to the City Council
3. Single Audit Compliance Report
Page 57 of 149
CITY OF FORT COLLINSPresentation to the Council Finance CommitteeChristopher J. Telli, CPA Anna Thigpen, CPAHaley King, CPAPage 58 of 149
FORVIS TeamChristopher J. Telli, CPA PartnerAnna Thigpen, CPA DirectorHaley King, CPA Senior Associate2Page 59 of 149
•Financial Statement Audit Under GAGAS•Single Audit under Uniform Guidance• Federal Transit Cluster• Coronavirus Relief Fund3ScopePage 60 of 149
Change in format of Opinions• Opinion(s) are now listed first• Expanded description of• Responsibilities of management• Auditor responsibilities with clear statement of auditor’s communication requirements• States requirements for both management and auditor in considering going concernFinancial Statement OpinionIn our opinion, the accompanying financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, the discretely presented component unit, each major fund, and the aggregate remaining fund information of the City as of December 31, 2021, and the respective changes in financial position, and, where applicable, cash flows thereof and the respective budgetary comparisons for the General Fund (Consolidated), the Transportation Services Fund, and the Urban Renewal Authority Fund (Consolidated) for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.4Page 61 of 149
Responsibilities under US Generally Accepted Auditing Standards (GAAS)(Includes Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards)Auditors are Responsible for (in accordance with GAAS):• Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism• Identifyand assess risks of material misstatement ofthe financial statements and design and perform furtheraudit procedures responsive to those risks• Obtain an understanding of internal controls in order to design appropriate audit procedures, but not for the purpose of providing an opinion of internal controls• Evaluate appropriateness of accounting policiesused and reasonableness of significant accountingestimates made by management as well as overall presentation in the financial statements• Conclude whether in our judgment, there areconditions or events, considered in theaggregatethat raise substantial doubt about the City’s ability tocontinue as a going concern for 12 months beyond the financial statement date• Communication to those charged with governanceregarding planned scope and timing of theaudit,significant audit findings, and certain internalcontrol-related matters identified during the auditManagement is Responsible for:• Preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements• Design, implementation and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements• Evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate that raise substantial doubt about the City’s ability to continue as a going concern for 12 months beyondthe financial statement date5Page 62 of 149
Auditor Responsibilities (in accordance with Uniform Guidance)Responsibilities under Uniform GuidanceExercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the auditExercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the auditIdentify and assess the risks of material noncompliance, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the City’s compliance requirements referred to above and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstancesObtain an understanding of the City’s internal control over compliance relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances and to test and report on internal control over compliance in accordance with the Uniform GuidanceCommunication with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in internal control over compliance that we identified during the audit6Page 63 of 149
•Adeficiencyin internal control exists when the design or operation of a controldoes not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performingtheir assigned functions, to prevent or detect and correct misstatements on atimely basis.•Asignificant deficiencyis a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internalcontrol that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough tomerit attention by those charged with governance.•Amaterial weakness isa deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internalcontrol, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatementof the City’s financial statements willnot be prevented or detected and correctedon a timely basis.• We observed the following matters that we consider to bedeficiencies.Internal Control Over Financial Reporting7Page 64 of 149
Deficiencies reported in 2021-Proposed Audit Adjustments• Deficiency: Additional year-end accruals and the reversal of an accrual that was inadvertently recorded twice. Net adjustment of $2 million. Management elected to record this entry.• Reclassification of revenue to deferred inflows as receipt was not received within 60 days ofyear-end: $251,000 proposed audit adjustment in the General Fund for which management elected not to record and a $567,000 proposed audit adjustment in the Capital Projects Fund which management elected to record.• Recommendation: We recommend the City create an account structure to facilitate the separateidentification of grants-related accounts. The creation of these accounts should facilitate theidentification of certain items not received within the availability period.• Retainage payable• Deficiency: The retainage payable amount included in the Net Investment in Capital Assets (NICA) calculation was decreasing total NICA when it should have been increasing NICA. Management elected to post an adjustment in the amount for approximately $7.5M.• Recommendation: The City should ensure that all required components are appropriately included in the NICA calculation.Internal Control Over Financial Reporting8• Proposed entries to grants receivable includedPage 65 of 149
Deficiencies reported in 2021-Proposed Audit Adjustments• Capital Assets• Deficiency: During testing of capital asset additions, we identified instances in which items wereerroneously recorded capital asset additions, including:• Water rights erroneouslyrecorded twice for $675,000• Operating expenses under theShuttered VenueOperators Grant(SVOG) were erroneously recorded as construction in process$504,000• Recommendation: Capital asset policies and procedures should be followed toensure that additions are appropriate and represent a capitalizable costInternal Control Over Financial Reporting9Page 66 of 149
Deficiencies reported in 2021• Escrow Account Reconciliations• Deficiency: The City continues to review and reconcile various escrow accounts andwhile some progress was made towards reconciling long-outstanding items, due tostaffing restraints the City was unable to fully reconcile these accounts.• Recommendation: The City should ensure escrow accounts are properly reconciled andadjusted, as necessary, and maintain appropriate documentation of the reconciliationprocess and determinationto adjust escrow accounts.• Purchasing Card Policies• Deficiency: During the 2020 audit we identified certain processes within the purchasingcard policies and procedures were not being completed such as randomaudits.• Recommendation: An evaluation as to theimportance of the random audits and possiblerevision to the purchasing card policies and procedures has not been performed, andtherefore we again recommend a review of purchasing card policies and procedures.Purchasing cards are an area of higher fraud risk and controls should be strengthened tomitigate inherent risks with purchasing cards. Adequate policies and procedures are animportant part of these controls.Internal Control Over Financial Reporting10Page 67 of 149
Deficiencies reported in 2021• Grants Account Structure11Internal Control Over Financial Reporting• Deficiency: The City does not currently utilize an account structure thatallows for separate identification of different classifications of accountsreceivable such as trade accounts receivable and grants receivable, andrelated deferred inflows. This also creates a risk of not being able toproperly identify federal expenditures on the Schedule of Expenditures ofFederal Awards (SEFA)• Recommendation: The City should create an account structure to facilitatethe separate identification of grants-related accounts. The creation of theseaccounts should facilitate the identification of certain items not receivedwithin the availability periodPage 68 of 149
Deficiencies reported in 2021• Information Technology• Deficiency: A periodic review of users with remote access should be completedperiodically and documented to provide management with the opportunity toverify ongoing need, and to remove access for terminated users that were nototherwise caught in the normal terminationprocess. A periodic review has not beenperformed for a number of years.• Recommendation: The City should ensure periodic user access reviews are performed.• Deficiency: There is no formal change management policy for in-house applicationdevelopment.• Recommendation: The City should adopt and document a change managementpolicy to provide a uniform process that aides in preventing unauthorized oruntested changes, updates, or patchesbeing applied to production systems.Internal Control Over Financial Reporting12Page 69 of 149
Internal Control Over Financial ReportingDeficiencies reported in 2021• Single Audit13• Deficiency: During testing of the Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), we identified theCity passed funds through to a subrecipient with a different year-end than the City.The subrecipient’s single audit report was not available until after the City’s year-end and had not been reviewed by the City. While no findings were issued to thesubrecipient in their single audit report, the City is responsible for ensuring that entities subject to a single audit have complied with the single audit requirements. In addition, we noted the subrecipient improperly excluded the City’s pass-throughfunds on their SEFA.• Recommendation: The City should ensure their subrecipient monitoringpolicies are sufficient to ensure subrecipient audits with a different FYE than theCity are appropriately and timely reviewed.Page 70 of 149
Questions?Page 71 of 149
Thank you!Christopher J. Telli, CPA//Partner // chris.telli@FORVIS.com//303.861.4545 Anna Thigpen, CPA//Director // anna.thigpen@FORVIS.com//303.861.4545 Haley King, CPA//Senior Associate // haley.king@FORIVS.com // 303.861.4545Page 72 of 149
Honorable Mayor and Members of
City Council and City Manager
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
Fort Collins, Colorado
As part of our audits of the financial statements and compliance of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado (the
City) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, we wish to communicate the following to you.
AUDIT SCOPE AND RESULTS
Auditor’s Responsibility Under Auditing Standards Generally Accepted in the United
States of America and the Standards Applicable to Financial Audits Contained in
Government Auditing Standards Issued by the Comptroller General of the United States
and U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements
for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance)
An audit performed in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States and U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Uniform Guidance is designed to obtain reasonable, rather than absolute, assurance about the financial
statements and about whether noncompliance with the types of compliance requirements described in the
OMB Compliance Supplement that could have a direct and material effect on a major federal program
occurred. In performing auditing procedures, we establish scopes of audit tests in relation to the financial
statements taken as a whole. Our engagement does not include a detailed audit of every transaction. Our
contract more specifically describes our responsibilities.
These standards require communication of significant matters related to the financial statement and
compliance audits that are relevant to the responsibilities of those charged with governance in overseeing
the financial reporting process. Such matters are communicated in the remainder of this letter or have
previously been communicated during other phases of the audit. The standards do not require the auditor
to design procedures for the purpose of identifying other matters to be communicated with those charged
with governance.
Audits of the financial statements and compliance do not relieve management or those charged with
governance of their responsibilities. Our contract more specifically describes your responsibilities.
Qualitative Aspects of Significant Accounting Policies and Practices
Significant Accounting Policies
The City’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 of the audited financial statements.
Page 73 of 149
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
July 25, 2022
Page 2
Alternative Accounting Treatments
We had discussions with management regarding alternative accounting treatments within accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America for policies and practices for material items,
including recognition, measurement, and disclosure considerations related to the accounting for specific
transactions as well as general accounting policies, as follows:
Modified approach for infrastructure – City streets
Management Judgments and Accounting Estimates
Accounting estimates are an integral part of financial statement preparation by management, based on its
judgments. The following areas involve significant estimates for which we are prepared to discuss
management’s estimation process and our procedures for testing the reasonableness of those estimates:
Self-insurance reserves (IBNR)
Net pension liability
Fair value of investments
Allowances for accounts, grants and notes receivable
Depreciable lives of capital assets
Significant Unusual Transactions
No matters are reportable
Financial Statement Disclosures
The following areas involve particularly sensitive financial statement disclosures for which we are prepared
to discuss the issues involved and related judgments made in formulating those disclosures:
Revenue recognition
Investments
Long-term debt
Audit Adjustments
During the course of any audit, an auditor may propose adjustments to financial statement amounts.
