Early Childhood Options (ECO) Update
Early Childhood Options Executive Director, Catherine Schaaf, provided an Early Childhood Options update and impact on the Summit County community. ECO works to ensure that “all young children, families, and early childhood professionals in Summit County are valued, healthy and thriving.” They offer these major programs and services:
- Child Care Resource and Referral
- Summit Tuition Assistance Program
- Summit County Right Start Project
- Summit County Head Start 0-5
- Early Childhood Council
ECO receives state and federal funding, as well as local funding, for these programs and services. One of their highest priorities is to continue discussions with the County and towns about how to prioritize funds as needs increase and/or shift while keeping state and federal changes in mind. Ms. Schaaf reminded the Council that for every dollar invested in Early Childhood, there is a return on investment of $17.
Council Discussion
Council had questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) changes required and the assistance the ECO office provides to help parents determine the correct path for applying to early education for their children. Additionally, they discussed the impact that this program has on local families with early childhood education. ECO provided an update on childcare capacity, noting slight relief for older children alongside ongoing shortages for infants and toddlers.
Mid-Year Financial & Budget Update
Leslie Edwards, Finance Director, gave a mid-year and budget update during the work session to set the stage for the 2027 budget process. Frisco remains financially strong, but 2027 budget development will require careful planning because revenue growth is slowing, inflationary pressures remain, and some economically sensitive revenues are showing signs of stagnation. The Finance Department’s current forecast assumes Town sales tax will be down 2% in 2026, increase 1% in 2027 over 2025, and increase 2% in 2028. Total overall General Fund revenue is currently projected to decline 1.3% in 2026 and increase 2% in 2027, which is essentially flat compared to 2025.
Key challenges the Town of Frisco faces include reliance on a tourism-based economy, weather and climate variability, consumer confidence, inflation, gas prices, and limited land for development. Opportunities include Frisco’s Main Street character, premium family visitor experience, regional access, outdoor amenities, grocery sector, redevelopment activity, light industrial and service-based businesses, code updates, and the Town’s strong credit rating and financial position.
Council Discussion
Council members inquired when updated sales tax revenue would be reported and were informed that September’s report will include data from June and July. Budgeting guidance from Council was to remain flat and conservative in finances while looking ahead to assess priorities.
Waste Reduction Strategies Overview
This work session reviewed the Town’s waste reduction strategies including, Pay As You Throw (PAYT), Universal Recycling, and other related programs. The Town continues to implement sustainability efforts aimed at achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. All of this work also supports Summit County’s goal of a 40% diversion rate by 2035.
Overall, compliance is increasing in Frisco, and staff are optimistic about such compliance. Residential compliance is good, and the goal is to continue to improve commercial compliance. Waste reduction requirements including disposable bag requirements, plastic bag restrictions, “Skip the Stuff” requirements, expanded polystyrene food container restrictions, and single-use plastic water bottle restrictions are all in effect and all complement PAYT and Universal Recycling by reducing waste at the source. Glass is also now allowed in single-stream recycling, which is a positive change.
To assist local businesses and homeowners in meeting Universal Recycling requirements, the Town offers financial assistance to cover structural improvements, new bins, and signage for an amount up to $10,000 per application. Waivers or variances may also be applied for through an online form on the Town’s website to provide flexibility and problem-solving resources.
Two upcoming sustainable projects and programs include the restaurant compost project and the Main Street waste and recycling container improvements.
Northwest Colorado Council of Governments (NWCCOG) Economic Summit Results
NWCCOG Executive Director, Jon Stavney, presented on the NWCCOG’s Regional Statistical Analysis Project. The Northwest Colorado Regional Statistical Analysis Project was initiated to better understand how mountain and rural communities, including Frisco, are navigating a rapidly changing economic, social, and governance environment.
To better understand these conditions, The Insights Collective conducted a three-part research initiative consisting of executive interviews, a regional survey of community leaders, and a qualitative review of open-ended survey responses. The project aimed to identify what issues communities are facing and to better understand how local leaders interpret those challenges, where they see opportunities, and what underlying themes may be shaping the future of Northwest Colorado.
Participants repeatedly demonstrated a clear understanding of the issues confronting their communities. There was little disagreement regarding the major challenges facing the region. Housing shortages, workforce pressures, infrastructure demands, affordability concerns, and environmental risks were widely recognized regardless of geography or organizational role. The findings suggest that Northwest Colorado communities are not struggling because they lack awareness of their challenges. They are struggling because many of those challenges are becoming larger, more interconnected, and more difficult to address using existing systems.
The research also highlights the importance of viewing community challenges through a systems lens. Housing cannot be separated from workforce retention. Workforce retention cannot be separated from economic vitality. Economic vitality cannot be separated from infrastructure, tourism, environmental resilience, or quality of life. These issues increasingly influence one another, suggesting that future solutions may require a more integrated and collaborative approach than in the past.
Council Discussion
The timing of this presentation coincides well with an upcoming Council retreat and budget work sessions. Council thanked staff for the comprehensive report and discussed opportunities to address shared regional issues alongside neighboring towns. Members noted that while local communities often share similar overarching goals, each retains its own distinct identity and strengths.
Recognition
Tim Ventrella was recognized by Mayor Ihnken and the Town Council for his 25 Years of Service to the Town of Frisco Public Works Department. Thank you, Tim!
Ordinance Authorizing the Replacement of Water Main on Lagoon Drive
Council approved Ordinance 26-18 authorizing the replacement of a water main on Lagoon Drive.
Xcel Utility Thermal Energy Networks (UTEN) Partners Update
Town Council received an update from Xcel Energy on the Frisco Utility Thermal Energy Network (UTEN) demonstration project, which would use underground geothermal boreholes and piping to provide heating and cooling to participating buildings.
Xcel had two requests:
- Agree to test borehole location. Xcel requested support for a test bore hole drilled by August 2026 in the Town Hall parking lot near the clock tower on the Madison Avenue side of Town Hall. The test bore is intended to confirm subsurface thermal and geotechnical conditions needed to design the larger network.
- Agree to full-scale borehore locations, which entail ~125 boreholes installed in 2028. Xcel requested a verbal agreement from Council that Town avenue rights-of-way throughout Frisco may be used as potential borefield locations as the project advances through design. This direction would allow Xcel to continue engineering using the avenue rights-of-way as a design assumption. Xcel will return with refined locations, additional design details, and a formal agreement for Town consideration before permanent construction.
Xcel has advised Town staff that it is working under a compressed regulatory schedule and needs 100% design filed with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) by December 10, 2026.
Council Discussion
Council supported moving forward with a test bore at the Town Hall parking lot in August 2026. The test will help Xcel better understand underground conditions and provide information needed to continue designing the proposed system.
Looking ahead, Xcel is considering construction of the larger system beginning in 2028. Town staff will continue working closely with Xcel to identify potential locations that minimize impacts to residents, businesses, parking, traffic, utilities, and future Town projects.
Council’s direction allows Xcel to continue evaluating potential locations within Town rights-of-way but does not approve final borehole locations or permanent construction. Xcel will return to the Town with more detailed designs and formal agreements before the full system moves forward.
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), 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. Again, this hybrid approach is intended to make Town Council meetings more accessible.