Public Works Department Update: Water Systems
During the October 13, 2026 meeting, Frisco Town Council heard a presentation from the Public Works Department reviewing summer 2026 water conservation efforts, how capital improvements are being prioritization, and snowmaking plans.
Summer 2026 Water Conservation Efforts
- Summer Water Restriction Results
- Phase 3 restrictions limited lawn watering to two days per week during designated evening and overnight hours. From June through September, water production decreased by 21.9 million gallons, or approximately 18.8%, compared with the same period in 2025.
- Peak-day production declined from 1.6 million to 1.3 million gallons, and the number of days above one million gallons fell from 57 to 15. Town irrigation use also declined by 3.2 million gallons, or approximately 39%, demonstrating a substantial reduction in municipal irrigation demand.
- As of September 25, 2026, stream flow was able to support surface water treatment plant operations. This means that the Town can now move out of mandatory restrictions and still encourages voluntary conservation efforts and being mindful about water use.
Water System Capital Improvements
- Five-year capital implementation, which is described in more detail in the staff presentation.
- Staff’s approach to capital projects prioritizes water treatment capability and renewal/replacement of aging infrastructure, while spreading major construction projects over several years.
- The five-year water system capital program totals $11.7 million.
- Early work focuses on PFAS treatment at Well 7 and on targeted main water lines and facility improvements.
- Larger main water line replacements begin with design to define scope, refine costs, and coordinate service interruptions and street restoration.
- Phasing is intended to maintain reliable service while matching project delivery to available funding, staff capacity, and the mountain construction season.
2026-27 Snowmaking Plans
- Water rights and 2026–27 snowmaking
- Snowmaking plans focus on matching production to confirmed water supplies and the conditions associated with each source.
- The planned snowmaking window is October 15, 2026, through January 1, 2027.
- Staff’s proposed approach combines confirmation of seasonal water use limits and water rights replacement requirements with metered production, daily accounting, and spring snowpack and return-flow monitoring.
Council Discussion
Council had questions about PFAS testing at Well 7 once the carbon activated treatment system is active at Well 7 (well not currently in use), and staff said that while testing requirements and PFAS level regulations continue to evolve, there are already requirements to test based on water system size.
Council was pleased to see the community’s efforts around water conservation this summer resulted in significant reductions in water use. In addition, Council was pleased with how staff handled water conservation efforts and the ability to continue to reliably deliver safe drinking water in a year with challenging water supply conditions.
Strategic Plan Briefing
The Frisco Town Council held their annual Strategic Retreat in August 2026. The Council used the adopted 2024–2028 Frisco Strategic Plan as a starting point for their annual retreat. The Strategic Plan provides clear, concise, and future-focused direction regarding what the Town of Frisco organization is, who it serves, how it serves, what it does, and why it does what it does. One of the purposes of this Strategic Plan is to develop an annual work plan for the Council and staff. Feedback from this retreat was shared with the Town’s Leadership Team to help develop a 2027-28 work plan. The plan establishes the strategic priorities for the Council and staff over the next two years to advance the community vision: “To be a welcoming mountain town that connects people with nature and supports opportunities for community wellbeing.” The document also incorporates long-term initiatives extending beyond 2028 to ensure continuity in future planning.
Following a review of the Strategic Plan, Council focused on refining Frisco’s economic position. The Council has identified several foundational principles and strategic considerations for review:
- The Council ultimately wants to improve affordability for residents living in Frisco.
- While Frisco functions primarily as a tourism-based economy, the Council is committed to collaborating closely with the local business community to foster economic opportunity and diversification.
- Limited land availability for new development presents both a spatial constraint and an opportunity for strategic infill and revitalization.
- The Council wants to prioritize the retention and enhancement of existing businesses while maintaining flexibility for emerging business opportunities.
- Frisco benefits from a central geographic location and should continue to capitalize on this.
- The Council endorses the formation of an Economic Advisory Council and the potential engagement of external consultants to analyze Frisco’s economic identity and identify gaps essential to long-term community sustainability.