Management evaluates our proposals and records those adjustments which, in its judgment, are required
to prevent the financial statements from being materially misstated. A misstatement is a difference between
the amount, classification, presentation, or disclosure of a reported financial statement item and that which
is required for the item to be presented fairly in accordance with the applicable financial reporting
framework. Some adjustments proposed were not recorded because their aggregate effect is not currently
material; however, they involve areas in which adjustments in the future could be material, individually or
in the aggregate.
Areas in which adjustments were proposed include:
Grants receivable entries totaling approximately $3.5 million to adjust for the following:
Additional year-end accruals
Reversal of an accrual recorded in error twice
Reclassification of revenue to deferred inflows as receipt was not received within 60 days of
year-end
Page 74 of 149
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
July 25, 2022
Page 3
Adjustment to retainage payable amounts within the Net Investment in Capital Assets calculation
to properly reflect the retainage payable liability
Proposed Audit Adjustments Not Recorded
Attached is a summary of uncorrected misstatements we aggregated during the current
engagement and pertaining to the latest period presented that were determined by management
to be immaterial, both individually and in the aggregate, but more than trivial to the financial
statements as a whole
We would like to call your attention to the fact that although these uncorrected misstatements,
individually and in the aggregate, were deemed to be immaterial to the current year financial
statements, it is possible that the impact these uncorrected misstatements, or matters underlying
these uncorrected misstatements, could potentially cause future-period financial statements to be
materially misstated
Auditor’s Judgments About the Quality of the City’s Accounting Principles
During the course of the audit, we made the following observations regarding the City’s application of
accounting principles:
No matters are reportable
Disagreements with Management
The following matters involved disagreements which if not satisfactorily resolved would have caused a
modified auditor’s opinion on the financial statements:
No matters are reportable
Consultation with Other Accountants
During our audit, we became aware that management had consulted with other accountants about the
following auditing or accounting matters:
No matters are reportable
Significant Issues Discussed with Management
Prior to Retention
During our discussion with management prior to our engagement, the following issues regarding application
of accounting principles or auditing standards were discussed:
No matters are reportable
During the Audit Process
During the audit process, the following issues were discussed or were the subject of correspondence with
management:
No matters are reportable
Page 75 of 149
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
July 25, 2022
Page 4
Difficulties Encountered in Performing the Audit
Our audit requires cooperative effort between management and the audit team. During our audit, we found
significant difficulties in working effectively on the following matters:
No matters are reportable
Other Material Communications
Listed below are other material communications between management and us related to the audit:
Management representation letter (attached)
We orally communicated to management other deficiencies in internal control identified during our
audit that are not considered material weaknesses or significant deficiencies
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements of the City of Fort Collins, Colorado (the
City) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States of America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in
Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, we considered
the City’s internal control over financial reporting (internal control) as a basis for designing our audit
procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinion on the financial statements, but not for the purpose
of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the City’s internal control. Accordingly, we do not express
an opinion on the effectiveness of the City’s internal control.
Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described in the preceding paragraph and
was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material weaknesses or
significant deficiencies and, therefore, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies may exist that were
not identified.
A deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in
the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent or detect and correct misstatements
on a timely basis.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control, such that there is
a reasonable possibility that material misstatements of the City’s financial statements will not be prevented
or detected and corrected on a timely basis.
A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control that is less severe
than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.
We observed the following matters that we consider to be deficiencies.
Deficiencies
We observed other matters that we consider to be deficiencies that we communicated to management
orally.
Page 76 of 149
City of Fort Collins, Colorado
July 25, 2022
Page 5
Grants Receivable and Grants Account Structure
During grants receivable testing, we identified instances in which receipts were received later than the
availability period of 60 days and were not reclassified from revenue to deferred inflows. In addition, the
City does not currently utilize an account structure that allows for separate identification of different
classifications of accounts receivable such as trade accounts receivable and grants receivable, and related
deferred inflows. This also creates a risk of not being able to properly identify federal expenditures on the
Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA). An audit adjustment of approximately $2 million was
identified during our testing of the SEFA.
We recommend the City create an account structure to facilitate the separate identification of grants-related
accounts. The creation of these accounts should facilitate the identification of certain items not received
within the availability period.
Capital Assets
During testing of capital asset additions, we identified numerous errors of items erroneously recorded as
capital asset additions, including:
Water rights were erroneously recorded twice
Operating expenses under the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant were erroneously recorded as
construction in process
We recommend capital asset policies and procedures be followed to ensure that additions are appropriate
and represent a capitalizable cost.
Escrow Account Reconciliations
The City continues to review and reconcile various escrow accounts and while some progress was made
towards reconciling long-outstanding items, due to staffing restraints the City was unable to fully reconcile
these accounts. The City should ensure escrow accounts are properly reconciled and adjusted, as
necessary, and maintain appropriate documentation of the reconciliation process and determination to
adjust escrow accounts.
Purchasing Card Policies
During the 2020 audit we identified certain processes within the purchasing card policies and procedures
were not being completed such as random audits. An evaluation as to the importance of the random audits
and possible revision to the purchasing card policies and procedures has not been performed, and therefore
we again recommend a review of purchasing card policies and procedures. Purchasing cards are an area
of higher fraud risk and controls should be strengthened to mitigate inherent risks with purchasing cards.
Adequate policies and procedures are an important part of these controls.
Information Technology
A periodic review of users with remote access should be completed periodically and documented to provide
management with the opportunity to verify ongoing need, and to remove access for terminated users that
were not otherwise caught in the normal termination process. A periodic review has not been performed
for a number of years.
There is no formal change management policy for in-house application development. The City should adopt
and document a change management policy to provide a uniform process that aides in preventing
unauthorized or untested changes, updates, or patches being applied to production systems.
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City of Fort Collins, Colorado
July 25, 2022
Page 6
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER COMPLIANCE
In planning and performing our audit, we considered the City’s internal control over compliance with the
requirements that could have a direct and material effect on a major federal program in order to determine
our auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinion on compliance and to test and report on
internal control over compliance in accordance with OMB Uniform Guidance, but not for the purpose of
expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the City’s internal control over compliance. Accordingly, we
do not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the City’s internal control over compliance.
Our consideration of internal control over compliance was for the limited purpose described in the preceding
paragraph and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control over compliance that might
be significant deficiencies or material weaknesses and, therefore, there can be no assurance that all
deficiencies, significant deficiencies, or material weaknesses have been identified.
A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over
compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned
functions, to prevent or detect and correct noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal
program on a timely basis.
A material weakness in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in
internal control over compliance such that there is a reasonable possibility that material noncompliance
with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program will not be prevented or detected and corrected
on a timely basis.
A significant deficiency in internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies,
in internal control over compliance that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to
merit attention by those charged with governance.
We observed the following matter that we consider to be a deficiency.
Deficiency
During testing of the Coronavirus Relief Fund, we identified the City passed funds through to a subrecipient
with a different year-end than the City. The subrecipient’s single audit report was not available until after
the City’s year-end and had not been reviewed by the City. While no findings were issued to the
subrecipient in their single audit report, the City is responsible for ensuring that entities subject to a single
audit have complied with the single audit requirements. In addition, we noted the subrecipient improperly
excluded the City’s pass-through funds on their Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA).
The City should ensure their subrecipient monitoring policies are sufficient to ensure subrecipient audits
with a different fiscal year-end than the City are appropriately and timely reviewed.
We observed matters that we consider to be deficiencies that we communicated to management orally.
OTHER MATTERS
Although not considered material weaknesses, significant deficiencies, or deficiencies in internal control
over financial reporting, we observed the following matters and offer these comments and suggestions with
respect to matters which came to our attention during the course of the audit of the financial statements.
Our audit procedures are designed primarily to enable us to form an opinion on the financial statements
and, therefore, may not bring to light all weaknesses in policies and procedures that may exist. However,
these matters are offered as constructive suggestions for the consideration of management as part of the
ongoing process of modifying and improving financial and administrative practices and procedures. We
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City of Fort Collins, Colorado
July 25, 2022
Page 7
can discuss these matters further at your convenience and may provide implementation assistance for
changes or improvements.
Future Accounting Pronouncements
GASB Statement No. 87, Leases (GASB 87)
In response to the challenges arising from COVID-19, on May 7, 2020 GASB approved Statement No. 95,
Postponement of the Effective Dates of Certain Authoritative Guidance. All statements and implementation
guides with a current effective date of reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2018, and later have a
one-year postponement. This change was effective immediately. Early application was still encouraged.
GASB Statement 87, Leases is effective for the City for the year ending December 31, 2022.
GASB Statement No. 96, Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements
This Statement addresses the accounting for the costs related to cloud computing agreements. The
standard defines a subscription-based information technology arrangements (SBITA), establishes that a
SBITA would result in a right-to-use (RTU) asset and a corresponding liability, provides capitalization
criteria, and requires new note disclosures. The statement’s language and concepts closely mirror the
lease guidance provided in Statement 87, Leases.
GASB Statement 96, Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements is effective for the
Authority for the year ending December 31, 2023. Early application is encouraged.
* * * * *
This communication is intended solely for the information and use of management, City Council, others
within the City, and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified
parties.
July 25, 2022
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Before Subsequent to
Misstatements Misstatements Misstatements % Change
Total Assets & Deferred Outflows 1,338,164,536 (503,915) 1,337,660,621 -0.04%
Total Liabilities & Deferred Inflows (146,972,186)(146,972,186)
Total Net Position (1,191,756,798)503,915 (1,191,252,883)-0.04%
General Revenues & Transfers (239,196,275)(239,196,275)
Net Program Revenues/ Expenses 189,293,481 70,265 189,363,746 0.04%
Change in Net Position (49,902,794)70,265 (49,832,529)-0.14%
City of Fort Collins
ATTACHMENT
This analysis and the attached "Schedule of Uncorrected Misstatements (Adjustments Passed)" reflect the effects on the financial
statements if the uncorrected misstatements identified were corrected.
