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Home My WebLink Aboutagenda.council.worksession.20251020AGENDA CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION October 20, 2025 4:00 PM, City Council Chambers 427 Rio Grande Place, Aspen I.Work Session I.A Budget Work Session #3: Proposed Fee Changes & Department Supplemental Requests I.B EOTC Budget Presentation II.Council discussion of the items published in the most recent information update, as needed Zoom Meeting Instructions Join from PC, Mac, iPad, or Android: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82839949580?pwd=ouCoSKnarUbwLFUD0OdE1K1hijtKNZ.1 Passcode:81611 Join via audio: +1 346 248 7799 US Webinar ID: 828 3994 9580 Passcode: 81611 International numbers available: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kbDSo6O9dX 2026 Budget Work Session 3 - Fees and Supplemental Requests.pdf AIS - Prep Mtg_2026 EOTC Work Plan and Budget.pdf 2026 Transit Sales & Use Tax Budget & 5-Yr Plan 9-25-2025.pdf 1 1 October 20, 2025 2026 Proposed Budget Work Session # 3 2 2026 Proposed Budget Work Session # 3 •Proposed Fee Change Highlights •Supplemental Requests 3 Overview of Proposed Fee Changes 2026 Proposed Budget 3 4 Proposed Fee Changes •Recreation –As presented to Council in July 2024, Recreation is increasing fees by an average of 8% as they work to meet department cost recovery target of 50% in 2026/2027. •Golf –Consolidation of major passes, eliminating Twilight, College, Punch Pass. –Adding cart and range to all pass and fee pricing “all-inclusive.” –Reducing price on rental clubs and range balls. •Police and EHS –Fee increases driven by state mandated or state recommended guidelines. •Wheeler Opera House –Updated fee structure to reflect a cleaner, more logical organization and simplification. •All Proposed Fee Changes and reading of Fee Ordinance will be brought to Council in November 4 5 5 Parking 6 Downtown Core Pricing Current Pricing Off Season Peak Season Time of day Per Hour Per Hour 10am – 10:59 $2.00 $4.00 11am – 2:59pm $4.00 $6.00 3:00pm – 5:59pm $2.00 $4.00 Proposed Pricing (Moderate increase $1 per hr.) Off Season Peak Season Time of day Per Hour Per Hour 10am – 10:59 $3.00 $5.00 11am – 2:59pm $5.00 $7.00 3:00pm – 5:59pm $3.00 $5.00 7 Downtown Core Pricing Current Pricing Off Season Peak Season Time of day Per Hour Per Hour 10am – 10:59 $2.00 $4.00 11am – 2:59pm $4.00 $6.00 3:00pm – 5:59pm $2.00 $4.00 Proposed Pricing (Enhanced $2 per hr.) Off Season Peak Season Time of day Per Hour Per Hour 10am – 10:59 $4.00 $6.00 11am – 2:59pm $6.00 $8.00 3:00pm – 5:59pm $4.00 $6.00 8 Residential Day Pass Pricing Current Day Pass Price $8.00 per day – Monday thru Friday Proposed Day Pass Price $9.00 per day – Monday thru Friday •Residential day parking passes can be purchased by using the Pay by Phone App using location code #2401 •Up to 3 consecutive day can be purchased at one time 8 9 Carpool Permits •Permits are issued to qualifying vehicles that stop by the carpool kiosk located at the Brush Creek Park and Ride lot •Permit allows vehicle to park in residential zones A,B,C,D or E •Not valid for parking in the downtown core Current Carpool Requirements 2 occupants of driving age Proposed Carpool Requirements 3 occupants of driving age 9 10 10 Engineering 11 Main Street & Light Pole Banner Fee Change 11 •Current fees do not cover expenses of staff time •Proposed fees are designed to closer align with staff expenses •No fee updates in at least 5 years •Add limits to optimize banner capacity*MSB: Main Street Banner 12 12 Utilities 13 Representative Bill: Residential Water Service – Downtown 14 Representative Bill: Residential Water Service – Pump Zone 15 Representative Bill: Commercial Water Service 16 Utility Investment Charge (Tap Fees) - 2026 Proposed 17 Colorado Water Rate Survey Where we are today 15% rate adjustment in 2026 10% rate adjustment in in 2027 10% rate adjustment in 2028 18 Representative Bill: Residential Electric – Average Service 19 Representative Bill: Affordable Housing All Electric – Average Service AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALL ELECTRIC 2025 AVERAGE BILL 2026 AVERAGE BILL kWh Charges $70.84 $75.81 Availability Charges $46.02 $47.40 Current Affordable Housing All Electric Rate - Average $116.86 $123.21 200 AMP Service / 700 kWh Monthly Adjustment $6.35 20 Representative Bill: Small Commercial – Average Service 21 Representative Bill: Large Commercial – Average Service 22 Electric Community Investment Fee (ECI