2. Finance Committee Minutes 22-07-20FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022
IN-PERSON MEETING AT AVON TOWN HALL
Finance Committee Meeting, July 20, 2022 1 | 5
1. ROLL CALL
The meeting began at 5:05 p.m.
PRESENT- Finance Committee: Steve Coyer, Dee Wisor, Linn Brooks (in-person).
. Town Council: Scott Prince
Town Staff: Finance Director Scott Wright, Town Manager Eric Heil, General Government
Manager Ineke de Jong, Deputy Town Manager Patty McKenny
ABSENT-: Committee Members Markian Feduschak and Craig Ferraro
Mayor Sarah Smith Hymes
2. APPROVAL OF JULY 20, 2021 MINUTES
Committee Member Dee Wisor moved to approve the minutes from the July 20, 2021 meeting and
Committee Member Linn Brooks seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by those
present.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no public comments.
4. STAFF UPDATES ON FINANCIAL RESULTS THROUGH JUNE 2022
Finance Director Scott Wright presented updates for the May and June financial reports, including
the revenue collections for sales, accommodations, tobacco and cigarette, and short-term rental tax for
May 2022 and the recreation fees and real estate transfer tax revenues for June 2022. There was some
discussion about revenue trends and year-over-year differences. It was noted with the
implementation of the Colorado Sales and Use Tax System (“SUTS”), more than 100 businesses
have registered to remit sales tax resulting in a dramatic increase in the e-commerce retails sales
tax. Some impacts noted were less visitors this summer than last summer but overall, there have
been very good revenue collections and the town’s financial condition remains very good. Finance
Director Wright mentioned the year-end financial report would be presented at the next council
meeting. See report in the packet for details with a summary of collections for all revenues below:
Tax Revenue Comparison – YTD 2021 v 2022: All revenues except for cigarette tax are reporting an
increase for 2022 compared to 2021. Below is a table which reflects the dollar change and percentage
variance.
Adopted Budget 2022 v Actual 2022: All revenues except for Cigarette tax and Recreation Program Fees
reflect a positive variance over the 2022 budget. Below is a table which reflects the dollar change and
percentage variance.
5. 2022 CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY UPDATE
Finance Director Scott Wright presented the report reflecting the year-to-date 2022 construction
activity. A number of projects were reviewed, such as the Frontgate Condominium Project, Eagle
River Water & Sanitation District Wastewater Treatment Facility, Dual Brand Hotel (Traer Creek
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022
IN-PERSON MEETING AT AVON TOWN HALL
Finance Committee Meeting, July 20, 2022 2 | 5
area), and One Riverfront Condominium Project. It was noted some of the revenues generated
by the new hotel will be collected by the Traer Creek Metro District (accommodations tax) and
some by the town (property tax). See report for details with a summary below:
Year to date, the Community Development Department has issued 94 permits with a total construction
valuation of $204,199,048. Total fees collected this year so far total $44,383 for Exterior Energy Offset, $724,416 for Building Permits,
and $468,041 for Plan Review.
Joel McCracken joined at 5:34 p.m.
6. STAFF PRESENTATION: EPS REPORT AVON REVENUE & ECONOMIC STUDY
Finance Director Scott Wright and Town Manager Eric Heil presented a final draft of the economic
study report submitted by Economic & Planning Systems, Inc. (EPS), a report that included an
analysis of peer community comparison of revenues, budgets and services report. The purpose of
the report is to provide comparison data in a number of areas in an effort to inform the Town Council and
staff’s considerations on revenue sources, tax levels, and funding strategies. The last report was
completed in 2018 and the intent is to update it every three years. The report would also be presented
to the town council at a future meeting. There was some discussion about future projects within the town
and Traer Creek area. More details about the future buildout capacity of Avon would be worth noting.
There was a request to include more details, if possible, related to sales tax collections. It was noted
there have been some recent state legislative changes to sales/use and property taxes that may be
impactful to Avon. It was noted the finance department would be reviewing the town’s code to ensure
compliance with state tax law. Overall, there was a favorable opinion of the EPS Report addressing
Avon Revenue and Economic Study from those members attending.
