Niwot LID funds routine expenses in first meeting of 2019

The Niwot LID Advisory Committee checked off a few boxes on its annual to-do list at its first meeting of the new year on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Treasurer Bruce Rabeler led off with a report on the district’s nascent 2019 finances. For the third straight year, the LID will have just under $133,000 in its initial budget (which is based on a percentage of the prior year’s revenue), thanks to flat revenue growth between 2017 and 2018. Through October of last year, tax collections in the LID were down slightly compared with the same period the year before, and are projected to top out at just under $180,000.

Rabeler attributed the slowdown to the loss of Colterra, which suffered damage in a fire in October 2017 and has yet to reopen. The district also lost sales-tax revenue generating businesses Powder Keg Brewing and Bell, Book, Candle and Coffee in 2018.

As for the current year, back in November, the board “preapproved” the Niwot’s Business Association’s request for $20,700 to fund the first half of the NBA’s 2019 marketing plan, leaving the LID with just over $112,000 in the annual budget. There is also approximately $135,000 in the district’s capital reserve account.

Next up was Chuck Klueber with the NBA’s Streetscapes committee with four requests related to annual maintenance and repair expenses, including utility payments ($1,900), snow removal on 2nd Avenue ($1,800), tree care ($2,000), and general maintenance and repair of the lampposts, banners, tree sculptures, and other community assets ($3,500). He then requested $6,048 in reimbursement for 32 lighted snowflakes, which the NBA purchased in 2017 for the town’s holiday display. All were approved unanimously.

In new business, Boulder County liaison Mark Ruzzin relayed a request from the land use department to make a 20 to 30-minute presentation at the February meeting about ongoing updates to the Boulder County Comprehensive Plan. Specifically, the county will be revisiting provisions related to “the economics and housing elements” of the plan, which have not seen substantial revision since the 1980s. County planners are seeking feedback and general information from county officials and residents ahead of that effort.

Before wrapping up, Ruzzin updated the board on Boulder County’s efforts to fill the two upcoming LID Advisory Committee vacancies resulting from Jay Champion’s resignation and the end of Carrie Wise’s second full term. Through Jan. 8, the county received eight applications for the open positions and is expecting more before the Jan. 11 close date. After that, the county commissioners will conduct interviews with the interested candidates, then make their final selection, which is expected to coincide with the beginning of the new term on March 1, 2019.

The Committee will meet next at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5 at the Mountain View Fire Station.