Fee) ECI Residential 2026 ECI Commercial 2026 Panel Amps 1 Phase 120/240V 3 Phase 120/208V Panel Amps 1 Phase 120/240V 3 Phase 120/208V 3 Phase 277/480V 100 $2,624 $5,247 200 $13,999 $15,742 $30,274 200 $5,250 $10,496 400 $27,999 $31,485 $72,657 400 $13,999 $22,742 800 $69,276 $77,902 $179,772 600 $25,979 $42,202 1000 $86,596 $97,376 $224,714 1000 $43,297 $70,337 1600 $138,552 $155,802 $359,543 1400 $60,617 $98,472 2000 $173,190 $194,753 $449,429 For 2026, we are proposing a 15% increase for amperage sizes of 100 amps to 400 amps, and 20% on 600 amps to 3,000 amps. This table represents the most common service sizes on Aspen Electric’s system. A full table is provided in Title 25 under Sec 25.04.035 15% 20% 15% 20% 23 Utility Cost Comparison Survey •Aspen continues to provide competitively priced 100% renewable electricity, nationally and across the state, despite the challenges of serving in a small community and confined service territory. 24 Supplemental Requests 2026 Proposed Budget 27 25 28 Customer Focused Government $1,423,949 Software $450,000 Affordable Housing $325,000 Arts & Culture $2,850,683 Environmental Initiatives $1,088,413 Community Building & Health $1,378,431 Parks, Golf, & Recreation $296,123 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests: $7.8M 26 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •3% of proposed budget, in line with prior years •Includes 9.0 FTEs –3 are one-year termed FTEs, to aid in succession planning –3 are at the Wheeler Opera House, to support the expanded presentation schedule and volume of shows and performances. –The remaining 3 FTEs will support and expand both internal and external customer service standards across Human Resources, Environmental Health & Sustainability, and Business Services supporting City Facilities across Parks, Recreation, Golf, and Red Brick Arts. •We will adjust the final budget brought in November down by -1 FTE and ($173k) to remove the vacant “Parking & Transportation Director” position. Not currently reflected in our proposed budget numbers. 27 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests by Department 28 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •001.112 Mayor & Council –Aspen Community Foundation, non-profit Center of Excellence Funding. $30,000 ongoing. –Health & Human Services Funding via Tobacco Tax revenues. $319,431 one-time. •001.114 City Managers Office –Workways Strategy Implementation. $155,000 one- time. –Learning & Development Administrator intermittent labor funding. $68,840 ongoing. –Digital Communications Improvements. $30,000 one- time. –Digital Document Remediation & Compliance. $50,000 one-time. 29 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •001.115 Human Resources –Employee Policy Manual updates. $30,000 one-time. –Citywide Learning & Development. $67,000 ongoing. –HRIS System Replacement & Implementation. $83,000 ongoing and $12,000 one-time. –Citywide AED Device Replacement. $42,000 one-time. –Human Resources Administrative Specialist FTE. $93,217 ongoing. 30 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •001.122 ComDev Planning –Affordable Housing “Fee In-Lieu” Study. $75,000 one-time. •001.431 Environmental Health & Sustainability –Sustainability Analyst FTE. $88,365 ongoing. 31 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •001.221 Police –Increase to 911 Communications Center Operating Expenses. $184,000 ongoing. –APD Contribution to 2nd Regional PACT Response Clinician. $50,000 ongoing. 32 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •001.327 Engineering –Enterprise GIS Managed Cloud Services. $145,000 ongoing and $35,000 one-time. 33 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •001.532 Special Events –City of Aspen July 4th Celebration, Contracted Services. $70,000 ongoing. –City of Aspen July 4th Celebration, America’s 250th anniversary. $125,000 one-time. 34 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •001.542 Recreation –Facilities Specialist FTE. $71,402 ongoing. Total cost shared across multiple departments including Parks, Golf, Red Brick Arts, and Recreation. 35 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •100 Parks & Open Space –Cybersecurity Audit. $15,000 one- time. Multi-dept including Parks, Utilities, and IT. –Nordic Program Seasonal Labor. $32,380 ongoing. 100% offset by revenues from Pitkin County. –Facilities Specialist FTE. $32,455 ongoing. Total cost shared across multiple departments including Parks, Golf, Red Brick Arts, and Recreation. 