The following four core strategic objectives defined in the Strategic Plan serve as a practical roadmap to achieving the Council’s and community’s goals and have been translated into a work plan for 2027-28.
- Provide progress-driven, quality core services.
- Provide vibrant culture, arts, and recreation opportunities.
- Enhance community inclusivity.
- Support a thriving economy.
Council Discussion
Council discussed whether to hire a consultancy team to assist with determining Frisco’s economic identity and recognizing gaps essential to long-term community sustainability, and Council decided not to move forward with a consultant team at this time. Council also asked for at least a twice yearly report on deed restricted rental housing occupancy to determine success and if there is need for more of this type of housing. Council felt that their ongoing and retreat discussions and intentions were well captured in the presented work plan. Next steps include Town staff implementing the work plan and reporting progress to Council on a regular basis.
Approving a Community Accelerated Mobility Project (CAMP) Grant Agreement for E-Bike Share Feasibility Study
Staff presented information to Council regarding a Community Accelerated Mobility Project (CAMP) grant for an e-bike share feasibility study. Upon approval of Resolution 26-25, the Town is positioned to select a consultant to study demand, potential service areas, station locations, costs, and connections to regional transit. The study will include bilingual community outreach and recommendations for a potential future program.
The study supports the 2025 Frisco Comprehensive Plan goal to promote walking, biking, and other transportation options, and to improve connections between trip origins, transit, and destinations.
Background
In May 2026, The Town applied for a State of Colado grant to evaluate whether shared e-bikes could reduce short car trips and improve connections between workforce housing, the Main Street area, Summit Boulevard, and the Frisco Transit Center. The State approved a $50,000 grant with a Town commitment of $2,632 in matching grants bringing the total study budget to $52,632. The grant period is November 1, 2026, through October 31, 2027.
Council Discussion and Decision
Council approved Resolution 26-25 on the consent agenda to move forward with this feasibility study.
Adopting the 2026 Summit County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Summit County, along with local partners including municipalities, developed a plan to guide county and town officials and staff to coordinate and implement activities that will protect the people and property of the County from the effects of natural and human-caused hazards. It provides a list of mitigation goals and related actions to assist the participating jurisdictions in reducing risk and preventing loss from future hazard events. By reducing exposure to known hazard risks, communities will save lives and property and minimize the social, economic, and environmental disruptions that commonly follow hazard events.
The Summit County Hazard Mitigation Plan was also developed to maintain Summit County’s and participating jurisdictions’ (including the Town of Frisco) eligibility for federal disaster assistance, specifically the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grants and the Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant program.
The goals of the 2026 Summit County Hazard Mitigation Plan are:
- Goal 1: Reduce risk to the people, property, and environment of Summit County from the impacts of hazards
- Goal 2: Protect critical facilities and infrastructure
- Goal 3: Minimize economic losses
- Goal 4: Implement the mitigation actions identified in the plan
Council Decision
Council approved Resolution 26-27 on the consent agenda to adopt the 2026 Summit County Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Changes to the Short-Term Rental License Cap Calculation
Staff presented on ordinance in response to the Council discussion and direction provided during the October 13, 2026 Town Council meeting. At that October Council meeting, Council directed staff to return with an ordinance that removed all deed restricted units built in 2026 and beyond from the total residential units used to calculate STR licenses. Staff subsequently drafted proposed code amendments based on that direction provided by Town Council at the October 13, 2026 work session.
In preparation for the October 13 Town Council meeting, staff reviewed the STR cap code language, analyzing if deed restricted units should be included in the overall total of residential units in Town to calculate the number of STR licenses permitted in Frisco, which is currently 25% of all residential units. According to Town Code, 110-38, all residential housing units, regardless status- vacant, rented, owner occupied, or deed restricted, are counted towards the total number of residential housing units. When an income restricted rental housing development, such as The Scout, comes online with fifty-four rental units, this in effect would increase the number of STR licenses available in 2027 by 14.
Background
The Town of Frisco began regulating short-term rental properties in May 2019. Any accommodation unit available for lease for a term of less than thirty consecutive days is required to obtain a short-term rental license. The short-term rental regulations were designed to protect public health, safety, and welfare, preserve residential character, and balance the demands of a tourist-driven economy with the housing needs of the local community. Further information on the STR program can be found on the Town STR webpages.