Governmental Activities (Government-Wide Statements)
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
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Governmental Activities (Government-Wide Statements)SCHEDULE OF UNCORRECTED MISSTATEMENTS (ADJUSTMENTS PASSED)Assets LiabilitiesGeneral Revenues & TransfersNet Program Revenues/ Expenses Net PositionChange in Net PositionNet PositionDescription Financial Statement Line ItemDR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)To post turnaround effect adjusting depreciation expense being understated in FY20 to reflect 2015 busses added to capital assets in FY21 that were in CIP prior.F0 0 0 (433,650) 433,650 0 0 Change in Net Position(433,650)Net Position433,650To remove governmental capital assets additions incorrectly added in 2021 related to SVOG.F(503,915) 0 0 503,915 0 (503,915) 503,915 Expense0 503,915 503,915 Capital assets(503,915)(503,915)Total passed adjustments(503,915)0070,265433,650(503,915)503,915Impact on Change in Net Position70,265Impact on Net Position503,915Client: City of Fort CollinsPeriod Ending: December 31, 2021Net Effect on Following YearFactual (F), Judgmental (J) or Projected (P)DocuSign Envelope ID: 861B570B-9D98-4D3F-8D28-96479A57FA0FPage 81 of 149
Before Subsequent to
Misstatements Misstatements Misstatements % Change
Total Assets 1,103,904,686 1,103,904,686
Non-Current Assets & Deferred Outflows 852,239,223 (675,000) 851,564,223 -0.08%
Current Liabilities (36,111,908)(36,111,908)
Non-Current Liabilities & Deferred Inflows (166,974,290)(166,974,290)
Current Ratio 30.57 30.57
Total Assets & Deferred Outflows 1,104,751,834 (675,000) 1,104,076,834 -0.06%
Total Liabilities & Deferred Inflows (203,086,198)(203,086,198)
Total Net Position (901,665,636)675,000 (900,990,636)-0.07%
General Revenues & Transfers 2,134,330 2,134,330
Net Program Revenues/ Expenses (16,357,815)675,000 (15,682,815)-4.13%
Change in Net Position (14,223,485)675,000 (13,548,485)-4.75%
City of Fort Collins
ATTACHMENT
This analysis and the attached "Schedule of Uncorrected Misstatements (Adjustments Passed)" reflect the effects on the financial
statements if the uncorrected misstatements identified were corrected.
Business Type Activities (Government-Wide Statements)
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
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Governmental Activities (Government-Wide Statements)SCHEDULE OF UNCORRECTED MISSTATEMENTS (ADJUSTMENTS PASSED)Current Noncurrent Current NoncurrentGeneral Revenues & TransfersNet Program Revenues/ Expenses Net PositionChange in Net PositionNet PositionDescription Financial Statement Line ItemDR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)To adjust for water rights which were recorded twice.F0 (675,000) 0 0 0 675,000 0 (675,000) 675,000 Expenses0 675,000 0 675,000 Capital assets (nondepreciable)(675,000)(675,000)Total passed adjustments0(675,000)000675,0000(675,000)675,000Impact on Change in Net Position675,000Impact on Net Position675,000Factual (F), Judgmental (J) or Projected (P)Client: City of Fort CollinsPeriod Ending: December 31, 2021Assets & Deferred OutflowsLiabilities & Deferred InflowsNet Effect on Following YearDocuSign Envelope ID: 861B570B-9D98-4D3F-8D28-96479A57FA0FPage 83 of 149
Before Subsequent to
Misstatements Misstatements Misstatements % Change
Total Assets & Deferred Outflows 134,521,812 134,521,812
Total Liabilities & Deferred Inflows (47,254,299) (251,023) (47,505,322)0.53%
Total Fund Balance (87,267,513)251,023 (87,016,490)-0.29%
Revenues (203,095,335)251,023 (202,844,312)-0.12%
Expenditures 148,470,182 148,470,182
Change in Fund Balance (23,834,536)251,023 (23,583,513)-1.05%
City of Fort Collins
ATTACHMENT
This analysis and the attached "Schedule of Uncorrected Misstatements (Adjustments Passed)" reflect the effects on the
financial statements if the uncorrected misstatements identified were corrected.
General Fund
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
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General FundSCHEDULE OF UNCORRECTED MISSTATEMENTS (ADJUSTMENTS PASSED)Assets & Deferred OutflowsLiabilities & Deferred InflowsChange in Fund BalanceFundBalanceDescriptionFinancial Statement Line ItemDR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)Passed adjustment to reflect revenue accrual which was not received within the 60 day available policy.F0 (251,023) 251,023 0 0 (251,023) 251,023 Intergovernmental revenue251,023 (251,023) 251,023 Deferred inflow(251,023)Total passed adjustments0 (251,023) 251,023 0 0 (251,023) 251,023Impact on Change in Fund Balance251,023Impact on Fund Balance 251,023Client: City of Fort CollinsPeriod Ending: December 31, 2021RevenuesExpendituresFund BalanceNet Effect on Following YearFactual (F), Judgmental (J) or Projected (P)DocuSign Envelope ID: 861B570B-9D98-4D3F-8D28-96479A57FA0FPage 85 of 149
BeforeSubsequent toMisstatements Misstatements Misstatements % ChangeCurrent Assets96,231,60996,231,609Non-Current Assets & Deferred Outflows 261,546,395(845,169) 260,701,226-0.32%Current Liabilities (11,916,270)(11,916,270)Non-Current Liabilities & Deferred Inflows(1,992,176)(1,992,176)Current Ratio8.0768.076Total Assets & Deferred Outflows 357,778,004(845,169) 356,932,835-0.24%Total Liabilities & Deferred Inflows (13,908,446)(13,908,446)Total Net Position (343,869,558)845,169 (343,024,389)-0.25%Operating Revenues (33,960,674)845,169 (33,115,505)-2.49%Operating Expenses33,831,67233,831,672Nonoperating (Revenues) Exp214,921214,921Change in Net Position(4,935,199)845,169 (4,090,030)-17.13%City of Fort CollinsATTACHMENTThis analysis and the attached "Schedule of Uncorrected Misstatements (Adjustments Passed)" reflect the effects on the financial statements if the uncorrected misstatements identified were corrected.WaterQUANTITATIVE ANALYSISDocuSign Envelope ID: 861B570B-9D98-4D3F-8D28-96479A57FA0FPage 86 of 149
WaterSCHEDULE OF UNCORRECTED MISSTATEMENTS (ADJUSTMENTS PASSED)CurrentNoncurrentCurrentNoncurrentOperating RevenuesOperating ExpensesNonoperating (Revenues) ExpNet PositionChange in Net PositionNet PositionDescriptionFinancial Statement Line ItemDR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)DR (CR)To adjust for water rights which were recorded twice.F` (675,000) 0 0 675,000000(675,000)675,000 Operating expense675,000 (675,000) 675,000 Land, water rights, other(675,000)Extrapolated error related to water rights recorded twiceP0 (170,169) 0 0 170,169000 0 0 Operating expense170,169Land, water rights, other(170,169)Total passed adjustments0 (845,169) 0 0 845,169000(675,000) 675,000Impact on Change in Net Position845,169Impact on Net Position845,169Client: City of Fort CollinsPeriod Ending: December 31, 2021Assets & Deferred OutflowsLiabilities & Deferred InflowsNet Effect on Following YearFactual (F), Judgmental (J) or Projected (P)DocuSign Envelope ID: 861B570B-9D98-4D3F-8D28-96479A57FA0FPage 87 of 149
Representation of:
City of Fort Collins
215 North Mason Street, 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
Provided to:
FORVIS, LLP
Certified Public Accountants
1801 California Street, Suite 2900
Denver, Colorado 80202
The undersigned (“We”) are providing this letter in connection with FORVIS’ audit(s) of our financial
statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 and your audit of our compliance with
requirements applicable to each of our major federal awards programs as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2021.
Our representations are current and effective as of the date of FORVIS’ report June 29, 2022 except for
items 26 b through u as to which the date is July 25, 2022.
Our engagement with FORVIS is based on our contract for services dated: November 30, 2021.
Our Responsibility and Consideration of Material Matters
We confirm that we are responsible for the fair presentation of the financial statements subject to FORVIS’
report in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We are also responsible for adopting sound accounting policies; establishing and maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting, operations, and compliance; and preventing and detecting fraud.
Certain representations in this letter are described as being limited to matters that are material. Items are
considered material, regardless of size, if they involve an omission or misstatement of accounting
information that, in light of surrounding circumstances, makes it probable that the judgment of a reasonable
person relying on the information would be changed or influenced by the omission or misstatement. An
omission or misstatement that is monetarily small in amount could be considered material as a result of
qualitative factors.
Confirmation of Matters Specific to the Subject Matter of FORVIS’ Report
We confirm, to the best of our knowledge and belief, the following:
1. We have fulfilled our responsibilities, as set out in the terms of our contract, for the preparation and
fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America.
2. We acknowledge our responsibility for the design, implementation, and maintenance of:
a. Internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
b. Internal control to prevent and detect fraud.
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City of Fort Collins
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3. We have everything we need to keep our books and records.
4. We have provided you with:
a. Access to all information of which we are aware that is relevant to the preparation and fair
presentation of the financial statements, such as records, documentation, and other
matters.
b. Additional information that you have requested from us for the purpose of the audit.
c. Unrestricted access to persons within the entity from whom you determined it necessary
to obtain audit evidence.
d. All minutes of meetings of the governing body held through the date of this letter or
summaries of actions of recent meetings for which minutes have not yet been prepared.
All unsigned copies of minutes provided to you are copies of our original minutes approved
by the governing body, if applicable, and maintained as part of our records.
e. All significant contracts and grants.
5. All transactions have been recorded in the accounting records and are reflected in the financial
statements.
6. We have informed you of all current risks of a material amount that are not adequately prevented
or detected by our procedures with respect to:
a. Misappropriation of assets.
b. Misrepresented or misstated assets, deferred outflows of resources, liabilities, deferred
inflows of resources, or net position.
7. We believe the effects of the uncorrected financial statement misstatements summarized in the
attached schedule are immaterial, both individually and in the aggregate, to the financial statements
taken as a whole.
8. We have no knowledge of any known or suspected fraudulent financial reporting or
misappropriation of assets involving:
a. Management or employees who have significant roles in internal control, or
b. Others, where activities of others could have a material effect on the financial statements.
9. We have no knowledge of any allegations of fraud or suspected fraud affecting the entity received
in communications from employees, customers, regulators, suppliers, or others.
10. We have assessed the risk that the financial statements may be materially misstated as a result of
fraud and disclosed to you any such risk identified.