36 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •120.513 Wheeler Opera House –Wheeler Presented Events & Marketing Operating Expenses. $2,351,598 ongoing. Will be partially offset by box office revenues. –Education & Outreach Coordinator FTE. $113,266 ongoing and $3,000 one-time. –Lighting Theatre Technician FTE. $121,183 ongoing and $3,000 one- time. –Deputy Director, Operations FTE. $160,636 ongoing and $3,000 one- time. 37 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •120.552 Red Brick Arts –Marketing and Communications Services. $85,000 ongoing. –Red Brick Building Operating Expense Increase. $10,000 ongoing. –Facilities Specialist FTE. $12,982 ongoing. Total cost shared across multiple departments including Parks, Golf, Red Brick Arts, and Recreation. 38 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •132 REMP Fund –Community Buildings Support Programs & Building IQ. $802,625 one-time. 39 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •141 Transportation Fund –Increase to Bike Share Program Operating Expenses. $77,423 ongoing and $40,000 one-time. 40 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •150 Housing Development Fund –Contribution to APCHA Essential Home Repairs Grant Program. $250,000 ongoing. 41 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •152 Kids First Fund –Additional Financial Aid and Wage Subsidy Operating Expenses. $600,000 ongoing. 42 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •421 Water Utility Fund –Cybersecurity Audit. $15,000 one- time. Multi-dept including Parks, Utilities, and IT. –Cross Connection Management Software. $70,000 ongoing. –Water Treatment Supervisor FTE TERMED. $160,768 one-time. 43 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •431 Electric Utility Fund –Cybersecurity Audit. $15,000 one- time. Multi-dept including Parks, Utilities, and IT. –Electric Transmission Costs (Year 2 of 5). $232,000 ongoing. –Electric Purchase Power Cost Increase. $272,400 ongoing. –Electric Line Technician FTE TERMED. $152,724 one-time. 44 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •451 Parking Fund –EV Charging Program Electricity Costs. $80,000 ongoing. –Offset by collected EV charging revenues. 45 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •471 Golf Fund –Facilities Specialist FTE. $32,455 ongoing. Total cost shared across multiple departments including Parks, Golf, Red Brick Arts, and Recreation. –Assistant Golf Superintendent FTE TERMED. $133,922 one-time. 46 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •510 Information Technology Fund –IT Roadmap & Implementation Plan. $100,000 one-time. –Cybersecurity Audit. $30,000 one- time. Multi-dept including Parks, Utilities, and IT. 47 2026 Proposed Budget Supplemental Requests •620 APCHA –APCHA Essential Home Repairs Grant Program. $500,000 ongoing. –Supported 50/50 by City of Aspen and Pitkin County. –Common projects include Water Heaters, Windows, and HVAC. 48 Questions? 49 Adjustments prior to final budget adoption •Personnel: ($173k). Elimination of the former Parking & Transportation Director position, -1 FTE. •Capital: +$30k to add the fleet trailer replacement, as mentioned last week during capital review. •Operating: –+$200k to the 130 Tourism Promotion Fund expense authority to align revenues and expenses. –+$122.5k to the 510 Information Technology Fund, for ongoing annual community broadband operating expenses. This was accidentally zeroed out during the budget development process. Community Broadband has offsetting revenues paid by users. 50 2026 Proposed Budget Questions? •Work Session # 4 –ACRA and CORE to present 2026 Business Plans –APCHA Budget Review –Council Interest Areas, Follow-up, and Conclusions 51 1 CITY OF ASPEN COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY MEETING DATE: October 20, 2025 AGENDA ITEM TITLE: Prep for EOTC 2026 Budget and Work Plan Mtg STAFF RESPONSIBLE: Linda DuPriest, Regional Transportation Director ISSUE STATEMENT: This is an Information Only item to prepare for the EOTC meeting on October 23, 2025, wherein the 2026 proposed work plan and budget will be presented for approval, along with the Brush Creek Monitoring & Management Plan recommendations, and updates on current EOTC projects. BACKGROUND: The creation of an annual Budget and Work Plan is a requirement of the EOTC Strategic Plan. This Plan is to bring together the following work projects facing the EOTC through 2026. The Plan is not intended to be all-inclusive and is