HomeMy WebLinkAboutPACKET Joint Town Board Study Session 2023-09-26TOWN OF ESTES PARK BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BOARD OF LARIMER COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Joint Study Session
No public comment will be heard
Tuesday, September 26, 20 23
4:30 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.
TO BE HELD VIRTUALLY
This study session will be streamed live and will be available on the Town
YouTube page at www.estes.org/videos.
Agenda
I.Introductions.
II.Visit Estes Park Operating Plan. (CEO Franker)
III.Proposed 6E Funding Plan. (Deputy Town Administrator Damweber & Manager
Bangs)
I V.Trustee & Administrator Comments & Questions.
V.Future Study Session Agenda Items. (Board Discussion)
VI.Adjourn for Town Board Meeting.
NOTE: The Town Board and County Commissioners reserve the right to consider other appropriate items not available at the time the
agenda was prepared.
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Presentation
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S
OFFICE Report
To: Honorable Mayor Koenig
Board of Trustees
Through: Town Administrator Machalek
From: Carlie Bangs, Housing & Childcare Manager
Date: September 26, 2023
RE: Proposed 6E Funding Plan
Purpose of Study Session Item:
Joint study session with the Larimer County Commissioners to consider the proposed
2024 Annual Workforce and Childcare Funding Plan for Lodging (6E) funds.
Town Board Direction Requested:
Consider the proposed 2024 Workforce and Childcare Funding Plan and provide
direction.
Present Situation:
The 2023 Workforce and Childcare Funding Plan was approved in February 2023. This
annual funding plan must be presented to both the Town Board and Board of County
Commissioners for approval. The purpose of the 2024 Funding Plan is to outline the use
of the Lodging Tax Extension funds for workforce housing and childcare. The timeline
for the annual Funding Plan approval is as follows:
Summer:
o Town Board engages in Strategic Planning Process which will inform the
development of the next year’s budget.
August:
o Town Staff works with Visit Estes Park to determine projected revenues for
upcoming year; develops report on current year expenditures.
o Town staff develops recommended Funding Plan for Workforce and Childcare
Lodging Tax funds to be included in proposed VEP Annual Operating Plan.
September:
o Larimer County, Town, VEP Boards consider VEP operating plan, including
recommended Workforce and Childcare Lodging Tax Plan budget.
October-December:
o Town files proposed Funding Plan with the County by November 1.
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o Town Board adopts Town budget, including budget for Workforce Housing and
Childcare Lodging Tax funds.
o County Approves or requests changes to Funding Plan by December 1.
Proposal:
Staff propose that the Town Board and Board of County Commissioners provide
direction for changes to the 2024 Funding Plan prior to final consideration and approval.
Advantages:
•Approval of the Funding Plan will provide staff with direction regarding next steps on the
allocation and expenditure of lodging tax funds to address workforce housing and
childcare issues in the Estes Valley.
Disadvantages:
•None
Finance/Resource Impact:
Revenue from Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax 270-0000-316.10-00
Level of Public Interest
Moderate. A public Key Stakeholder meeting was conducted on September 6, 2023 to
provide feedback, which was attended by 23 people and 11 participant surveys were
received.
Attachments:
1.Proposed 2024 Annual Workforce Housing and Childcare Funding Plan. – To be
Provided 09-22-2023
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2024 Workforce Housing and Childcare Funding Plan Page | 1
2024 Workforce Housing and Childcare Funding Plan
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to outline how the Workforce and Childcare Lodging Tax funds
(6E) will be passed through to the Town and allocated to address workforce housing and
childcare issues in 2024, how the funds will be administered and for what purpose. This
document is designed to report and summarize the use of the funds from the previous year
while creating a strategic framework for the future.
Overview
In November 2022, residents of the Visit Estes Park Local Marketing District voted to approve
Ballot Initiative 6E to increase the total lodging tax rate from 2% to 5.5%. This increase in tax
supplies approximately $5 million in funds to address workforce housing and childcare needs in
the Estes Valley. Prior to the election, a high-level framework outlined the intentions of how
funding could be used to address these issues and how they might be administered if the
measure passed. The Board of Visit Estes Park determined prior to the election that it would
prefer to serve as a “pass-through” of the funds and rely on the Town of Estes Park, in
coordination with Larimer County, to decide how to administer them. In February 2023, the
Intergovernmental agreement with Larimer County for the Estes Park Local Marketing District
was amended to address the Lodging Tax (6E) funds and voted upon by the Town Board.
In 2023 the budgeted revenues from the Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax to be
passed through Visit Estes Park to the Town of Estes Park were estimated to be $5,379,305.
