Title
A resolution abandoning and transferring $2,375,000 in PSST funds from the voter-approved Fire Department Complex (FDC), Phase IIB capital improvement project to the voter-approved Station 1 Renovation project.
Body
From:
Christopher P. Riley, Fire Chief, Colorado Springs Fire Department
Summary:
The 2014 budget appropriated $2,375,000 in funding for the PSST funded voter-approved FDC Phase IIB project, with another $1,000,000 planned for the 2015 budget to complete the project. In the Mayor's 2015 budget, the $1,000,000 was reprioritized to maintain 12.00 FTE previously SAFER-grant funded firefighter positions. Also, CSFD determined that the Fire Station 1 renovation project, another PSST-funded voter-approved project, critically needed for continued effective rescue and fire operations could be completed with the $2,375,000 previously appropriated for the FDC Phase IIB project. Therefore, the attached resolution is to abandon the 2014 funding for the FDC Phase II capital improvement project and transfer the funding to the Fire Station 1 renovation capital improvement project. This is not a final abandonment of the FDC Phase II project, it will remain on the PSST project list, it is only abandoning the 2014 funding for the project as required by City Code in order to transfer the funds to another voter-approved project.
Previous Council Action:
On December 18, 2013, City Council approved the original 2014 budget per Ordinance No. 13-77, which included $2,375,000 for the FDC Phase IIB project. The original 2014 Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) Fund expenditure appropriation was $30,782,491.
Background:
The PSST was created by voters in 2001 with 20 specific capital improvement program projects listed on the ballot, along with the ability to use the funds for personnel, operations and maintenance. Since the time of the ballot, 15 projects have been completed, one is underway (Ventilation Improvements) and the four remaining projects are land for both a fire station and a police substation (neither of which are needed at this time), and the FDC Phase IIB and Station 1 projects.
Financial Implications:
By abandoning the funds financially, City Council will free the funds appropriated for the FDC Phase IIB project and appropriate them for the Station 1 project. This does not remove the FDC Phase IIB project from the PSST list and the CSFD will continue to look for available funding within the PSST revenue estimates to try and fund the FDC Phase IIB project in the future. This financial abandonment will allow the Station 1 project to move forward within the confines of the existing budget.
Board/Commission Recommendation:
The Public Safety Sales Tax Oversight Committee (PSSTOC) voted unanimously to support the movement of the funds from the FDC Phase IIB project to the Station 1 at their meeting on September 10, 2014.
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
Keep the $2,375,000 appropriation to the FDC Phase IIB project.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Move approval of the attached resolution abandoning and transferring $2,375,000 in PSST funds from the voter-approved Fire Department Complex (FDC), Phase IIB capital improvement project to the voter-approved Station 1 Renovation project.
Ordinance Language
N/A