7. STAFF PRESENTATION: RESULTS AVON VOTER POLLING ON USE TAX, MARIJUANA TAX, AND REGIONAL
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TAX QUESTIONS
Town Manager Eric Heil presented an overview of the ballot measure survey conducted by
Magellan Strategies, a survey that polled Avon registered voters about three different ballot
measures, (1) imposing a use tax to replace sales tax on the sales of construction materials, (2)
imposing a retail tax on marijuana, and (3) imposing a .5% increase on sales tax or a .6% increase
on lodging tax or a mill levy increase on property tax to fund a regional transit authority. The results
were reviewed by the Manager and the committee. The full slide presentation showed the results
of the responses to each question which were compiled via text messaging and an online survey.
The polling would be presented to town council at the next meeting. In addition, there were many
comments recorded by survey participants which addressed both pros and cons to the ballot
proposals. Heil noted that staff would recommend sending only one of the tax measures to the
voters. If the regional partners all agree to placing the funding for the RTA on the ballot, then that
would be recommended as the priority for Town of Avon as well. If the RTA ballot proposal does
not get full support from the partners, then it would be recommended to pursue the other tax
measures. Committee members supported the approach.
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022
IN-PERSON MEETING AT AVON TOWN HALL
Finance Committee Meeting, July 20, 2022 3 | 5
Voter Polling Results
Use Tax (4%):
Retail Marijuana Tad (5%):
Sales Tax for RTA (.5%)
Lodging Tax for RTA (.6%)
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022
IN-PERSON MEETING AT AVON TOWN HALL
Finance Committee Meeting, July 20, 2022 4 | 5
Lodging tax for RTA (.6%)
after informed that lodging tax is high
Property Tax (1.2768 Mills)
Heil noted that the Vail Economic Advisory Council, the Beaver Creek Economic Council and Vail
Valley Partnership were the groups leading the discussions a year ago about the need to modify
the existing transit services in the region and that with its current service levels offered, the
community needs were not being met (workforce needs). Additional voter polling was completed
by the RTA Formation group that showed support as well.
There was also some discussion about the use tax ballot proposal which would replace the Town’s
current 4% sales tax on construction materials with a 4% Use Tax. Heil noted that Avon is the only town
in Eagle County without a use tax and that collection of a Use Tax is much more efficient for both
contractors and the Town. The revenue generated by this tax would be allocated to the Town’s general
fund. There was some discussion about how construction project valuations were calculated.
8. COUNCIL REPORT ON THE REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
Town Manager Eric Heil presented an overview on the formation effort of the Regional Transit
Authority (RTA) and consideration of the IGA that is being reviewed by the other potential members
(Town of Vail, Eagle County, Beaver Creek Metro District, Town of Eagle, Town of Gypsum). It
was noted that the governing bodies would make final decisions about ballot questions no later
than September 9 which is the date ballot content must be certified to the Eagle County Clerk.
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2022
IN-PERSON MEETING AT AVON TOWN HALL
Finance Committee Meeting, July 20, 2022 5 | 5
9. NEXT COMMITTEE MEETING DATE
The next meeting date was set for October 19, 2022.
A number of topics were suggested for future review and discussion, as follows:
Focus on a long-term financial outlook with look at development of an asset management plan
Focus on growth of the community:
o Align staffing resources with growing community needs and programs
o Forecast for community and special events
o Ensure sustainable growth
o Review 5-to-10-year capital improvements plan
Review existing revenue sources and explore other potential revenues streams
Review affordable housing projects and options
Review financing vs. cash flow of capital projects
Review reserve thresholds
Review the La Zona planning process outcomes (includes recreation center improvements)
Review creation of Downtown Development Authority (revenue stream for housing?)
10. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted by
Patty McKenny
Deputy Town Manager | Town Clerk
General Government Department