The Town began receiving funds in March 2023 (remittances take about three months to be
processed and sent to the Town) and as of the drafting of this document, the town has received
$1,918,211. Because of the delay in receiving actual funds, this only accounts for lodging tax
revenues through June 2023. We still expect to receive close to what was initially budgeted.
In addition to the funds received through the Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax, the
Town contributed funds from its own budget to begin addressing the workforce housing and
childcare needs as soon as possible. These funds were used for the same purposes as the
Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds while waiting for the tax funds to be
received. Those funds are not included in this report or plan for 2024 because, as strictly Town
funds, they are not subject to the same process outlined herein. However, it is worth noting that
the Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan will be funded through the Childcare
Reserve Fund. We expect that this report will supply essential data and strategies to direct the
Attachment 1
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2024 Workforce Housing and Childcare Funding Plan Page | 2
use of the Lodging Tax Funds to address our childcare challenges. The last Childcare Needs
Assessment was conducted in 2017 and did not supply a strategic plan.
The Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax supports the position of the Town’s new
Housing and Childcare Manager, who administers the funds and coordinates with community
partners while ensuring that all funding decisions are made in accordance with the
Intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the County and Town of Estes Park, as well as
that year’s approved Funding Plan. This position with the Town of Estes Park was filled in
August of 2023.
In addition to the creation of the Housing and Childcare Manager role, the Town entered a
memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Estes Park Housing Authority to formalize that
government entity to administer and use the Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax
funds dedicated to workforce housing.
The process to execute a new MOU with the Estes Park Housing Authority and the time to hire
a Housing and Childcare Manager reinforced the predicted expectation that 2023 would be a
“building year.” The Estes Park Housing Authority is still in the process of trying to recruit two
new positions necessary to develop and administer new housing programs and plan for new
development. Those positions are currently being advertised. As of September 2023, significant
steps have been taken to form a solid foundation for action in late 2023 and into 2024.
2023 Funding Summary
The 2023 Annual Funding Plan was approved in February 2023. The following sections
describe how the funds were distributed for childcare and workforce housing throughout the
year up until the drafting of this report in August 2023. To date, $4,203,760 has been either
distributed/spent or is slated for distribution/expenditure. Any unspent funds will be either be
spent in 2024 or held in reserve for future use on workforce housing and childcare. It should be
noted that while we budgeted for revenues in the amount of $5,379,305, we will not actually
receive at least two months’ worth of funding until March and April of 2024 due to the
aforementioned remittance lags.
Childcare
The 2023 Fund Plan included additional breakdown of funds for childcare into the following
subcategories:
Purpose of Funds Estimated Budget
Addressing Workforce Challenges $250,000
Facilities/Capital $200,000
Tuition Assistance/Scholarships $100,000
Out-of-School Programming $75,000
Total $625,000
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In February 2023, Policy 227: Workforce and Attainable Housing Funding Guidelines and Policy
225: Childcare Funding Guidelines were updated. The Childcare Funding Guidelines inform
financial decisions related to childcare challenges and includes a Childcare Funding Application,
which allows childcare providers to request funding from Town.
This application process allowed two childcare centers in the Estes Valley to apply for funds and
were awarded grants to support staff recruitment and retention totaling $29,500. In addition to
the grants, EVICS Family Resource Center was awarded $100,000 to fund Tuition Assistance,
half of which went toward staff who are implementing the program and serve as a “tuition
assistance navigator” for families. To date, $129,500 in Lodging Tax Funds has been distributed
in the Estes Valley during 2023 to support childcare needs upon the drafting of this report.
Additional funding request applications have been received upon the drafting of this report and it
is expected that additional funds will be distributed before the end of the year.
Workforce Housing
The Town of Estes Park and the Estes Park Housing Authority entered a memorandum of
understanding in July 2023 to transfer the workforce housing portion of the Workforce Housing
and Childcare Lodging Tax funds received by the Town. EPHA has authority to make
purchasing decisions as outlined in the MOU to administer and manage the various programs
presented in the Annual Funding Plan. To oversee the development and programs needed in
the administration of the Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds, the Housing
Authority has created and opened two positions. Increasing staffing capacity with these two
positions, a Housing Program Manager and a Real Estate Development Manager, will play a
critical role in the ability to provide solutions to the workforce housing needs in the Estes Valley.
The 2023 revenues budgeted to go toward workforce housing was $4,750,000. Per the 2023
Fund Plan, the funds are broken down into additional subcategories to include programs,
staffing needs, and property acquisition, as noted in the table below.