11. We have disclosed to you the identity of all of the entity’s related parties and all the related-party
relationships of which we are aware. The entity has not entered into any new agreements with a
related party or modified terms related to an existing related-party transaction during the year under
audit, or as of the date of this letter. Further, we do not have any existing or ongoing agreements
with related parties that are still in effect as of the date of this letter.
We understand that the term related party refers to an affiliate, management and members of their
immediate families, component units, and any other party with which the entity may deal if the entity
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City of Fort Collins
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can significantly influence, or be influenced by, the management or operating policies of the other.
The term affiliate refers to a party that directly or indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or is under
common control with, the entity.
12. We are not aware of any side agreements or other arrangements (either written or oral) that are in
place.
13. Except as reflected in the financial statements, there are no:
a. Plans or intentions that may materially affect carrying values or classifications of assets
and liabilities.
b. Material transactions omitted or improperly recorded in the financial records.
c. Material gain/loss contingencies requiring accrual or disclosure, including those arising
from environmental remediation obligations.
d. Events occurring subsequent to the statement of net position date through the date of this
letter requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.
e. Agreements to purchase assets previously sold.
f. Restrictions on cash balances or compensating balance agreements.
g. Guarantees, whether written or oral, under which the entity is contingently liable.
14. We have disclosed to you all known instances of noncompliance or suspected noncompliance with
laws and regulations whose effects should be considered when preparing financial statements.
15. We have no reason to believe the entity owes any penalties or payments under the Employer
Shared Responsibility Provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act nor have we
received any correspondence from the IRS or other agencies indicating such payments may be
due.
16. We have disclosed to you all known actual or possible litigation and claims whose effects should
be considered when preparing the financial statements. The effects of all known actual or possible
litigation and claims have been accounted for and disclosed in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
17. Adequate provisions and allowances have been accrued for any material losses from:
a. Uncollectible receivables.
b. Reducing obsolete or excess inventories to estimated net realizable value.
c. Sales commitments, including those unable to be fulfilled.
d. Purchase commitments in excess of normal requirements or above prevailing market
prices.
18. Except as disclosed in the financial statements, the entity has:
a. Satisfactory title to all recorded assets, and they are not subject to any liens, pledges, or
other encumbrances.
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b. Complied with all aspects of contractual and grant agreements, for which noncompliance
would materially affect the financial statements.
19. The financial statements disclose all significant estimates and material concentrations known to us.
Significant estimates are estimates at the statement of net position date that could change
materially within the next year. Concentrations refer to volumes of business, revenues, available
sources of supply, or markets for which events could occur that would significantly disrupt normal
finances within the next year. Significant assumptions used by us in making accounting estimates,
including those measured at fair value, are reasonable.
20. The fair values of financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities, if any, recognized in the financial
statements or disclosed in the notes thereto are reasonable estimates based on the methods and
assumptions used. The methods and significant assumptions used result in measurements of fair
value appropriate for financial statement recognition and disclosure purposes and have been
applied consistently from period to period, taking into account any changes in circumstances. The
significant assumptions appropriately reflect market participant assumptions.
21. Except as has been previously disclosed to FORVIS, we have not been designated as a potentially
responsible party (PRP or equivalent status) by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or
other cognizant regulatory agency with authority to enforce environmental laws and regulations.
22. With respect to any nonattest services you have provided us during the year, including the drafting
of the schedule of expenditures of federal awards and the auditee portion of the Form SF-SAC
(Data Collection Form) through the Federal Audit Clearinghouse:
a. We have designated a qualified management-level individual to be responsible and
accountable for overseeing the nonattest services.
b. We have established and monitored the performance of the nonattest services to ensure
they meet our objectives.
c. We have made any and all decisions involving management functions with respect to the
nonattest services and accept full responsibility for such decisions.
d. We have evaluated the adequacy of the services performed and any findings that resulted.
e. We have received the deliverables from you and have stored these deliverables in
information systems controlled by us. We have taken responsibility for maintaining internal
control over these deliverables.
23. We have notified you of any instances of noncompliance with applicable disclosure requirements
of the SEC Rule 15c2-12 and applicable state laws.
24. With regard to deposit and investment activities:
a. All deposit, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and investment transactions
have been made in accordance with legal and contractual requirements.
b. Disclosures of deposit and investment balances and risks in the financial statements are
consistent with our understanding of the applicable laws regarding enforceability of any
pledges of collateral.
c. We understand that your audit does not represent an opinion regarding the enforceability
of any collateral pledges.
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25. As an entity subject to Government Auditing Standards:
a. We acknowledge that we are responsible for compliance with applicable laws, regulations,
and provisions of contracts and grant agreements.
b. We have identified and disclosed to you all laws, regulations, and provisions of contracts
and grant agreements that have a direct and material effect on the determination of
amounts in our financial statements or other financial data significant to the audit
objectives.
c. We have identified and disclosed to you any violations or possible violations of laws,
regulations, and provisions of contracts and grant agreements whose effects should be
considered for recognition and/or disclosure in the financial statements or for your reporting
on noncompliance.
d. We have taken or will take timely and appropriate steps to remedy any fraud, abuse, illegal
acts, or violations of provisions of contracts or grant agreements that you or other auditors
report.
e. We have a process to track the status of audit findings and recommendations.
f. We have identified to you any previous financial audits, attestation engagements,
performance audits, or other studies related to the objectives of your audit and the
corrective actions taken to address any significant findings and recommendations made in
such audits, attestation engagements, or other studies.
g. We have provided our views on any findings, conclusions, and recommendations, as well
as our planned corrective actions with respect thereto, to you for inclusion in the findings
and recommendations referred to in your report on internal control over financial reporting
and on compliance and other matters based on your audit of the financial statements
performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards.
26. With regard to federal awards programs:
a. We have identified in the schedule of expenditures of federal awards all assistance
provided (either directly or passed through other entities) by federal agencies in the form
of grants, contracts, loans, loan guarantees, property, cooperative agreements, interest
subsidies, commodities, insurance, direct appropriations, or in any other form.
b. We have disclosed to you all contracts or other agreements with service organizations, and
we have disclosed to you all communications from the service organizations relating to
noncompliance at the service organizations.
c. We have identified the types of compliance requirements described in the U.S. Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Compliance Supplement regarding activities allowed or
unallowed; allowable costs/cost principles; cash management; eligibility; equipment and
real property management; matching, level of effort, earmarking; period of performance of
federal funds; procurement and suspension and debarment; program income; reporting;
subrecipient monitoring; and special tests and provisions that are applicable to each of our
federal awards programs. We have identified to you our interpretation of any applicable
compliance requirements subject to varying interpretations.
d. We are responsible for complying, and have complied, with the requirements of Uniform
Guidance.
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e. We are responsible to understand and comply with the requirements of federal statutes,
regulations, and the terms and conditions of federal awards related to each of our federal
awards programs and have disclosed to you any and all instances of noncompliance with
those requirements occurring during the period of your audit or subsequent thereto to the
date of this letter of which we are aware. Except for any instances of noncompliance we
have disclosed to you, we believe the entity has complied with all applicable compliance
requirements.
f. We are responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal controls
over compliance that provide reasonable assurance we have administered each of our
federal awards programs in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms
and conditions of the federal awards.
g. We have made available to you all federal awards (including amendments, if any) and any
other correspondence or documentation relevant to each of our federal awards programs
and to our compliance with applicable requirements of those programs.
h. The information presented in federal awards program financial reports and claims for
advances and reimbursements is supported by the books and records from which our
financial statements have been prepared.
i. The costs charged to federal awards are in accordance with applicable cost principles.
j. The reports provided to you related to federal awards programs are true copies of reports
submitted or electronically transmitted to the federal awarding agency, the applicable
payment system or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient.
k. Amounts claimed or used for matching were determined in accordance with Title 2 U.S.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost
Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance) regarding cost
principles.
l. We have monitored any subrecipients to determine that they have expended federal
awards in accordance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the subaward and have met the audit and other requirements of the Uniform Guidance.
m. We have taken appropriate corrective action on a timely basis after receipt of any
subrecipient’s auditor’s report that identified findings and questioned costs pertaining to
federal awards programs passed through to the subrecipient by us.
n. We have considered the results of any subrecipient’s audits received and made any
necessary adjustments to our books and records.
o. We have disclosed to you any communications from federal awarding agencies and pass-
through entities concerning possible noncompliance with the applicable compliance
requirements for each of our federal awards programs, including any communications
received from the end of the period of your audit through the date of this letter.
p. We have identified to you any previous compliance audits, attestation engagements, and
internal or external monitoring related to the objectives of your compliance audit, including
findings received and corrective actions taken to address any significant findings and
recommendations made in such audits, attestation engagements, or other monitoring.
q. Except as described in the schedule of findings and questioned costs, we are in agreement
with the findings contained therein and our views regarding any disagreements with such
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findings are consistent, as of the date of this letter, with the description thereof in that
schedule.
r. We are responsible for taking corrective action on any audit findings and have developed
a corrective action plan that meets the requirements of Uniform Guidance.
s. The summary schedule of prior audit findings correctly states the status of all audit findings
of the prior audit’s schedule of findings and questioned costs and any uncorrected open
findings included in the prior audit’s summary schedule of prior audit findings as of the date
of this letter.
t. The reporting package does not contain any protected personally identifiable information.
u. No changes have been made in internal control over compliance or other factors that might
significantly affect internal control, including any corrective action we have taken regarding
significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in internal control over compliance
subsequent to the period covered by the auditor’s report.
27. The supplementary information required by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board,
consisting of management’s discussion and analysis, modified approach to infrastructure, and
pension and other postemployment benefits information, has been prepared and is measured and
presented in conformity with the applicable GASB pronouncements, and we acknowledge our
responsibility for the information. The information contained therein is based on all facts, decisions,
and conditions currently known to us and is measured using the same methods and assumptions
as were used in the preparation of the financial statements. We believe the significant assumptions
underlying the measurement and/or presentation of the information are reasonable and
appropriate. There has been no change from the preceding period in the methods of measurement
and presentation.