anticipated to be updated as needed. EOTC REVENUES: Funding for EOTC initiatives in 2026 will increase slightly over 2025. In 2026, revenues will exceed 2025 by approximately 2% The attached proposed budget document shows expected revenues and expenditures from 2024 through 2030. Revenue details are as follows: 0.5% Transit Sales Tax – 2025 year-end estimated revenues for the EOTC’s portion of the transit sales tax is $2,180,849. The 2026 projection is $2,257,178. Other EOTC Revenues -- This includes construction use tax, intergovernmental contributions and interest income. Total revenues in these categories in 2025 is $1,412,357. In 2026 this category represents $1,406,690. Fund Balance – With the expected revenues and proposed projects and work plan, fund balance at the end of 2025 is expected at $12,775,259. In 2026, the fund balance projection is $14,361,350. Both of these amounts are in addition to the $6,000,000 in reserve for the Snowmass Transit Center. 2026 WORK PLAN AND BUDGET: Note that while the Work Plan includes all proposed projects to be undertaken by the EOTC in the coming year, some projects also require a budget 52 2 expenditure to proceed, while others require funding from EOTC but no significant staff time. EOTC staff proposes the following for 2026: Brush Creek Park & Ride Monitoring, Management and Operations Plan – Work Plan and Budget: $250,000 Should the EOTC approve the recommendations from the Brush Creek Monitoring & Management Plan, it is expected that costs to implement monitoring and enforcement of the lot will not exceed $250,000. EOTC Director will assume management/operations of the lot from the City of Aspen, and will pursue stakeholder input on specific management strategies, for example, event and large truck storage permitting system and procedures, and private business use of the lot. Additional details of the plan will be presented in a separate item at the October 23rd meeting. Brush Creek Park & Ride Restrooms Design-- Work Plan and Budget: $350,000 Due to the exorbitant costs of the restroom design created for the Brush Creek FLAP project, staff has pursued a new strategy for providing improved restroom facilities at the lot. An initial estimate provided by an on-call engineering firm for design and/or site prep of a prefab facility is $350,000. Construction estimates for a prefab design are considerably less than the FLAP project design and could come in as low as $650,000 to $1,000,000. Should the EOTC choose to move forward with a prefab design, unused funds that were previously obligated for the FLAP project could cover a significant portion of the total cost. It is possible that construction could begin in 2026; if so, staff will request a budget amendment to pursue the project. Airport Closure Transportation Planning – Work Plan only To address concerns about how the 2027 airport closure may impact regular visitor transportation to the region, staff is proposing a collaboration with the Airport team and the Aspen Chamber and Resort Association and other areas tourism interests on possible alternate transport strategies. These could include sourcing alternative transit and shuttle services from outside of the RFTA service area, as well an local solutions. Airport Multimodal Planning -- Work Plan only In January 2025 Pitkin County was notified of award for the Airport Multimodal Options for Decarbonization, Efficiency, and Safety (MODES) Planning Project under the USDOT’s BUILD grant (formerly known as RAISE). This $2.5 million project will analyze transportation issues and opportunities from Brush Creek Park & Ride to roughly the area of the roundabout, centering around the airport, future Lumberyard housing development, and Aspen Airport Business Center. Funds for the project have been confirmed but not yet obligated. The EOTC director will have a role in project management of the BUILD grant, and will contribute to the current airport modernization project, supporting the multimodal planning activities as appropriate. 