Purpose of Funds Estimated Budget
Property Acquisition Reserve (Land-banking, financing, etc.) $1,500,000
Cash Buyer Program/Rental Assistance $1,500,000
Predevelopment work for property already in real estate portfolio $900,000
Deed Restriction Purchase Program $500,000
Staffing/Capacity Building at EPHA $350,000
Total $4,750,000
Upon drafting this report, the Estes Park Housing Authority has requested a change in the
allocation of funds within the described subcategories. In their role, EPHA must respond quickly
to market opportunities to preserve and create additional housing options. Timing is essential to
taking advantage of these opportunities. The confinement of subcategories inhibits their ability
to carry out their mission and acquire property with Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging
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2024 Workforce Housing and Childcare Funding Plan Page | 4
Tax funds. This reasoning is true for workforce housing needs, as well as childcare, and is why
the 2024 Funding Plan does not have as constraining subcategories with specific allotment of
dollar amounts.
With the Housing Strategic Plan and Needs Assessment published in 2023, updated data from
the previous report in 2017 reflected a continuation of need for housing in the Estes Valley and
provided clear projections of needed development. The Housing Strategic Plan identified a 5 -
year target of developing between 300-400 dwellings, in addition to proposing several strategies
to preserve or convert the use of existing housing stock to meet those needs.
In 2023, Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds were primarily used for land
acquisition, pre-development of property, and engineering and development expenses. The
majority of funds, nearly $2.5 million, are allocated to land acquisition and development. In
addition to that, $225,500 was used as a down payment and $30,000 for carrying costs to
purchase a property and pre-development costs that will provide 10-12 townhome style homes
deed restricted to the local workforce, as well as income restricted. Another $620,000 was
administered for development expenses of Castle Ridge Development. Castle Ridge
Development will provide an estimated 30 townhome style units which will be deed restricted to
the local workforce, as well as income restricted. The Estes Park Housing Authority acquired
land and property in 2023 that will allow for the opportunity to begin development of
approximately 281 housing units in 2024.
The Town of Estes Park intends to leverage Workforce Housing and Childcare Tax funds, by
opting in to Proposition 123. This will allow for the Town to submit for funding from several
programs born from this funding source which will expand funds to develop housing in the Estes
Valley. The Town of Estes Park submitted Letters of Interest for the Department of Local Affairs
(DOLA) Strong Communities Infrastructure Grant and the Transformational Housing Grant for
this purpose.
2024 Funding Plan
The 2024 Funding Plan is based on information and data gleaned from foundational documents
such as the 2023 Housing Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan, the Childcare and Housing
Task force recommendations, the 6E Framework and the 2023 Funding Plan. In addition to
these documents, a Key Stakeholder meeting mostly focused on childcare supplied robust
feedback that also helped inform the 2024 Funding Plan. At this meeting, Town staff and Estes
Park Housing Authority conducted a public meeting with key stakeholders throughout Estes
Valley and Larimer County. The virtual meeting had 23 attendees and provided survey feedback
from 11 participants. The valuable insight from this meeting was included in the decision making
and planning of the 2024 Funding Plan.
The Housing and Childcare Manager was hired in August 2023. This position is responsible for
facilitating decision-making and ensuring that agreements with recipients of any Lodging Tax
Funds are drafted, negotiated, and executed per the ballot language. This includes the
Intergovernmental Agreement with Larimer County whereby the Town and County agree on the
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process for decision-making, professional service agreements with partners/contractors
providing services relating to the creation of workforce housing and provision of childcare
services, and the agreement made with the Estes Park Housing Authority. There are also new
and updated policy decisions related to childcare that need to be made which will inform
program development, eligibility requirements, etc. The Housing and Childcare Manager worked
with the Estes Park Housing Authority, local childcare providers, the EVICS Family Resource
Center, the School District, the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County, Boys & Girls Club of
Larimer County, and several other key stakeholders on the creation of this report and Annual
Funding Plan.
Funding Allocations
The following proposed budget breakdown demonstrates how the Workforce Housing and
Childcare Lodging Tax funds will directly and strategically support childcare and workforce
housing needs in the Estes Valley, while allowing for flexibility to respond to needs as they
arise. All dollar figures are approximations contingent on several factors including actual
collections each year. The timing of collections impacts how much can be spent and at what
point in the year. Once received, funds roll into their designated category of workforce housing
or childcare. Funds received in 2023 but not distributed will roll into a reserve fund balance to be
used in 2024 or held in reserve for future use on workforce housing and childcare. Unknown
funding requests are expected prior to the end of 2023 that will lower the estimated fund
balance in both childcare and workforce housing in 2024.
