HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Joint Town Board and EVFPD Study Session 2025-07-15RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town ofEstes Park, Larimer County, Colorado July 15, 2025
Minutes of a Joint Study Session meeting of the TOWN BOARD and
ESTES VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT of the Town of Estes
Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town Hall in the Board
Room in said Town of Estes Park on the 15th day of July, 2025.
Board: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Brown,
Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster, and Younglund
Fire Board President Sandra Smith, Vice President Scott Dorman,
Treasurer Ryan Leahy, Jeff Robbins, and Jon Smith
Attending: Mayor Hall, Mayor Pro Tem Cenac, Trustees Brown,
Hazelton, Igel, Lancaster, and Younglund
President Sandra Smith, Vice President Scott Dorman, Jeff
Robbins, and Jan Smith
Also Attending: Town Administrator Machalek, Deputy Town Administrator
Damweber, Attorney Kramer, Police Chief Stewart
Absent: Fire District Treasurer Ryan Leahy
Mayor Hall called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m.
DISCUSSION OF TOWN SALES TAX SUPPORT FOR THE ESTES VALLEY FIRE
PROTECTION DISTRICT. Town Administrator Machalek stated the discussion began
with exploring ways to address the Town's need to fund the construction of a new police
department facility. He provided an overview of the current intergovernmental
agreement between the two entities which provides 7% of the Town's 4% sales tax
collected annually for the operation of the district. The agreement was established with
the formation of the district in 2009. Prior to 2024 the district was limited to levying
property tax as a revenue source. He noted the legislature has expanded the ability of
fire districts to levy a voter proved sales tax to fund the district which would eliminate the
need for Town funding. If a fire district sales tax was approved by the voters, the Town
would use the current funds allocated to the district to fund the debt service of a new
police facility.
Discussion followed and has been summarized: questioned if the voters approved the
current funding model for the fire district through the election that formed the district;
confirmed the 7% does not impact the 1A sales tax; the timing of the discussion would
likely lead the Town to consider a ballot question to fund the police facility in January,
prior to the district considering a sales tax, with a contingency to eliminate the Town's
funding to the fire district upon approval by the voters of a new sales tax to fund the
district; noted the property tax question in April 2025 was narrowly defeated, therefore,
a sales tax would likely pass; a sales tax funding of the district would be fair for all
citizens in the valley; questioned how the sell of the Stanley Hotel may impact the
overall collection of sales tax and property tax; concern was raised on the two entities
requesting funding from the voters at separate elections; noted the importance of
working together to support both the new police facility and the ongoing funding of the
fire district; noted the Town has begun work with the County to determine the sales tax
needed to fund the district at the current level provided by the intergovernmental
agreement; expressed the importance of addressing how to fund the district today and
the future needs of the district; noted the district would have levied a sales tax during
the formation in 2009 if it had been an option; questioned if there were any other fire
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
Town Board Study Session - July 15,2025 - Page 2
districts that have levied a sales tax; and stated the requirement to inform the voters on
the need of a new police facility, address the voters concern with an increase in taxes,
and educate on how the funds would be used to create effective emergency response
by both police and fire.
Town Administrator Machalek stated the following items would be reviewed further
through ongoing discussions: 1) Consideration of whether the two entities should bring
questions at the same election; 2) Provide additional information on the original election
forming the district, and how it was changed with the senate bill in 2024 that allows the
district to levy a sales tax; and 3) Determine the sales tax rate the district would have to
impose to collect the same revenue provided by the 7% sales tax from the Town. He
noted information would be collected and provided to both boards.
There being no further business, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
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J^ic^ie Williamson, Town Clerk
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