28. With regard to supplementary information:
a. We acknowledge our responsibility for the presentation of the supplementary information
in accordance with the applicable criteria.
b. We believe the supplementary information is fairly presented, both in form and content, in
accordance with the applicable criteria.
c. The methods of measurement and presentation of the supplementary information are
unchanged from those used in the prior period.
d. We believe the significant assumptions or interpretations underlying the measurement
and/or presentation of the supplementary information are reasonable and appropriate.
e. If the supplementary information is not presented with the audited financial statements, we
acknowledge we will make the audited financial statements readily available to intended
users of the supplementary information no later than the date such information and the
related auditor’s report are issued.
29. With regard to other information that is presented in the form of our annual comprehensive financial
report:
a. We confirm that the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report comprises the annual report
for the entity.
b. We have provided you with the final draft of the annual report.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 861B570B-9D98-4D3F-8D28-96479A57FA0F
Page 94 of 149
City of Fort Collins
Page 8
c. Due care has been exercised in the preparation of the introduction and statistical sections
of the City’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and we are not aware of any
information contained in those sections of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
that is inconsistent with information contained in the financial statements and notes thereto.
30. We assert that remediation related to the Bobcat Ridge Natural Area Disposal Site was completed
prior to December 31, 2021. Furthermore, the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment has accepted the City’s request for No Further Action, dated March 22, 2022.
31. The City has complied with all debt covenants.
32. We believe we are in compliance with the requirements of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR).
33. We agree with the findings of specialists in evaluating the accuracy of actuarial valuations and have
adequately considered the qualification of the specialists in determining the amounts and
disclosures used in the financial statements and underlying accounting records. We did not give
or cause any instructions to be given to the specialists with respect to the values or amounts derived
in an attempt to bias their work, and we are not otherwise aware of any matters that have had
impact on the independence or objectivity of the specialists.
34. We acknowledge the current economic volatility presents difficult circumstances and challenges for
our industry. Entities are potentially facing declines in the fair values of investments and other
assets, declines in the volume of business, constraints on liquidity, difficulty obtaining financing,
etc. We understand the values of the assets and liabilities recorded in the financial statements
could change rapidly, resulting in material future adjustments to asset values, allowances for
accounts and notes receivable, net realizable value of inventory, etc., that could negatively impact
the entity’s ability to meet debt covenants or maintain sufficient liquidity.
We acknowledge that you have no responsibility for future changes caused by the current economic
environment and the resulting impact on the entity’s financial statements. Further, management
and governance are solely responsible for all aspects of managing the entity, including questioning
the quality and valuation of investments, inventory, and other assets; reviewing allowances for
uncollectible amounts; evaluating capital needs and liquidity plans; etc.
Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
kdimartino@fcgov.com
Travis Storin, Chief Financial Officer
tstorin@fcgov.com
Blaine Dunn, Accounting Director
bdunn@fcgov.com
DocuSign Envelope ID: 861B570B-9D98-4D3F-8D28-96479A57FA0F
Page 95 of 149
City of Fort Collins
Single Audit Report
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Page 96 of 149
City of Fort Collins
December 31, 2021
Contents
Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards ..................................................................... 1
Notes to Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards ...................................................... 4
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
and on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit
of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with
Government Auditing Standards – Independent Auditor’s Report ................................ 5
Report on Compliance for Each Major Federal
Program; Report on Internal Control Over Compliance;
and Report on Schedule of Expenditures of Federal
Awards Required by the Uniform Guidance –
Independent Auditor’s Report ........................................................................................... 7
Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs .................................................................... 11
Status of Prior Audit Findings ............................................................................................ 15
Page 97 of 149
City of Fort Collins Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Year Ended December 31, 2021 1 Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentCDBG Entitlements Grants ClusterCommunity Development Block Grants/Entitlement GrantsGrant Year 2017 / 2018Direct N/AB-17-MC-08-0008 14.2185,000$ 5,000$ Grant Year 2019 / 2020Direct N/A B-19-MC-08-0008 14.218 816,282 816,282 Grant Year 2020 / 2021Direct N/A B-20-MC-08-0008 14.218 455,324 619,677 Grant Year 2021 / 2022Direct N/A B-21-MC-08-0008 14.218 60,718 98,856 COVID-19 Community Development Block Grant Direct N/A B-20-MW-08-0008 14.218 599,223 599,223 Total CDBG Entitlement Grants Cluster1,936,547 2,139,038 Home Investment Partnerships ProgramGrant Year 2017 / 2018Direct N/A M-17-MC 08-0209 14.239 10,000 10,000 Grant Year 2018 / 2019Direct N/A M-18-MC 08-0209 14.239 114,819 114,819 Grant Year 2019 / 2020 Direct N/A M-19-MC 08-0209 14.239 642,205 642,205 Grant year 2020 / 2021Direct N/A M-20-MC 08-0209 14.239 96,711 144,422 Grant year 2021 / 2022M-21-MC-08-0209 14.239 - 28,745 Subtotal863,735 940,191 Total Department of Housing and Urban Development2,800,282 3,079,229 Department of the InteriorBureau of ReclamationWaterSMART (Sustaining and Manage America's Resources for Tomorrow) Direct N/AR19AP00169 15.507- 54,656 Total Department of the Interior- 54,656 Department of JusticeMissing Children's AssistancePass-ThroughCity of Colorado Springs2018-MC-FX-K027 16.543 - 5,929 Crime Victim Assistance Program Pass-ThroughColorado Department of Public Safety2020-VA-21-440-8 16.575 - 23,143 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program Pass-ThroughLarimer County2018-DJ-BX-0704 16.738 - 32,092 Total Department of Justice- 61,164 Federal Assistance ListingFederal ExpendituresPass-Through to SubrecipientsDirect/Pass-Through Pass-Through EntityProject/Grant (FAIN) No. Pass-Through Entity Identifying NumberFederal Grantor/Pass-Through Grantor/Program TitlePage 98 of 149
City of Fort Collins Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (continued) Year Ended December 31, 2021 2 Department of TransportationHighway Planning and Construction ClusterHighway Planning and Construction Pass-ThroughColorado Department of TransportationSAR M455-127 (23025) 20.205 - 311,695 Highway Planning and Construction Pass-ThroughColorado Department of TransportationSTU M455-129 (23047) 20.205 - 15,486 Highway Planning and Construction Pass-ThroughColorado Department of TransportationACQ M455-088 (16525) 20.205 - 2,730 Highway Planning and Construction Pass-ThroughColorado Department of TransportationSTU M455-118 (20615) 20.205 - 90,000 Highway Planning and Construction Pass-ThroughColorado Department of TransportationSHO M455-124 (21966) 20.205 - 191,711 Highway Planning and Construction Pass-ThroughColorado Department of TransportationBRO M455-121 (20825) 20.205 - 45,449 Highway Planning and Construction Pass-ThroughColorado Department of TransportationSHO C060-086 (21964) 20.205 - 348,156 Total Highway Planning and Construction Cluster- 1,005,227 Federal Transit ClusterCOVID-19 Federal Transit Formula Grants Direct N/ACO-2020-019-0120.507 - 588,099 Federal Transit Formula GrantsDirect N/ACO-2020-020-0020.507 - 1,558,978 Federal Transit Formula GrantsDirect N/ACO-2020-026-00 20.507- 950,000 COVID-19 Federal Transit Formula Grants Direct N/ACO-2021-031 20.507- 1,462,874 Federal Transit Formula GrantsDirectN/A1138-2021-320.507- 2,214,027 Federal Transit Formula GrantsDirectN/ACO-2021-006-0020.507- 165,807 Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions ProgramsDirectN/ACO-2019-020-0020.526- 527,319 Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions ProgramsDirectN/ACO-2020-013-0020.526- 440,906 Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions ProgramsDirectN/ACO-2019-020-0220.526- 709,026 Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions ProgramsDirectN/ACO-2020-002-0220.526- 542,986 Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions ProgramsDirectN/A1138-2020-520.526- 117,558 Total Federal Transit Cluster- 9,277,580 Highway Safety ClusterNational Priority Safety ProgramsPass-ThroughColorado Department of Transportation21NHTSA405B.0602PO 41102601120.616- 5,415 Total Highway Safety Cluster- 5,415 Total Department of Transportation- 10,288,222 Direct/Pass-Through Pass-Through EntityFederal Grantor/Pass-Through Grantor/Program TitleProject/Grant (FAIN) No. Pass-Through Entity Identifying NumberFederal Assistance ListingPass-Through to SubrecipientsFederal ExpendituresPage 99 of 149
City of Fort Collins Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (continued) Year Ended December 31, 2021 3 Department of the TreasuryCOVID-19 Coronavirus Relief Fund Pass-ThroughDepartment of Local AffairsCVRF CM-03021.019 176,484 669,954 COVID-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds DirectN/AN/A21.027 - 263,199 Total Department of Treasury176,484 933,153 Small Business AdministrationCOVID-19 Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program DirectN/ASBAHQ21SV00806159.075 - 503,915 Total Small Business Administration- 503,915 Environmental Protection AgencyState Environmental Justice Cooperative Agreement Program Direct N/A95820412 66.312- 1,325 Total Environmental Protection Agency- 1,325 Department of EnergyState Energy ProgramPass-ThroughColorado Department of EnergyDE-EE000747081.041 - 718,359 - 718,359 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Emergency Management Performance Grants Pass-ThroughCO Dept. of Public Safety Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management 21EM-22-6297.042 - 65,000 Total FEMA- 65,000 Total Expenditures of Federal Awards2,976,766$ 15,705,023$ Federal Grantor/Pass-Through Grantor/Program Title Direct/Pass-Through Pass-Through EntityProject/Grant (FAIN) No. Pass-Through Entity Identifying NumberFederal Assistance ListingFederal ExpendituresPass-Through to SubrecipientsPage 100 of 149
City of Fort Collins
Notes to Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards
Year Ended December 31, 2021
4
Notes to Schedule
1. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of federal awards (the Schedule) includes the
federal award activity of the City of Fort Collins (the City) under programs of the federal
government for the year ended December 31, 2021. The information in this Schedule is
presented in accordance with the requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations
Part 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for
Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance). Because this Schedule presents only a selected portion
of the operations of the City, it is not intended to and does not present the financial position,
changes in net position or cash flows of the City.
2. Expenditures reported on the Schedule are reported on the accrual basis of accounting. Such
expenditures are recognized following the cost principles contained in Uniform Guidance or
other applicable regulatory guidance, wherein certain types of expenditures are not allowable or
are limited as to reimbursement. Pass-through identifying numbers are presented where
available. The City has elected not to use the 10 percent de minimis indirect cost rate allowed
under the Uniform Guidance.