53 3 EOTC Retreat – Work Plan; budget covered by contingency At the August 14, 2025, EOTC meeting, members directed staff to plan a retreat for the first quarter of 2026. At the upcoming October 23rd meeting, staff will request members to designate a planning subcommittee to begin planning of the retreat in late 2025 or in the first weeks of 2026. Ongoing Projects Buttermilk Bike/Pedestrian At-Grade Crossing Improvements – Work Plan and Budget: $342,000 Design will be completed on the project in 2025. Construction, estimated at $342,000 additional to current budget, will begin in the spring of 2026 and will include relocation of the pedestrian signal activator, a dedicated right-turn-only lane, additional streetlighting and signal improvements. Permanent Automated Vehicle Counters -- Work Plan and Budget: $10,000 The counter system installation was completed in 2025, and all counters have passed the technical audit. Ongoing tech support will be provided by Pitkin County Telecommunications staff, at an estimated cost of $10,000 per year. EOTC staff is recommending a monthly reporting routine for this traffic data, to be posted on web sites of the three partner agencies. Maroon Bells Comprehensive Recreation Management Plan Implementation Plan – Work Plan and budget TBD This project will continue into 2026, with minimum budget participation from the EOTC, to be determined. Due to the federal workforce labor reductions in 2025, details of the work and budget are not known at this time. AABC Bicycle/Pedestrian Transportation Plan – Work Plan Planning work will continue for the Aspen Airport Business Center multimodal plan. Funds for this project were obligated in 2025. Additional Work Plan and Budget Items WE-Cycle System Funding – Budget Only: $140,000 This budget item is the ongoing contribution to regional WE-Cycle system. The EOTC director participates in the RFTA regional First/Last Mile Mobility advisory committee. X Games Transit Subsidy –Budget only: $115,000 Ongoing support for transit operations during the Aspen X Games in January. 54 4 Member jurisdictions transportation projects support – Work Plan only – EOTC staff will participate as appropriate in studies, committees and other work carried out by Pitkin County, City of Aspen, Town of Snowmass Village and RFTA. RECOMMENDED ACTION: None at this time; Information Only. ATTACHMENTS: 1. Proposed 2026 Budget 55 2024 Actual 2025 Initial Budget 2025 Budget Adjustments j Savings & Overages 2025 Year-End Estimate 2026 Budget 2027 Budget 2028 Budget 2029 Budget 2030 Budget Revenues 0.5% Transit Sales Tax 2,096,970 2,124,215 - 56,634 2,180,849 2,257,178 2,031,460 2,315,864 2,408,499 2,504,839 Use Taxes 1,061,433 775,000 - 75,000 850,000 850,000 850,000 850,000 850,000 850,000 Intergovernmental 129,923 - - - - - - - - Other Revenue - 55,200 - 55,200 - - - - - Interest Income 645,909 507,157 - 507,157 556,690 565,990 622,310 687,010 692,050 Total Net Revenues 3,934,235 3,461,572 - 131,634 3,593,206 3,663,868 3,447,450 3,788,174 3,945,509 4,046,889 Expenditures Salaries and Wages 141,410 156,720 - 156,720 161,491 167,951 174,669 181,656 188,922 Employee Benefits 28,779 31,301 - 31,301 32,998 34,318 35,691 37,119 38,604 Health Insurance 11,653 14,552 - 14,552 14,382 15,389 16,466 17,619 18,852 Professional & Technical Services 59,219 103,436 - 103,436 278,200 285,016 292,141 299,445 306,931 Studies / Planning / Consultants 113,578 342,000 134,450 476,450 350,000 - - - - Property Services 28,104 115,500 - 115,500 114,500 117,305 120,238 123,244 126,325 Other Services 9,240 13,600 - 13,600 13,600 13,933 14,281 14,638 15,004 1,023 1,000 - 1,000 1,000 1,025 1,051 1,077 1,104 Machinery & Equipment 213,095 - 39,405 39,405 - - - - - Computers & Computer Equipment - 2,000 - 2,000 2,000 - - - - Projects Pedestrian Access to SMV Mall - - 650,000 (650,000) - - - - - - Brush Creek P&R FLAP Grant Match - 1,068,355 - (1,068,355) - - - - - - Buttermilk Pedestrian Crossing Improv.6,788 250,000 - 250,000 342,000 - - - - WE-Cycle Site Planning 55,644 - - - - - - - - Maroon Bells Management Plan 92,000 - - - - - - - - Other Grants & Contributions 223,590 255,000 - 255,000 255,000 261,248 267,779 274,473 281,335 Other Expenditures 187,697 397,257 - (171,554) 225,703 512,606 525,165 538,294 551,751 565,545 Total Expenditures 1,171,820 2,750,721 823,855 (1,889,909) 1,684,667 2,077,777 1,421,350 1,460,610 1,501,022 1,542,622 2,762,415 710,851 (823,855) 2,021,543 1,908,539 1,586,091 2,026,100 2,327,564 2,444,487 2,504,267 Beginning Available Fund Balance 10,866,720 12,775,259 14,361,350 16,387,450 18,715,014 21,159,501 Ending Available Fund Balance 12,775,259 14,361,350 16,387,450 18,715,014 21,159,501 23,663,768 Reserved for Snowmass Village 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 6,000,000 Total Fund Balance 18,775,259 20,361,350 22,387,450 24,715,014 27,159,501 29,663,768 2026 Budget & Five-Year Plan Supplies Property Annual Surplus/(Deficit) Pitkin County Transit Sales & Use Tax Fund 56