The 2024 Funding Plan does not have designated dollar amounts outlined in subcategories
under Workforce Housing or Childcare so that funds may be shifted during the year depending
on opportunities that present themselves (e.g., for property acquisition if something becomes
available on the market). Flexibility and responsiveness to childcare and workforce housing
needs is essential to being solutions focused. Staff from the Town and the Estes Park Housing
Authority quickly realized that while in the early developmental stages there is a need for greater
flexibility within each category. Programs and processes continue to be developed upon the
drafting of this plan that innately have a level of uncertainty. Until we have a firmer grasp on how
to best target funds to address our community’s needs (and in anticipation of the results of the
Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan), we will want to allow ourselves flexibility
within each of the categories. We expect that as we continue to gather information, and
programs and processes are honed, the budget will “firm up” year after year and allow the Town
and the Estes Park Housing Authority to present a more exact budget proposal each year.
For budgeting and planning purposes, the 2024 proposed budget allocations from the
Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax will breakdown the same as the 2023 Funding
Plan:
●Workforce Housing: $4,750,000
●Childcare: $625,000
For the 2024 Funding Plan, it is estimated that $400,000 will carry over to a fund balance for
childcare needs and the Estes Park Housing Authority projects approximately $675,000 will
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carryover for workforce housing and remain unallocated to any subcategory but may be spent to
support any allowable workforce housing purpose under the applicable statute.
Childcare
Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds, along with the Town’s direct
contributions, will be used to address the varied challenges faced by families in need of
childcare, as well as the workforce challenges providers, early childhood teachers and support
staff experience. Childcare will receive 12% of the expected revenue from the Workforce
Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds, estimated to be $625,000.
It is important to note that the estimated revenue and budget for childcare is an approximation
and is subject to change based on needs and opportunities that arise, and that all funds may not
be spent each year but may carry over to the following year into a fund balance. When
considering current and anticipated funding requests before end-of-year, the fund balance
expected in 2024 is estimated to be approximately $400,000 bringing the total funds to support
childcare solutions to $1,025,000. The roll-over funds may be spent to support any allowable
childcare purpose under the applicable statute.
Funding decisions are made based on evaluation of need in the community and consideration of
maximizing the impact of Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds for the Estes
Valley Community. Decisions regarding distribution will be made consistent with the Town’s
adopted Childcare Funding Guidelines, while specifics will be informed by the upcoming
Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan expected to be transmitted to the Town in the
spring of 2024. Further, with the Housing and Childcare Manager now onboard we can begin
developing programs to ensure that funds are distributed in an equitable and transparent
manner, and so that childcare providers can have some idea of what they can expect to receive
based on the services they provide.
The four subcategories presented in the 2023 Funding Plan remain very relevant and will be
addressed strategically as follows:
Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance continues to be a prioritized need for Estes Valley families. During the
community stakeholders meeting, the participants reiterated that Tuition Assistance should be
prioritized to receive additional funding support in upcoming years.
In 2023, EVICS Family Resource Center was identified as the partner community organization
to administer tuition assistance for families in the Estes Valley in coordination with Larimer
County. Funds will be directly provided to EVICS to create a “pool” to supply needed tuition
assistance for eligible families. Through a professional service agreement, EVICS will receive
funds to offset the costs of administering the program. Town staff will audit funds and evaluate
the agreement with EVICS annually to determine efficiency and the approach to administering
tuition assistance to the Estes Valley community.
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It is worth noting the ardent desire by stakeholders to increase Tuition Assistance eligibility
requirements for families in the Estes Valley. In collaboration with EVICS Family Resource
Center, Early Childhood Council of Larimer County, and by using the data gathered from the
Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan, a proposal to increase the eligibility
requirements for Tuition Assistance will be presented to the Town Board in 2024 for
consideration.
Addressing Workforce Challenges
Funding programs to support childcare providers and early childhood teachers and support staff
is needed to stabilize our workforce. Programs be developed to help bridge the gap between
what providers can afford to pay staff and what is considered to be a reasonable living wage in
the Estes Valley. Pilot programs such as yearly stipends, recruitment bonuses, and retention
programs will be examined as solutions to this need in 2024. A strong focus will be placed on
eligibility requirements of such programs.
Grants to provide funding for costs associated with housing staff, addressing transportation
needs of staff and/or children will be available through the Childcare Funding Guidelines and
Funding application process. Depending on the specific need of the applicant, the project may
likely be funded through the fund balance.
The year-round fluctuation of the local economy affects all of our workforce, but especially
negatively impacts childcare providers. As the Estes Park economy shifts throughout the year,
work schedules, income, and childcare needs change as well. Dips in enrollment at childcare
centers and home providers affect the providers financial stability, as well as the needed
consistent care for children. A yearly subsidy for providers to support operational costs will be
examined as a priority pilot program and presented to the Town Board in 2024 for consideration.
The framework for programs such as these exists throughout the state and country. It is
essential to work with local and county partners to ensure we are not duplicating services or
programs, rather expanding upon them to meet the unique needs of our local Estes Valley
workforce.
