HomeMy WebLinkAbout12av CB56 COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: Kevin Engels
DEPARTMENT: Finance
DATE: October 6, 2025
SUBJECT:
CB 56 - 2026 Budget Ordinances First Reading (South Platte
Renew 2026 Appropriation)
DESCRIPTION:
2026 Budget Ordinances First Reading (5 of 5)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends City Council approve the fifth of five Ordinances for the South Platte Renew
2026 Appropriation
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:
January 25, 2025 - City Council Vision and Goal Setting Workshop
April 7, 2025 - Preliminary Budget Assumptions discussed for the 2026-2030 (5-Year)
Period
April 14, 2025 - Review Preliminary 2026-2030 Capital Projects List in a Joint Meeting
with City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission and Budget Advisory Committee
June 23, 2025 - Staff discussed with Council the preliminary 2026 operational and
capital budget priorities and initiatives.
July 28, 2025 - Staff Mid-Year Review of the 2025 Capital Items of the Capital
Improvement Plan (CIP).
August 11, 2025 - Staff discussed with Council the draft proposed 2026 operational and
capital budget.
September 15, 2025 - 2026 Budget Public Hearing - Staff presented changes to the
proposed 2026 operational and capital budget since the August 11, 2025 Study Session
with City Council. City Council supported the $200K funding request increase to the
Public Improvement Fund Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety Program
changing the funding estimate from $250K to $450K.
September 22, 2025 - Staff brought forward the list of capital items City Council had
mentioned during the Budget Public Hearing that could be funded with the $400K made
available with the Donors Fund contribution of $600K for the Little Dry Creek Plaza
Improvement Project.
o City Council supported the following additional projects for inclusion in the 2026
capital budget: Sidewalk Gap Construction Program ($200K), Walk and Wheel
Implementation Program ($140K), Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Pedestrian
Safety Improvements Program ($50K) and Emerald Ash Borer Grant Program
($10K).
o Additionally, the replacement of the Englewood and Malley Senior Recreation
Doors will also be included and funded at $60K each in the Capital Projects Fund
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and the Conservation Trust Fund, respectively. In the meantime, City Council
has directed staff to request that the Malley Senior Recreation Door
Replacement be funded through the Malley Senior Recreation Trust Fund with a
2026 budget supplemental.
SUMMARY:
The budget and appropriation ordinances are provided administratively as they are not required
by the State of Colorado Budget Law.
Definition of Reporting Entity
The Cities of Littleton, Colorado (Littleton) and Englewood, Colorado (Englewood), participate in
the South Platte Renew's Joint Venture (the Joint Venture) for the operation of a wastewater
treatment facility. Control of the Joint Venture rests in a four-member committee, with two
members appointed by each city. Littleton and Englewood each own a 50 percent interest in
the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture has its own workforce for operating purposes. For payroll
and pension participation, the joint venture’s workforce is considered to be City of Englewood
employees. Englewood provides the Joint Venture with administrative services on a cost
reimbursement basis.
The accounting policies of the Joint Venture conform to generally accepted accounting
principles as applicable to governmental units accounted for as a proprietary enterprise fund.
The enterprise fund is used since the Joint Venture's powers are related to those operated in a
manner similar to a private utility system where net income and capital maintenance are
appropriate determinations of accountability.
Budget
The Joint Venture does not have nor is it anticipated to ever have the power to assess an ad
valorem tax on the property of the participating cities. Accordingly, it is management's
contention that this would remove it from the scope of the State of Colorado Budget Law. Each
of the joint venture participants is a public entity and makes an appropriation of expenditures
within their respective budget to cover their proportionate share of anticipated costs of
construction and operations.
Reimbursement of Operating Expenses
Variable operating expenses are shared by the joint venture participants based on actual usage
of the facility and fixed operating expenses, excluding depreciation, are shared equally.
Additionally, in accordance with the Joint Venture Agreement, Littleton pays an administration
fee to Englewood equal to 3% of operating expenses.
Capital and Fixed Operation and Maintenance Costs Contributions
The joint venture participants share equally capital and fixed operations and maintenance
expenses.
ANALYSIS:
The South Platte Renew (SPR) 2026 Budget was developed over the past several months with
significant collaboration between the Supervisory Committee, the Joint City Councils, and City
staff. This year's budget process leveraged our collective capacity to deliver quality services,
enhanced public safety, and improved infrastructure. The Sewer Funds of the cities of Littleton
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and Englewood respectively contain budgeted funds that provide the financial support for the
SPR 2026 budget.
COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED:
Staff supports the 2026 Budget and is looking forward to the direction of the Supervisory
Committee and the Joint City Councils in developing future budgets.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Please review the South Platte Renew 2025 budget document using the following link:
https://www.englewoodco.gov/government/city-departments/finance/budget-and-financial-
reports/budget-reports.
CONNECTION TO STRATEGIC PLAN:
First reading of the 2026 budget ordinances supports the Strategic Plan Governance
result/outcome
Governance - A city government that serves the community by being efficient, effective,
accountable, and adaptable
OUTREACH/COMMUNICATIONS:
Staff presented the SPR's 2026 Budget to the the Supervisory Committee and the Joint City
Councils and the input received helped shape the provided budget.
The annual 2026 Budget Public Hearing held on September 15, 2025 provided an opportunity
for public comment regarding the operational and capital budgets.
ATTACHMENTS:
CB # - SPR 2026 Appropriation
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Page 1 of 2
ORDINANCE NO. ____ COUNCIL BILL NO. 56
SERIES OF 2025 INTRODUCED BY COUNCIL
MEMBER _______________
A BILL FOR
AN ORDINANCE APPROPRIATING MONIES FOR THE SOUTH
PLATTE RENEW PURPOSES IN THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING
JANUARY 1, 2026, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2026,
CONSTITUTING WHAT IS TERMED THE ANNUAL
APPROPRIATION BILL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.
WHEREAS, the Cities of Englewood and Littleton entered into a contract to build,
maintain, and operate a joint Wastewater Treatment Plant facility; and
WHEREAS, the operations, including budget matters, of this joint facility are
overseen by the Supervisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, the City of Englewood operates the South Platte Renew’ facility under
the control of the Supervisory Committee; and
WHEREAS, the South Platte Renew has its own fund for operations and
maintenance; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of an agreement between the City of
Littleton, Colorado, and the City of Englewood, Colorado, a budget for fiscal year 2026 was
provided to the South Platte Renew Supervisory Committee at their regular meeting of July
24, 2025; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of an agreement between the City of
Littleton, Colorado, and the City of Englewood, Colorado, a budget for fiscal year 2026 was
presented at a joint meeting of the City Councils of both Cities held on August 21, 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ENGLEWOOD, COLORADO, THAT:
Section 1. That pursuant to the South Platte Renew agreement, there be and hereby
is appropriated from the revenue derived from operation of the South Platte Renew in the
City of Englewood, Colorado, and from all other sources of revenue in the South Platte
Renew Fund including available fund balance during the year beginning January 1, 2026,
and ending December 31, 2026, the amounts hereinafter set forth for the object and purpose
specified as follows:
Total South Platte Renew Fund $ 40,988,565
Section 2. General Provisions Applicable to this Ordinance
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Page 2 of 2
The following general provisions and findings are applicable to the interpretation and
application of this Ordinance:
A. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, or part of this Ordinance or the
application thereof to any person or circumstances shall for any reason be adjudged by a
court of competent jurisdiction invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate
the remainder of this Ordinance or its application to other persons or circumstances.
B. Safety Clauses. The City Council hereby finds, determines, and declares that this
Ordinance is promulgated under the general police power of the City of Englewood, that it
is promulgated for the health, safety, and welfare of the public, and that this Ordinance is
necessary for the preservation of health and safety and for the protection of public
convenience and welfare. The City Council further determines that the Ordinance bears a
rational relation to the proper legislative object sought to be obtained. This Safety Clause
is not intended to affect a Citizen right to challenge this Ordinance through referendum
pursuant to City of Englewood Charter 47.
C. Publication. Publication of this Ordinance may be in the City’s official newspaper,
the City’s official website, or both. Publication shall be effective upon the first publication
by either authorized method.
D. Actions Authorized to Effectuate this Ordinance. The Mayor is hereby authorized
and directed to execute all documents necessary to effectuate the approval authorized by
this Ordinance, and the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to attest to such
execution by the Mayor where necessary. In the absence of the Mayor, the Mayor Pro Tem
is hereby authorized to execute the above-referenced documents. The execution of any
documents by said officials shall be conclusive evidence of the approval by the City of
such documents in accordance with the terms thereof and this Ordinance. City staff is
further authorized to take additional actions as may be necessary to implement the
provisions of this Ordinance.
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