3. The federal loan program listed subsequently is administered directly by the City, and balances
and transactions relating to these programs are included in City’s basic financial statements.
Loans outstanding at the beginning of the year and loans made during the year are included in
the federal expenditures presented in the Schedule. The balance of loans outstanding at
December 31, 2021, consists of:
Outstanding
Assistance Balance at
Listing December 31,
Number Program Name 2021
81.041 State Energy Program 550,157$
Page 101 of 149
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
and on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit
of Financial Statements Performed in Accordance with
Government Auditing Standards
Independent Auditor’s Report
Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
City of Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado
We have audited, in accordance with the auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards,
issued by the Comptroller General of the United States, the financial statements of the governmental
activities, the business-type activities, the discretely presented component unit, each major fund and the
aggregate remaining fund information of City of Fort Collins (the City), as of and for the year ended
December 31, 2021, and the related notes to the financial statements, which collectively comprise the
City’s basic financial statements, and have issued our report thereon dated July 25, 2022.
Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
In planning and performing our audit of the financial statements, we considered the City’s internal control
over financial reporting (internal control) as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in
the circumstances for the purpose of expressing our opinion on the financial statements, but not for the
purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the City’s internal control. Accordingly, we do
not express an opinion on the effectiveness of the City’s internal control.
A deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow
management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or
detect and correct, misstatements on a timely basis. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a
combination of deficiencies, in internal control, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material
misstatement of the entity’s financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a
timely basis. A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control
that is less severe than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with
governance.
Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described in the first paragraph of this
section and was not designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material
weaknesses or significant deficiencies. Given these limitations, during our audit we did not identify any
deficiencies in internal control that we consider to be material weaknesses. However, material
weaknesses or significant deficiencies may exist that were not identified.
Page 102 of 149
Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
City of Fort Collins
6
Report on Compliance and Other Matters
As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether the City’s financial statements are free from
material misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws, regulations,
contracts and grant agreements, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the
financial statements. However, providing an opinion on compliance with those provisions was not an
objective of our audit, and accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. The results of our tests
disclosed no instances of noncompliance or other matters that are required to be reported under
Government Auditing Standards.
Purpose of this Report
The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of internal control and compliance
and the results of that testing, and not to provide an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal
control or on compliance. This report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with
Government Auditing Standards in considering the entity’s internal control and compliance.
Accordingly, this communication is not suitable for any other purpose.
Denver, Colorado
July 25, 2022
Page 103 of 149
Report on Compliance for Each Major Federal
Program, Report on Internal Control Over Compliance,
and Report on Schedule of Expenditures of Federal
Awards Required by the Uniform Guidance
Independent Auditor’s Report
Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
City of Fort Collins
Fort Collins, Colorado
Report on Compliance for Each Major Federal Program
Opinion on Each Major Federal Program
We have audited the City of Fort Collins (the City) compliance with the types of compliance requirements
identified as subject to audit in the OMB Compliance Supplement that could have a direct and material
effect on each of the City’s major federal programs for the year ended December 31, 2021. The City’s
major federal programs are identified in the summary of auditor’s results section of the accompanying
schedule of findings and questioned costs.
In our opinion, the City complied, in all material respects, with the compliance requirements referred to
above that could have a direct and material effect on each of its major federal programs for the year ended
December 31, 2021.
Basis for Opinion on Each Major Federal Program
We conducted our audit of compliance in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the
United States of America (GAAS); the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government
Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States (Government Auditing
Standards); and the audit requirements of Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations Part 200, Uniform
Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform
Guidance). Our responsibilities under those standards and the Uniform Guidance are further described in
the “Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of Compliance” section of our report.
We are required to be independent of the City and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance
with relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have
obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion on compliance for each major
federal program. Our audit does not provide a legal determination of the City’s compliance with the
compliance requirements referred to above.
Page 104 of 149
Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
City of Fort Collins
8
Responsibilities of Management for Compliance
Management is responsible for compliance with the requirements referred to above and for the design,
implementation, and maintenance of effective internal control over compliance with the requirements of
laws, statutes, regulations, rules, and provisions of contracts or grant agreements applicable to the City’s
federal programs.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of Compliance
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether material noncompliance with the
compliance requirements referred to above occurred, whether due to fraud or error, and express an
opinion on the City’s compliance based on our audit. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance
but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with
GAAS, Government Auditing Standards, and the Uniform Guidance will always detect material
noncompliance when it exists. The risk of not detecting material noncompliance resulting from fraud is
higher than for that resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions,
misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Noncompliance with the compliance requirements
referred to above is considered material, if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the
aggregate, it would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user of the report on compliance about
the City’s compliance with the requirements of each major federal program as a whole.
In performing an audit in accordance with GAAS, Government Auditing Standards, and the Uniform
Guidance, we:
Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.
Identify and assess the risks of material noncompliance, whether due to fraud or error, and design
and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a
test basis, evidence regarding the City’s compliance with the compliance requirements referred to
above and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.
Obtain an understanding of the City’s internal control over compliance relevant to the audit in
order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances and to test and report on
internal control over compliance in accordance with the Uniform Guidance, but not for the
purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the City’s internal control over
compliance. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.
We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the
planned scope and timing of the audit and any significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in internal
control over compliance that we identified during the audit.
Page 105 of 149
Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
City of Fort Collins
9
Report on Internal Control Over Compliance
A deficiency in internal control over compliance exists when the design or operation of a control over
compliance does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned
functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a
federal program on a timely basis. A material weakness in internal control over compliance is a
deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over compliance, such that there is a
reasonable possibility that material noncompliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal
program will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A significant deficiency in
internal control over compliance is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over
compliance with a type of compliance requirement of a federal program that is less severe than a material
weakness in internal control over compliance, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged
with governance.
Our consideration of internal control over compliance was for the limited purpose described in the
“Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of Compliance” section above and was not designed to identify
all deficiencies in internal control over compliance that might be material weaknesses or significant
deficiencies in internal control over compliance. Given these limitations, during our audit we did not
identify any deficiencies in internal control over compliance that we consider to be material weaknesses,
as defined above. However, material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control over
compliance may exist that were not identified.
Our audit was not designed for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of internal
control over compliance. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.
The purpose of this report on internal control over compliance is solely to describe the scope of our
testing of internal control over compliance and the results of that testing based on the requirements of the
Uniform Guidance. Accordingly, this report is not suitable for any other purpose.
Report on Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Required by the Uniform
Guidance
We have audited the financial statements of the governmental activities, the business-type activities, the
discretely presented component unit, each major fund and the aggregate remaining fund information of
the City, as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes to the financial
statements, which collectively comprise the City’s basic financial statements. We issued our report
thereon dated July 25, 2022, which contained unmodified opinions on those financial statements. Our
audit was conducted for the purpose of forming opinions on the financial statements that collectively
comprise the basic financial statements as a whole. The accompanying schedule of expenditures of
federal awards is presented for purposes of additional analysis as required by the Uniform Guidance and
is not a required part of the basic financial statements. Such information is the responsibility of
management and was derived from and relates directly to the underlying accounting and other records
used to prepare the basic financial statements. The information has been subjected to the auditing
procedures applied in the audit
Page 106 of 149
Honorable Mayor and Members of City Council
City of Fort Collins
10
of the financial statements and certain additional procedures, including comparing and reconciling such
information directly to the underlying accounting and other records used to prepare the basic financial
statements or to the basic financial statements themselves, and other additional procedures in accordance
with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In our opinion, the schedule
of expenditures of federal awards is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial
statements as a whole.
Denver, Colorado
July 25, 2022
Page 107 of 149
City of Fort Collins
Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs
Year Ended December 31, 2021
11
Summary of Auditor’s Results
Financial Statements
1. The type of report the auditor issued on whether the financial statements audited were prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP)
was (were):
Unmodified Qualified Adverse Disclaimer
2. Internal control over financial reporting:
Material weakness(es) identified? Yes No
Significant deficiency(ies) identified? Yes None reported
Noncompliance material to the financial statements noted? Yes No
Federal Awards
3. Internal Control over major federal awards programs:
Material weakness(es) identified? Yes No
Significant deficiency(ies) identified? Yes None reported
4. Type of auditor’s report issued on compliance for major federal award program(s):
Unmodified Qualified Adverse Disclaimed
5. Any audit findings disclosed that are required to be reported in
accordance with 2 CFR 200.516(a)?
Yes No
6. Identification of major programs:
Assistance Listing Number Name of Federal Program or Cluster
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund
20.500, 20.526, 20.507 Federal Transit Cluster
Page 108 of 149
City of Fort Collins
Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2021
12
7. The threshold to distinguish between Type A and Type B programs was $750,000.
9. Auditee qualified as low-risk auditee?
Yes No
Page 109 of 149
City of Fort Collins
Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2021
13
Financial Statement Findings
Reference
Number Finding
No matters are reportable.
Page 110 of 149
City of Fort Collins
Schedule of Findings and Questioned Costs (continued)
Year Ended December 31, 2021
14
Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs
Reference
Number Finding
No matters are reportable.
Page 111 of 149
City of Fort Collins
Status of Prior Audit Findings
Year Ended December 31, 2021
15
Reference
Number Summary of Finding Status
No matters are reportable.
Page 112 of 149
Page 113 of 149
COUNCIL FINANCE COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Staff: Dave Lenz
Date: August 1, 2022
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
East Mulberry: Potential Annexation Lenses and Phasing
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to provide Council with an overview of the potential annexation
phasing lenses, assumptions, and corresponding financial modeling of the East Mulberry
enclave. Staff have been evaluating a variety of possible approaches to a potential annexation
and have developed five phasing lenses that encompass an underlying set of priorities and can
help determine the order of approach to a potential annexation.
These phasing lenses have been utilized to create alternative five potential annexation scenarios.
The financial implications of these scenarios have been modeled utilizing a fiscal impact
modeling tool. Separate analysis has been performed for both the Governmental and Utility
sectors of the City organization. A 20-year timeframe has been included as the base level of
comparison across the scenarios. An additional 35-year analysis is also provided to highlight the
impacts of accelerating or de-accelerating the potential annexation process.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
• What aspects of each scenario would Council like to prioritize to further refine toward a
potential future annexation scenario?