Out-of-School Programming
Childcare for school age children during the summer months, after and/or before school, and on
out-of-school days like Teacher Professional Development days, will be subsidized through the
Childcare Funding Guidelines and Funding application process for entities that provide such
care within the Estes Valley.
Ongoing and large scale Out-of-School programming needs will be defined with the Childcare
Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan and outline long term planning and support for such
care. Collaboration with existing local organizations will support this planning.
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Capital and Facilities
The Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan will provide the necessary insight into long
term capital and facility needs for the Estes Valley and describe the role that Workforce Housing
and Childcare Lodging Tax funds will play in addressing that need. Because a fund balance will
exist in 2024, the Town will be in a position to react to the priority actions presented in the
Strategic Plan related to larger capital expenses. Likely, many of the funds for capital and facility
will come from the fund balance created by the roll-over funds.
Requests for funding for facilities and capital-related expenditures by community providers will
be made using an application process administered by the Town. Depending on the size of the
request, award decisions may be made administratively (less than $10,000) or by the Town
Board.
Subsidies to providers for capital improvements and facilities are expected be unique and
administered on a case-by-case basis to the individual grant applicant, but may be used for:
●Financial assistance to childcare providers wishing to purchase a facility for childcare.
●Rental assistance for providers.
●Funding for capital improvements to existing facilities needed in order to open or to
maintain or increase capacity.
Again, it will be especially important to work with our state and county partners to ensure we are
not duplicating existing services and grant opportunities, rather the Workforce Housing and
Childcare Lodging Tax funds are expanding on them to serve the needs of the local community
and workforce.
Workforce Housing
The Estes Park Housing Authority (EPHA) exists to create and facilitate housing development
opportunities in the Estes Valley. EPHA currently has staff and programs in place to utilize
Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds to address workforce housing challenges
in the immediate term. In July 2023, the Town entered a memorandum of understanding to
transfer the workforce housing portion of the Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax
funds received by the Town. EPHA has authority to make purchasing decisions as outlined in
the MOU to administer and manage the various programs presented in the Annual Funding
Plan. All expenditures by the EPHA will be subject to regular audits.
Again, it is important to note that the estimated revenue and budget for childcare is an
approximation and is subject to change based on opportunities that arise, and that all funds may
not be spent each year but may carry over to the following year. The Estes Park Housing
Authority was created by the Town and is a formal governmental entity. The EPHA Board
Members are appointed by the Town Board, and it is subject to the same auditing requirements
as other public entities in Colorado.
Funding decisions are made based on evaluation of need in the community and consideration of
maximizing the impact of Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds for the Estes
Valley Community. Decisions regarding distribution will be made in collaboration with the Estes
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Park Housing Authority and specifics are informed by the Housing Needs Assessment and
Strategic Plan, which was transmitted to the Town and EPHA in January 2023 and the Annual
Housing Supply Plan drafted by EPHA, which provides insight into the organization’s future
planning.
Property Acquisition Reserve
The 2023 Housing Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan has informed the specifics for
strategic administration of the Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds and is a
priority for the development of new housing units for the Estes Park Housing Authority.
Therefore, the Estes Park Housing Authority projects $2.5 million for property acquisition in
202 4 and based on this projection that dollar amount will be set aside for that purpose.
Predevelopment work for property already in real estate portfolio
Estes Park Housing Authority projects the creation of approximately 281 units through the
development of four capital development projects beginning in 2024. These projects are either
under the direct control of the Estes Park Housing Authority or the Town of Estes Park.
Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds, in partnership with various Prop 123
initiatives, will support the development of these projects.
Property owned by the Town of Estes Park slated for concept work and possibly the
development of housing in upcoming years include the Fish Hatchery Housing Development,
179 Stanley Circle Drive, and the Dry Gulch property. The collaboration between the Town and
EPHA will allow for efficient planning and development of these properties. The Fish Hatchery
Housing Development has been in predevelopment since 2021, but the Town stepped back
from pursuing a workforce rental development at that location due to changes in the financial
market, construction costs, and market demand. EPHA and the Town will continue working
together to jumpstart a redevelopment of mixed income workforce housing at the site. EPHA
anticipates pursuing Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) to develop the site in
coordination with development partners. That funding process will dictate the timing and ability
to begin construction of this project in 2024.
Deed Restriction Purchase Program
Upon the hiring of the Housing Program Manager, Estes Park Housing Authority will conduct a
robust review of deed restriction programs and develop a program that fits the needs of Estes
Valley residents. The primary goal of any deed restriction program will be to preserve existing
home inventory for use by the local workforce. $1.05 million to go toward this program and its
development in 2024.
