Title
An Ordinance establishing a new Article 10 (Fire Construction Services Enterprise) of Chapter 14 (Municipal Enterprises) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, relating to Fire Construction Services Enterprise.
(Legislative)
Presenter:
Kevin Walker, Director, Planning Department
Kris Cooper, Fire Marshal, Fire Department
Body
Summary:
The Development Review Enterprise (DRE) was established in 2001 as a function of the City Planning Department. Fire Construction Services (FCS) joined in 2005 under administrative direction of City leadership. While the FCS workgroup has operated under the DRE umbrella since 2005, the related functions of the DRE were never updated to codified or properly established to support this service programming. Functionally, the DRE, with the combined workgroup structure, has served the development and construction industry well. Internally, the financial accounting and service workflow has always been challenging. City Planning and Fire Department leadership have worked hard over the last two years to clean up financial accountability with help from City Finance. Through this process all parties agree that a separate Fire Construction Services Enterprise with clear internal processes and reporting structure makes good sense. Customers and stakeholders will not see any change in external processes, fees for service, location, or staffing levels.
Background:
See Summary above.
Review Criteria:
The code language and ordinance, as well as financial planning have been reviewed by the City Attorney’s office and City Finance.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
The City Planning and Fire Department portions of the DRE will be financially solvent with the establishment of the Fire Construction Services Enterprise. Each workgroup maintains its own fee schedule and are self-supporting and self-sustaining in accordance with Issue 300 Enterprise laws. Due to timing, the proposed 2027 City Budget reflects the DRE as it currently exists. With City Council approval of this split and a new enterprise established, a budget modification will need to occur in early 2027 to reflect two separate enterprises.
The existing fund balance for the DRE will be split by percentage with 45% to the Planning portion of the DRE and 55% to the new Fire Construction Services Enterprise. This split will provide for about 100% of the 2027 budget for each separate enterprise fund balance.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
The City’s Development Review Enterprise Advisory Committee (DREAC) reviewed and recommended approval of splitting the DRE at the August 18, 2026, meeting.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motions:
Should the City Council wish to approve the ordinance, the following motion is suggested:
Motion to approve an ordinance establishing a new Article 10 (Fire Construction Services Enterprise) of Chapter 14 (Municipal Enterprises) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to the creation of a new Fire Construction Services Enterprise.
Should the City Council wish to deny the ordinance, the following motion is suggested.
Motion to deny an ordinance establishing a new Article 10 (Fire Construction Services Enterprise) of Chapter 14 (Municipal Enterprises) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to the creation of a new Fire Construction Services Enterprise.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance creating a new Article 10 (Fire Construction Services Enterprise) of Chapter 14 (Municipal Enterprises) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to the Fire Construction Services Enterprise