HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES Town Board Study Session 2008-11-25 Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado, November 25, 2008
Minutes of a Regular meeting of the TOWN BOARD STUDY SESSION of
the Town of Estes Park, Larimer County, Colorado. Meeting held at Town
Hall in Rooms 202 & 203 in said Town of Estes Park on the 25th day of
November, 2008.
Board: Mayor Pinkham, Trustees Blackhurst, Eisenlauer, Ericson,
Homeier, Levine and Miller
Attending: All
Also Attending: Town Administrator Halburnt, Deputy Town Administrator
Richardson, Town Attorney White and Town Clerk
Williamson
Absent: None
Mayor Pinkham called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
FIRE DISTRICT.
Administrator Halburnt stated the Fire District Task Force presented the Town Board
with its findings and proposed formation and funding of a valley wide fire district at their
October 28th Board meeting. Town staff met with County staff to discuss the timeframe
and steps for the formation of the district. The purpose of the meeting is to determine
the Board’s comfort level on turning over operations and management of the Fire
Department to a district and the level of subsidy from the Town. The 7% sales tax
subsidy proposed by the Task Force would be more than the current transfer to the Fire
Department. The Task Force has anticipated the costs to increase over time; therefore,
a larger sales tax percentage was requested. She requested the Board review
Appendix B, C and D and forward comments and concerns to staff.
Attorney White informed the Board that an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between
the Town and a Fire District would be established to include the sales tax transfer to the
new district; however, the funds would be subject to annual appropriations. He stated
800 calls would require a department to have a paid staff, and the Town’s Fire
Department averages 450 calls a year.
Discussion followed: The suggested 7% of sales tax is generous and a smaller
percentage should be considered; it is critical to provide a commitment and move
forward; provide a percentage of sales tax from the previous year rather than the
projected sales tax of current year’s sales tax as proposed; the Board stated concern
with providing 90% of projected sales tax at the beginning of the year to the district;
does the current Fire Department support the proposed concept; concern with providing
financial support and handing over all capital equipment; leasing equipment would
provide the Town some control; sales tax support of 7% could be capped and
readdressed after an initial term of the IGA; it could be difficult to garner Town resident
support, especially business owners; would election cost be reimbursed to the Town;
and the Board supports the concept and remains behind the formation of a district.
Attorney White suggested the Board consider quarterly sales tax payments because the
district would receive 40 to 50% of the property tax (1.95 mills) by March/April.
Deputy Town Administrator Richardson stated the Fire Department personnel have
varying opinions; however, the proposed plan has more support than previous plans.
Full-time paid personnel are apprehensive of the change. The IGA could address
concerns related to benefits and the retainment of the Fire Chief. The IGA could also
address the reimbursement of election costs.
Town Board Study Session – November 25, 2008 – Page 2
Trustee Homeier stated the Task Force has brought Town and County residents
together to discuss a difficult issue and propose a solution. He suggested the Board
consider 6% sales tax, retain capital assets and lease equipment and the building to the
new district. Trustee Blackhurst agreed and requested a cap on the financial support.
Mayor ProTem Levine concurred the Town should lease capital assets and provide a
long term lease to the fire district.
Administrator Halburnt stated an Initiative Committee should be formed immediately and
should include members from the Fire District Task Force. Task Force members are
not interested in serving on the Initiative Committee; however, they would support the
Committee and provide information. The Board would encourage the Task Force
members to form the Initiative Committee. She recommended the Task Force meet
again to discuss the Initiative Committee and to form the Service Plan.
The timeline for the formation of the district was discussed and includes the following:
Formation of an Initiative Committee
Initiative Committee drafts Service Plan
Committee has Pre-Application with County 60 days (Feb. 1st) prior to
submittal of the Service Plan to the County Clerk and Recorder.
Filing the Service Plan by April 1, 2009.
Larimer County Planning Commission and Board of County
Commissioners Review Service Plan between April – May.
File petition with the District Court on June, 2009.
Attorney White stated the proposed budget is realistic, and the Town would realize
savings, including funding to the vehicle replacement fund and dispatching services.
The proposed district would pay for dispatch services currently provided to the Fire
Department at no charge. He stated these issues may be the difference between a 6%
and 7% sales tax subsidy.
The Town Board proposed the following issues be addressed in the IGA to be brought
forward in January:
Long term lease for the fire station.
Lease capital equipment.
Quarterly sales tax payments with money in hand.
7% sales tax subsidy with a cap of $750,000.
Paid staff to remain for 3 years with equivalent benefits.
Reimburse the Town for election costs.
Attorney White proposed a separate agreement be drafted to address the fire pension
fund. The Town could be liable if the fund is not maintained appropriately.
There being no further business, Mayor Pinkham adjourned the meeting at 6:44 p.m.
Jackie Williamson, Town Clerk