Cash Buyer and Rental Assistance
Estes Park Housing Authority will also begin an exploratory process to evaluate the potential
efficacy and feasibility of a cash buyer program upon the hiring of the Housing Program
Manager. The program could allow EPHA to be a cash buyer for open market properties on
behalf of identified and approved local workforce buyers. The pre-approved buyers would then
have 90 days to close on the final sale. The Estes Park Housing Authority will utilize $700,000
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of Workforce Housing and Childcare Tax funds to investigate the tools and processes
necessary to activate a program of this nature in 2024.
Staffing/Capacity Building
In addition to developing assistance programs such as those listed above, the Workforce
Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds will significantly increase EPHA’s workforce housing
development throughout the Estes Valley. To meet the need for new workforce housing
developments, as well as the need to preserve or convert existing housing stock, the Estes Park
Housing Authority will expand their staffing with two additional positions. Upon the drafting of
this report, the positions are open and posted. The Housing Program Manager position will
facilitate the development of new housing programs, such as enhanced down payment
assistance, deed restriction purchasing, ADU incentives and other housing programs to
increase and preserve the stock of attainable housing for our local workforce. The second
position of Real Estate Development Manager will take the lead role in managing new
development, rehabilitation, and land banking for the Estes Park Housing Authority.
The Estes Park Housing Authority is primed to address the needs of workforce housing in the
Estes Valley with the addition of these two staff positions and the available funds to acquire
property with the funds provided by the Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax revenue.
Assistance programs will allow the additional housing supply to be more accessible to our
community members.
Decision Making
Funding decisions are made based on evaluation of need in the community and consideration of
maximizing the impact of Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds. All funding
decisions will be made in accordance with the Intergovernmental Agreement between Larimer
County and the Town of Estes Park and the adopted Annual Funding Plan (including this plan
for 2024).
With respect to spending decisions made by the Town, Workforce Housing and Childcare
funding policies dictating eligibility for awards and how they can be used have been adopted by
the Town Board. These policies are informed by the Town’s existing finance policy, which limits
administrative purchasing authority to $100,000 or less, as well as existing Workforce Housing
and Childcare funding guidelines. New fund accounts have been established within the Town
budget for Workforce Housing and Childcare. Workforce Housing funds are transferred to the
Estes Park Housing Authority on a monthly basis as remittances are received.
2024 and Beyond
In 2022, Estes Valley constituents requested direct support for childcare and workforce housing
from our visitors to help support the vibrancy of our community. With the passing of Ballot
Initiative 6E to redirect Lodging Tax funds to childcare and housing, the community turned to the
Town of Estes Park to plan, develop, and execute strategies that will foster a more diverse,
inclusive, and vibrant community ready to welcome our visitors. With affordable and attainable
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housing and childcare, our community can thrive and in turn our visitors will have a more
enjoyable experience and Estes Park will have a more vibrant and sustainable economy.
The Town of Estes Park and the Estes Park Housing Authority have a vested responsibility to
be proper stewards of these funds. There are many variations of successful programs to
support childcare and housing that can be replicated from communities across the state of
Colorado and the nation, however, Estes Park has unique needs that will require unique
solutions. The Workforce Housing and Childcare Lodging Tax funds provide an opportunity to
meet those needs creatively and offer sustainable solutions.
The 2023 Housing Strategic Plan and Needs Assessment and the future Childcare Needs
Assessment and Strategic Plan will provide strategic action items that will facilitate data driven
decision making. Once we have the results of the Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic
Plan, Town staff, in coordination with community partners, will be developing a longer-term
strategic plan (e.g. a five-year plan that interweaves housing and childcare and outlines specific
desired outcomes and metrics of success. Childcare and workforce housing issues inherently
go hand-in-hand and primarily affect the workforce and young families in the Estes Valley. As
solutions are developed, the holistic understanding of how these issues are intertwined is
essential to long term success and sustainability of the programs. The Housing Strategic Plan
provides a vision where “working age households have stable, desirable housing in the Estes
Valley enabling them to support our local economy, provide essential services, and thrive as
vital members of our community,” which could be easily broadened to include childcare.
In 2024, we will be developing a more formal strategic plan that includes desired outcomes with
specific metrics for success for both workforce housing and childcare.
At a high level, desired outcomes include:
•Improving availability and affordability of housing and childcare for the workforce.
•Increasing the preservation and creation of workforce housing units.
•Creating housing that is desirable, compatible, and affordable for the long term and have close
proximity to childcare centers.
•Matching housing investments with areas of greatest need in the workforce community.
•Providing early childhood teachers and staff with a livable wage so that they are able to live and
work in the Estes Valley.