In 2022, the Town established an STR cap of 25% of residential units within the Town boundaries, which at that time totaled 3,600 total residential units. With 3,600 units, a total of 900 STR licenses were available, or 25% of residential units. These 3,600 residential units included all rental and ownership residential units including deed restricted housing units. As new residential units have been built, the overall number of STR licenses has increased. There are currently 924 STR licenses within the Town of Frisco.
Council Discussion and Decision
Some Councilmembers discussed still wanting to revisit the STR cap, and this encouraged a conversation about what the character of Frisco should be. Council agreed to continue with the 25% cap and noted that the current nine-month waitlist is appropriate. There was also a discussion about the positive economic impact of STRs and that capping STRs below 25% would not encourage sellers to make market value homes more affordable or attainable but would instead encourage more empty homes.
Council approved Ordinance 26-14 on first reading. Second reading will be on November 10, 2026.
Adopting the 2027 Capital Budget and Program
Staff presented Frisco’s 2027 capital program. The expenditures are described in the 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program. Capital projects for 2027 include Town facility/building improvements, dumpster enclosures at 3rd Avenue and Granite Street and the Historic Park and Museum, Exit 203 landscape design, Highway 9 sidewalk and landscape design, Frisco Railpark lighting, Marina Park restrooms, a multipurpose sport court, snowmaking at the Adventure Park, storm sewer repairs, vehicle repairs, and sidewalk/recreational pathway improvements.
Council Decision
Council approved Resolution 26-24 for expenditures of $3,083,550 for capital improvements, repair, and maintenance.
2027 Budget and Mill Levy Adoption
Staff presented Ordinance 26-22, to adopt the 2027 proposed budget. This ordinance budgets for expenditures totaling $41,451,000 and revenues totaling $43,488,000. Details of this ordinance by fund are available in the proposed 2027 budget, as well as in the budget presentation. The 2027 budget proposes using $427,000 in fund reserves to preserve quality core services and continue with programs that are important to the community, with a plan to bring back a seven-month reserve in future years, including taking advantage of savings and any increased revenues in 2027.
2027 Budget Changes to Highlight
- Eliminating the Vendor Fee which allows businesses to keep 3.33% of sales tax that they collect for the Town from customers. The Town will keep approximately $100,000 to $140,000 in taxes through this change if approved by Council at a future meeting, and staff proposed that this fee be used for economic development to benefit businesses.
- Passing credit card fees on to customers who elect to pay for Town fees and services with a credit card. Customers will still be able to pay with e-checks, cash, and traditional checks to avoid credit card fees.
- Use of the Open Space Fund for trail and “Backyard” plan improvements.
Mill Levy: Town’s Portion of Property Tax
As part of the regular budget process each year, staff is required to present Ordinance 26-23, which continues a mill levy in the amount of 0.798 based on the Town of Frisco property tax assessed in 2026, to be collected in 2027. The mill levy can only be increased through approval in a public election, and this ordinance did not impose or increase the mill levy. In Frisco, property tax collections are utilized for the purpose of defraying the expenses in the general fund, and Frisco property tax revenue is forecasted to result in revenues of $315,291in 2027; most property tax revenue is received by and funds Summit County Government operations.
Council Discussion and Decision
Council voted to approve ordinances 26-22 and 26-23 on second reading.
Frisco Town Council Meetings: Ways to Participate
Frisco Town Council meetings are available to view via Civic Plus Resident Portal, Zoom, and YouTube, and are also held in person to make Town Council meetings easier to access for everyone.
The public can provide comment during meetings via Zoom or in person (not on YouTube or Civic Plus), and a public comment period will be available at 7:00pm; during the consideration of ordinances; and at the discretion of Town Council during work session items, which are discussions that don’t require a formal vote by Town Council and do not require public comment.
October 27 packet link: https://friscoco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/634/overview
YouTube: https://youtu.be/iSN8F_a5fc4?si=s_O5HHOc7lvIeks6