November Updates on Estes Park Government*
The League of Women Voters of Estes Park, leader Rebecca Urquhart
Estes Valley Fire District 11/13/24
Summary of Issues:
2025 Budget presented, not yet approved.
Chief’s Report Presented.
Contract for new Chief. Board President Bross described the extensive application, interview and selection process. Board VP Tseng, who chaired the contract negotiation subcommittee, described the contract negotiation process.
The board voted to offer the contract and Acting Chief Capo stated that he would sign it immediately after the meeting. Effective date will be November 17, 2024. The text of the contract is in this pdf.
All board members were present, in person.
Link to Estes Valley Fire District notices, Board Meeting agenda, and prior minutes, here.
EP Town Board of Trustees 10/22/24
All members present.
Final PUBLIC HEARING – 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET.
Managers presented on
Highway User’s Trust Fund.
Resolution 80-24 Setting the Mill Levy. (per CO law, budget to be balanced from property tax revenue, which is $594,479 . The 2024 property valuation for the Town is $332,541,247. Proposal: levy a tax of 1.822 mills upon each dollar of the total valuation for assessment of all taxable property within the Town for the year 2024.
Resolution 81-24 Adopting the 2025 Budget. (not available in packet)
Resolution 82-24 Appropriating Sums of Money for 2025. $92 280,623 total appropriations
Public comments were mostly on budgets for charitable or nonprofit allocations.
Budget approved.
Discussions continued on the noise ordinance.
Agenda, meeting minutes, and videos of meetings are available here.
Estes Park Sanitation District 11/12/24
Summary of Issues:
Board reviewed finances, expenditures. No change in financial Statement of Net Position. Billing software funded and is a large item on finances.
Board updated on Biowin Plant Modeling software to analyze data and simulate operations for future standards. Funds for it earmarked approved to be added to the budget last month.
Three past due accounts met threshold of more than a year, and over $1000. Were certified to be collected by County with taxes.
Operating statement and monthly bills paid approved.
New operator employee recommended. Reviewed hiring decision in executive session. progress
Check signing authority increased by $2000.
Progress on construction projects reviewed, no significant changes.
Public hearing on 2025 Budget opened. No public comments. New issues: Agreed that certain equipment (e.g. locater, $5000) needed replacement. Employee requested funds to upgrade some fleet equipment moved from unrestricted funds. GIS new software cost: $34,000 to collect data. Upgrade of Fairview Lane lines and manhole: $34,000. Reclamation District replacement manhole lids: $25,000. Reserves requirements for capital requirements reviewed. General undesignated Reserves goal: $479,000. 2025 proposed reserves $4.9 million. Current debt $1.3 million, down from original $4.1 million. Final budget hearing set for December Board meeting.
User fee Rate review set for December 10, 2024 Board meeting.
Link to Estes Park Sanitation District notices, minutes, and Board and facilities info.
*Citizen Observers further the commitment of the League of Women Voters to its principle of Citizens Right to Know, however, we are not acting as journalists. Omissions and errors are possible. It is assumed that users of this information are responsible for their own fact-checking. This could include contacting a government clerk, conversing with an elected official or staff, and/or asking us to speak to the Observer who attended.