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2024 Workforce Housing and Childcare Funding Plan Page | 12
Process for Development of the Annual Workforce and Childcare Funding Plan for
Lodging Tax (6E) Funds
The graphic below outlines the high-level steps in the process for development of the 2024
Funding Plan and for future years. The process will be revisited annually in coordination with
Larimer County. Changes to the process can be made at any time based on mutual agreement
of the Town and County.
Summer
Aug
•Town staff works with Visit Estes Park to determine projected revenues for upcomingyear; develops report on current year expenditures.
•Town staff develops recommended Funding Plan for Workforce and ChildcareLodging Tax funds to be included in proposed VEP Annual Operating Plan.
Sept
•Larimer County/Town/VEP Boards consider VEP operating plan, includingrecommended Workforce and Childcare Lodging Tax Plan budget.
Oct-Dec
•Town files proposed Funding Plan with the County by November 1.
•Town Board adopts Town budget, including budget for Workforce and ChildcareLodging Tax funds.
•County approves or requests changes to Funding Plan by December 1.
•Town Board engages in Strategic Planning Process which will inform thedevelopment of the next year’s budget.
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10/3/2023
2024 Annual Funding Plan
Proposed Workforce Housing and Childcare Funding Plan
Carlie Bangs
Housing & Childcare Manager
Town of Estes Park
October-December
Town files proposed Funding
Plan with the County by
November 1.
Town Board adopts Town
budget, including the budget
for Workforce and Childcare
Lodging Tax funds.
County approves or requests
changes to Funding Plan by
December 1.
September
Larimer County, Town
and VEP Board
considers VEP Annual
Operating Plan,
including recommended
Workforce and
Childcare Lodging Tax
Plan budget.
August
Town Staff works with Visit
Estes Park to determine
projected revenues for
upcoming year; develops
report on current year
expenditures
Town staff develops
recommended Funding Plan
for Workforce and Childcare
Lodging Tax funds to be
included in proposed VEP
Annual Operating Plan.
Summer
Town Board engages in
Strategic Planning Process
which will inform the
development of the next
year’s budget
Annual Timeline
1
2
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10/3/2023
●Budgeted revenues estimated to be $5,379,305
●MOU with Estes Park Housing Authority
●Hired Housing & Childcare Manager
●Administering of funds
2023 Report
Year One: Building a Foundation
●Housing and Childcare Manager
position
●EPHA MOU signed in July
●Childcare Needs Assessment and
Strategic Plan RFP
●Seeking additional Staff at EPHA to
assist in stewarding 6E funded projects
●Purchased property at 775 Riverside
and under contract with a second
●Create foundational processes and
systems for disseminating childcare
funds
o Community Grants
○Subsidy Programs
●Seeking outside funding resources:
○Opting in Prop 123
○Letter of Interest for Strong
Communities Grant
○Letter of Interest for Transformational
Housing Grant
○Land Banking Letter of Interest and
Invitation to Apply (Prop 123)
3
4
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10/3/2023
2023 in Review Childcare
$625,000
●Addressing Workforce Challenges
●Facilities/Capital
●Tuition Assistance/Scholarships
●Out-of-School Programming
2023 Distribution of Funds
As of 9/20/2023
Expected DistributionEstimated BudgetPurpose of Funds
$29,500$250,000Addressing Workforce Challenges
-$200,000Facilities/Capital
$100,000$100,000Tuition Assistance/Scholarships
$75,000 request$75,000Out-of-School Programming
$129,500$625,000Total
5
6
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10/3/2023
2023 in Review Workforce Housing
$4,750,000
●Property Acquisition Reserve (Land-
banking, financing, etc)
●Cash Buyer Program/Rental
Assistance
●Predevelopment Work
●Deed Restriction Purchase Program
●Staffing/Capacity Building at EPHA
○Up to 3 FTEs and associated
overhead
2023 Distribution of Funds
**Pending approval of reallocation of funds
As of 9/20/2023
Expected DistributionBudgetedPurpose of Funds
$2,655,500**$1,500,000Property Acquisition
$200,000$1,500,000Cash Buyer Program/Rental Assistance
$662,360$900,000Predevelopment Work
$300,000$500,000Deed Restriction Purchase Program
$256,400$350,000Staffing/Capacity Building at EPHA
$4,074,260$4,750,000Total
7
8
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10/3/2023
2024 Funding
Childcare
$625,000 + ~$400,000 estimated
Workforce Housing
$4,750,000 + ~$675,000 estimated
2024 Childcare Funds
Tuition Assistance
●Prioritized need
●Annual audit of funds and evaluation of
EVICS Family Resource Center as
distributor of funds
●Proposal to increase eligibility
requirements will be presented to the
Town Board in 2024 for consideration
Addressing Workforce Challenges
●Pilot programs such as individual stipends,
recruitment bonuses, retention programs
will be examined
●Annual subsidy for providers to support
operational costs will be examined and
presented to the Town Board in 2024 for
consideration
●Grants will continue to be available
through the Childcare Funding Guidelines
and Funding application process
9
10
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10/3/2023
2024 Childcare Funds
Facilities & Capital
●Childcare Needs Assessment and
Strategic Plan will support the long term
capital and facility needs for the valley
●Because a fund balance will exist in 2024,
the Town will be in a position to react to
the priority action items presented in the
Strategic Plan
●Fund requests for capital and facility are
proposed to come from the fund balance
Out-of-School Programming
●Ongoing funding through the Childcare
Funding Guidelines and Funding
application
●Ongoing and large scale programming
needs will be defined with the Childcare
Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan
○This document will outline potential
long term planning
Childcare Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan
By utilizing demonstrated need through statistically
viable research conducted in the Childcare Needs
Assessment, 6E funds will be utilized to support the
the execution and implementation of strategic plan.