• What questions remain for Council regarding potential annexation phasing and timing?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
Phasing and Lenses
In order to facilitate a potential annexation evaluation, staff and outside consultants have divided
up the East Mulberry enclave area into five subareas. These “boundaries” have been formed
based on existing conditions and general land use designations. They are not specific
recommendations but a necessary part of the exercise to establish a set of different potential
annexation options. The mapping of the subareas is highlighted below.
Page 114 of 149
Five phasing lenses have been created to articulate and depict the priorities, assumptions, and
potential “benefits” or “drawbacks” to each scenario based on previously stated priorities by
Council, community members, and City staff. Each of the scenarios includes a different
sequencing and timing of all five subareas.
1. Economic Opportunity - Emphasizes economic development and vitality in the area
2. Residential Enhancement - Emphasizes connectivity, utilities, and other social priorities
3. Environment & Hazard Protection - Emphasizes environmental buffers, flood mitigation
4. Fiscal Health for City - Emphasizes fiscal impact to City of annexation, including
existing priorities, risks, and timing
5. Community Gateway - Emphasizes improvements and reinvestment potential for the
Mulberry Corridor, including the highway and frontage roads
These scenarios are theoretical and assume annexation within given periods of time. They can be
adjusted by changing the underlying assumptions to produce different results. None of these
scenarios are meant to be “staff recommendations” and are instead a starting point for
conversation and analysis. More detail of on the character of each scenario are detailed in the
accompanying presentation materials.
Financial Impacts
For each of the five developed scenarios, the analysis presents a twenty-year timeframe and
assumes annexation of all areas within the enclave. Depending on the timing of when a
particular sub-area is annexed into the City, additional operating costs, capital and asset
management requirements will fall outside the twenty-year timeframe.
Page 115 of 149
Summary high level financial projections are highlighted below. This breakout shows the total
20-year revenue, expense and margin for both the governmental and utility sectors, in addition to
average annual amounts over the 20-year period.
Additionally, the following detail and analysis is included in the presentation materials:
• Each scenario also has more granular detailed provided (Governmental Operating and
Capital; Utilities Operating and Capital). The twenty-year timeframe is divided into four
5-year periods (Immediate, Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term).
• A more detailed twenty-year summary roll-up of the governmental and utility sectors is
included as well.
• A 35- year alternative analysis highlighting the impacts of accelerating or de-accelerating
the potential annexation process.
Funding Considerations
Both the governmental and utility sectors will require additional funding to pursue a potential
annexation. On the governmental side, no specific identified source of funding is currently
available. Consideration to existing needs and council priorities will help inform the extent to
which funding may be available in the future. On the utility side, mechanisms are in place to pay
for additional requirements brought on by potential annexations, subject to impacts to existing
projects and funding requirements, and the resulting impact to ratepayers.
Next steps
October: Tentative - Council Finance Committee – Touchpoint / Follow-up
November: Council Work Session – East Mulberry Plan Discussion / Financial Update
Jan/Feb ’23: Council Work Session – Draft East Mulberry Plan / Refined Assumptions
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 – presentation slides
Page 116 of 149
East Mulberry: Potential Annexation Lenses & Phasing
August 1, 2022
Council Finance Committee
Dave Lenz Page 117 of 149
2Agenda
1.Analysis Approach
2.Phasing Lenses
3.Scenarios / Comparisons
4.Considerations and Takeaways
5. Questions
Page 118 of 149
Potential Annexation Approaches 3
1 -Limit all annexation within enclave
•Would require an IGA update
2 -Annex individual properties as they develop
•Status quo, reactive approach
3 -Annex portions of enclave in phases
•Manage timing and sequencing of smaller annexations
4 -Annex entire enclave
Page 119 of 149
Phased Approach
Based on precedent from previous annexations, a phased approach is recommended to evaluate
potential annexation options and approaches.
•Allows for allocation of resources over time
•Allows time for potential revenue generation ahead of other phases
•Allows for better community engagement ahead of each phase
4
Page 120 of 149
Fiscal Impact Model 5
Annexation Area
Jobs Households
=Persons Served
+
Revenues Expenses Net Fiscal Impacts (Margin)
Operating:
Governmental
Property Tax
Sales/Use Tax
Fees/Permits/Charges
for Services
Utilities
Rate/fee revenue
Capital:
Governmental
CEF
TCEF
Utilities:
PIFs
Operating:
Governmental
Full suite of
governmental services
Utilities
L&P, Stormwater and
Broadband
Capital:
Governmental
Specific identified
projects (Parks)
Utilities:
L&P –connectivity
including acquisition
costs from existing
providers (PVREA/Xcel)
Broadband -Buildout
Stormwater –specific
identified projects
Operating:
Governmental
Annual Net Fiscal
Impacts
Total Net Fiscal Impacts
Utilities
Annual Net Fiscal
Impacts
Total Net Fiscal Impacts
Capital:
Governmental
Total Net Fiscal Impacts
Utilities
Total Net Fiscal Impacts
Page 121 of 149
6Financial Analysis Framework
•Separate analysis is provided for Governmental and Utilities.
•A Combined summary for total City-wide impact is provided.
•Expenses and revenues are calculated within the subarea designations
•Constant $ assumed (no rate, revenue or cost inflation is included in presented figures)
•20-year timeframe for the five Scenario comparisons:
•Summarized into 5-yr increments:
•Immediate, Short Term, Medium Term and Long Term
•A Longer-Term Alternative timeframe (35 yrs.) analysis is also included
•Additional operating costs, capital and asset management requirements will fall outside the
twenty-year timeframe.
Page 122 of 149
Safety
•I-25 and East Mulberry consistently noted as
an area where business success is partially
impeded by safety issues not adequately
addressed by current law enforcement
efforts
•actively requested to be annexed early to
mitigate law enforcement deficiencies
Aesthetics/Transportation
•Aesthetic improvements along the East
Mulberry frontage
•Hwy is dangerous to access by all
transportation modes
Stormwater Improvements
•The service-area/Industrial park southwest
of the old airport and directly east of Home
Depot and Walmart is severely affected by
stormwater infrastructure deficiencies and
flooding related to Dry Creek
Housing and Transit
•Mechanisms for affordable housing
preservation can be utilized in these
neighborhoods
•Investments in transportation mobility on key
corridors (e.g., Summit View)
Priorities by Subareas
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8Phasing Lenses
Phasing Lenses
Each lens focuses on one priority area. Other priority areas are still present
but might be delayed or resourced differently.
Emphasizes fiscal
impact to City of
annexation, including
existing priorities, risks,
and timing
Fiscal Health for
City
Emphasizes
environmental buffers,
flood mitigation
Environmental &
Hazard Protection
Emphasizes economic
development and vitality
in the area
Economic
Opportunity
Emphasizes
connectivity, utilities,
and other social
priorities
Residential
Enhancement
Community
Gateway
Emphasizes improvements
and reinvestment potential
for the Mulberry Corridor,
including the highway and
frontage roads
Page 124 of 149
Economically-Focused Phasing Option
•Prioritize the annexation of properties with
potential for new industrial and service
commercial uses
Phasing Assumptions
•Prioritizes the annexation of undeveloped
industrial land
•Prioritizes stormwater improvements to
benefit subareas 1, 4, and 5 to create potential
for new or renewed development.
Considerations
•Maximizes potential for new business
attraction through undeveloped land at the I-
25/Mulberry interchange and at the airpark
•Prioritizes support opportunities for existing
businesses from city programs and through
improvements to support existing areas
Economic
Opportunity
Page 125 of 149
Socially/Residential-Focused Scenario
•Prioritizes the annexation of existing
residential neighborhoods and improving
their quality of services and infrastructure.
Phasing Assumptions
•Prioritizes annexation from the south
(Subarea 2) and north (Subarea 5) with
Subarea 3 annexation to improve access.
•Prioritizes utilities’ investments to existing
and new residential areas
Considerations
•Addresses the interests and concerns of the
largest number of potential residents
•Could trigger the need for additional
investments in stormwater and road
improvements.
•May choose to address inequities in service
levels and quality of infrastructure
Residential
Enhancement
Page 126 of 149
•Prioritize the annexation of areas that need
improvements to address environmental and
hazard concerns.
Phasing Assumptions
•Prioritize annexation of Subareas 1, 2, and 4
to address stormwater issues
•Assumes faster business development
activity in Subareas 1 and 4.
Considerations
•Addresses hazard concerns and liabilities
•Greater upfront investment and doesn’t
maximize potential for new residential
development to support improvement costs
Environment &
Hazard Protection
Page 127 of 149
•Prioritize the annexation of property/subareas
that will generate revenues for capital and/or
on-going improvements in near term
Phasing Assumptions
•Prioritize annexation of Subarea 3 and 1 to
maximize utility service and tax revenue
•Light and Power (along with Broadband) built
on schedule that maximizes leverage with
other potential service extensions
Considerations
•increases property tax and sales tax growth
(indirect from new residents)
•Increases opportunity to recoup capital
expenditures
•City fiscal constraints may contribute to
longer timeframes in addressing interests and
concerns of area residents
Fiscal Health for
City
Page 128 of 149
Phasing Assumptions
•Prioritizes annexation of Subarea 3 and focus
on central portion of Subarea 1
Considerations
•Could lead to improvements along major city
gateway due to L&P & Broadband
investments upfront
•Provides more control over the Mulberry
Street in the short term, including sign code
and other Land Use Code standards
•Is likely to stimulate commercial infill and
redevelopment of underutilized sites
•Addresses health and safety concerns in the
Subareas 1 and 3.
•Could require some upfront stormwater
investment
•May address some of area resident concerns
over time, especially related to multi-modal
access along E Mulberry
•Improved residential neighborhood access to
the E Mulberry travel corridor is delayed
Community
Gateway
Page 129 of 149
14Scenario 5 (Community Gateway): Governmental Fiscal Impacts
Revenue $44
Expense $16
Margin $28
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $64
Expense $126
Margin ($63)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Operating:
•Average operating revenue,
expense and margin
compared to the other
scenarios
•Residential areas delayed
with the focus on E. Mulberry
business corridor
Capital:
•Average level of capital
revenue from extended
residential development
timeframes
Page 130 of 149
15Scenario 5 (Community Gateway): Utilities Fiscal Impacts
Utilities Operating Assumptions
•Includes operating costs of
infrastructure after takeover from
PVREA to Light & Power
•Cost recovery through rate
adjustments within the area
Utilities Capital Assumptions
•Assumes moderate upfront
investment in electrical infrastructure
and moves that to the second phase
of annexation
•Assumes new development attraction
due to upfront electrical infrastructure
investments
Revenue $10
Expense $138
Margin ($129)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $92
Expense $79
Margin $13
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Page 131 of 149
16Scenario Comparison: 20-year Combined Impact
Scenario 1 –Economic Opportunity –20 yrs.