Projected Timeline:
Begin gathering survey data October 2023
Likely completion date June 2024
11
12
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10/3/2023
Workforce Housing
Property Acquisition Reserve
(Land-banking, financing, etc)
●Substantial amount of funding needed for
purchasing of property
●Expecting $2.5 million needed in 2024
Predevelopment
(work for property already in real estate portfolio)
●EPHA projects the creation of
approximately 281 units through the
development of four projects through 2026
●Fish Hatchery remains a large project that
will progress through next year
Workforce Housing
Deed Restriction Purchase Program
●Upon the hiring of the Housing Program
Manager, EPHA will conduct a robust
review of deed restriction programs in
hopes to have this program up and
running in 2024
Cash Buyer Program/Rental
Assistance
●EPHA will also begin an exploratory
process to evaluate the potential efficacy
and feasibility of a cash buyer program
●They will investigate the tools and
processes necessary to activate this
program in 2024
13
14
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10/3/2023
Workforce Housing
Staffing/Capacity Building at EPHA
(Up to 3 FTEs and associated overhead)
●Position recruitment, training, for
○Housing Program Manager
○Real Estate Development Manager
2024 & Beyond
15
16
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10/3/2023
Thank you.
Continue for Reference Slides
17
18
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10/3/2023
Projected Fund Balance
Actual DistributionProjected DistributionEstimated BudgetPurpose of Funds
$29,500$59,500$250,000Addressing Workforce Challenges
--$200,000Facilities/Capital
$100,000$100,000$100,000Tuition Assistance/Scholarships
$100,000$75,000Out-of-School Programming
$129,500$259,500$625,000Total
$495,500$365,500Fund Balance:
Childcare Fund Balance
Projected Carry Over
Estes Park Housing Authority Projected Carry Over
Actual
Distribution/CommittedExpected DistributionBudgetedPurpose of Funds
$2,925,980$2,655,500$1,500,000Property Acquisition
$0$200,000$1,500,000Cash Buyer Program/Rental Assistance
$609,298$662,360$900,000Predevelopment Work
$0$300,000$500,000Deed Restriction Purchase Program
$40,117$256,400$350,000Staffing/Capacity Building at EPHA
$3,575,394$4,074,260$4,750,000Total
$1,174,606$675,7402023 Carry-over:
**Actual/Anticipated as of 9/22/2023
19
20
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10/3/2023
Survey Feedback
Summary of the Survey
●Majority of stakeholders believe the 2023
proposed split between childcare and housing
should remain the same in 2024
●Comments indicated that stakeholders
suggest that 2024 should be a continuation
of 2023 as a building year
●Lacking clear structured plan for childcare,
need to make decisions based on the
Strategic Plan
●Need a community-wide, collaborative
“vision”
●Long term planning needed for larger projects
21
22
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10/3/2023
Survey Feedback
23
Page 106
October 10, 2023
•Power Lines and Fire Mitigation
•Community Wildfire Defense Grant
•Updated ADA Transition Plan
October 24, 2023
•Addressing Substandard Rental
Housing
•Southwest Energy Efficiency Project
•Codifying Town Board Compensation
Changes
November 14, 2023
•179 Stanley Circle Check In and Next
Steps
Items Approved – Unscheduled:
•Fish Hatchery Joint Study Session with
EPHA
•Growing Water Smart Overview
•Noise Ordinance
•National Flood Insurance Program
Overview
•Governing Policies Updates
•Stanley Park Master Plan
Implementation
•Downtown Loop Updates as Necessary
Items for Town Board Consideration:
•None
Future Town Board Study Session Agenda Items
September 26, 2023
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