($M)Gov’t.Utility Total Avg. / Yr.
Revenue $215 $242 $458 $23
Expense ($263)($325)($589)($29)
Margin ($48)($83)($131)($7)
Scenario 3 – Env. & Hazard Protection – 20 yrs.
($M)Gov’t.Utility Total Avg. / Yr.
Revenue $118 $131 $249 $12
Expense ($180)($240)($420)($21)
Margin ($62)($109)($171)($9)
Scenario 4 –Fiscal Health for City – 20 yrs.
($M)Gov’t.Utility Total Avg. / Yr.
Revenue $82 $77 $160 $8
Expense ($116)($199)($315)($16)
Margin ($34)($122)($155)($8)
Scenario 5 –Community Gateway – 20 yrs.
($M)Gov’t.Utility Total Avg. / Yr.
Revenue $108 $102 $209 $10
Expense ($142)($217)($360)($18)
Margin ($34)($115)($151)($8)
Scenario 2 –Residential Enhancement – 20 yrs.
($M)Gov’t.Utility Total Avg. / Yr.
Revenue $122 $121 $243 $12
Expense ($127)($231)($358)($18)
Margin ($5)($110)($115)($6)
Page 132 of 149
Baseline:
Extend Baseline analysis timeframe to 35 years
Maintain annexation phasing sequencing, timing and development horizon
Accelerated Absorption:
Maintain annexation sequencing
Accelerate timing and development horizon
Slower Absorption:
Maintain Annexation sequencing
Delay timing
Extend development horizon
17Alternative Analysis: Longer Term Evaluation Framework
Scenario 5 –Gateway Community
Page 133 of 149
18Alternative Analysis: Longer Term Evaluation Framework
Scenario 5 –Community Gateway –35 years
Baseline
($M)Gov’t.Utility Total – 35 yrs.Avg. / Yr.
Revenue $267 $322 $589 $17
Expense ($377)($466)($843)($24)
Margin ($110)($144)($254)($7)
Slower Absorption
($M)Gov’t.Utility Total – 35 yrs.Avg. / Yr.
Revenue $215 $240 $455 $13
Expense ($305)($380)($685)($20)
Margin ($90)($140)($230)($7)
Accelerated Absorption
($M)Gov’t.Utility Total – 35 yrs.Avg. / Yr.
Revenue $306 $404 $710 $20
Expense ($449)($554)($1,003)($29)
Margin ($143)($150)($293)($8)
Page 134 of 149
Governmental:
•No specific identified source available to fund requirements
•Council priorities / existing needs
•Ongoing revenue diversification discussions and BFO constraints
•Alternative funding mechanisms will continue to be investigated
Utilities:
•Capital and operating costs to be recovered through rate adjustments
•Requirements to pay existing providers for stranded assets or lost margins
•Question of how to share the burden between new and existing customers
19Funding Considerations
Governmental and Utility sectors will each require additional funding to pursue
potential annexation
Page 135 of 149
March/April:Council Work Sessions
Review East Mulberry Goals/Ideas & Scenario Framework
Annexation background and Growth Management Area
August:Council Finance Committee
Potential Annexation Lenses and Phasing
October:Council Finance Committee -Tentative
Touchpoint / Follow-up
November:Council Work Session
East Mulberry Plan Discussion / Financial Update
Jan / Feb ‘23:Council Work Session
Draft East Mulberry Plan / Refined Potential Annexation Assumptions
20Timeline / Next Steps
Page 136 of 149
Phased approach to potential annexation is recommended
Identification of source(s) of funding to cover funding gap is imperative and must be balanced
against existing needs and priorities
Timing of growth in development related revenues and expenses will remain a key uncertainty
21Summary
Key Take-Aways
Page 137 of 149
22Questions for Council
1.What aspects of each scenario would Council like to prioritize to further refine toward a
potential future annexation scenario?
2. What questions remain for Council regarding potential annexation phasing and timing?
Page 138 of 149
23
APPENDIX
Page 139 of 149
24Scenario 1 (Economic Opportunity): Governmental Fiscal Impacts
Operating:
•Quicker ramp up of
services in established
areas leads to quicker
expense build-up (police,
streets/traffic, other)
•Revenues build up from
existing residents &
businesses
•Large negative margin
Capital:
•Includes investments in
new parks keyed to
resident increases over
time
•Revenue increases delayed
with later residential
development timeframe
Revenue $73
Expense $162
Margin ($89)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $38
Expense $16
Margin $22
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Page 140 of 149
25Scenario 1 (Economic Opportunity): Utilities Fiscal Impacts
Operating:
•Assumes current rate structure
applied to all customers
•Assumes similar operating cost
structure to current averages
Capital:
•Front loads capital investment
by bringing L&P & broadband
infrastructure through the E
Mulberry corridor
•Allows City to collect PIFs for
new development
•Acquisition costs (loss of
revenues or stranded
investments) to be recouped
through rate adjustments
Revenue $110
Expense $94
Margin $16
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $9
Expense $138
Margin ($129)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Page 141 of 149
26Scenario 2 (Residential Enhancement): Governmental Fiscal Impacts
Revenue $62
Expense $111
Margin ($49)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $60
Expense $16
Margin $44
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Operating:
•Slower ramp up of services
in established areas leads
to slower expense build-up
(police, streets/traffic, other)
•Revenues build up slower
from existing residents &
businesses
•Relatively smaller negative
margin
Capital:
•Accelerated new residential
development provides
highest level of capital
revenue from subarea 5
Page 142 of 149
27Scenario 2 (Residential Enhancement): Utilities Fiscal Impacts
Operating
•Similar annual operating margins
as in Scenario 1
Capital
•Assumes moderate upfront
investment for acquisition of
existing electrical infrastructure
•Assumes little new development
in existing residential areas
•Assumes large investment in
L&P and broadband internet in
last phase (subareas 1 and 4)
•Development PIFs increase with
earlier residential buildout
Revenue $111
Expense $92
Margin $18
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $10
Expense $138
Margin ($128)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Page 143 of 149
28Scenario 3 (Environment & Hazard Protection): Governmental Fiscal Impacts
Capital
•Similar to Scenario 1, quicker
ramp up of services in established
areas leads to quicker expense
build-up (police, streets/traffic,
other)
•Revenues build up from existing
residents & businesses
•Large negative margin
Capital
•Accelerated park development
•Similar development profile to
Scenario 1 provides delayed
revenue increase
Revenue $76
Expense $164
Margin ($89)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $42
Expense $16
Margin $26
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Page 144 of 149
29Scenario 3 (Environmental & Hazard Protection): Utilities Fiscal Impacts
Operating
•Highest total operating
margins from bringing on
existing business customers
early
Capital
•Assumes significant upfront
investment in infrastructure to
get new L&P and broadband
service out to businesses
within the I-25 gateway area
•New development revenues
spurred by these upfront
investments
Revenue $120
Expense $102
Margin $19
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $11
Expense $138
Margin ($128)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Page 145 of 149
30Scenario 4 (Fiscal Health for City): Governmental Fiscal Impacts
Revenue $52
Expense $100
Margin ($48)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $30
Expense $16
Margin $14
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Operating:
•Lowest level expense levels,
with slower ramp up of
services in established
areas, leads to slower
expense build-up (police,
streets/traffic, other).
Revenues build up slower
from existing residents &
businesses
•Relatively smaller negative
margin (similar to Scenario 2)
Capital:
•Lowest level of capital
revenue from extended
development timeframes
Page 146 of 149
31Scenario 4 (Fiscal Health for City): Utilities Fiscal Impacts
Revenue $70
Expense $61
Margin $9
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Revenue $7
Expense $138
Margin ($131)
Totals - 20 yrs. ($M)
Operating
•Lowest total operating margin
from bringing on customers
slowly
Capital
•Initial Infrastructure focused
along the E Mulberry corridor
•Similar capital profile to Scenario
2
Page 147 of 149
32Scenario Comparison: Governmental Fiscal Impacts
Operating Margin ($M)
Immediate Short Term Medium Term Long Term Total –20 Yrs.
Scenario 1 –Economic Opportunity ($13)($20)($23)($32)($89)
Scenario 2 –Residential Enhancement ($4)($10)($11)($24)($49)
Scenario 3 – Env. & Hazard Protection ($12)($20)($24)($32)($89)
Scenario 4 –Fiscal Health for City ($4)($7)($10)($27)($48)
Scenario 5 –Gateway Community ($4)($7)($21)($31)($63)
Capital Margin ($M)
Immediate Short Term Medium Term Long Term Total –20 Yrs.
Scenario 1 –Economic Opportunity $3 ($0)$8 $11 $22
Scenario 2 –Residential Enhancement $3 $15 $15 $12 $44
Scenario 3 – Env. & Hazard Protection ($3)$1 $9 $19 $26
Scenario 4 –Fiscal Health for City $1 ($3)$6 $10 $14
Scenario 5 –Gateway Community $1 ($3)$17 $13 $28
Page 148 of 149
33Scenario Comparison: Utilities Fiscal Impacts
Operating Margin ($M)
Immediate Short Term Medium Term Long Term Total –20 Yrs.
Scenario 1 –Economic Opportunity $1 $3 $5 $7 $16
Scenario 2 –Residential Enhancement $1 $3 $5 $8 $18
Scenario 3 – Env. & Hazard Protection $1 $4 $6 $8 $19
Scenario 4 –Fiscal Health for City $0 $1 $3 $6 $9
Scenario 5 –Gateway Community $0 $1 $4 $8 $13
Capital Margin ($M)
Immediate Short Term Medium Term Long Term Total –20 Yrs.
Scenario 1 –Economic Opportunity ($68)($42)$2 ($22)($129)
Scenario 2 –Residential Enhancement ($36)($15)$2 ($80)($128)
Scenario 3 – Env. & Hazard Protection ($94)($18)$3 ($19)($128)
Scenario 4 –Fiscal Health for City ($29)($43)$2 ($61)($131)
Scenario 5 –Gateway Community ($29)($43)($42)($16)($129)
Page 149 of 149