4A Strong Summit Schools Presentation
During the October 13, 2026 meeting, Frisco Town Council heard a presentation from Strong Summit Schools, the organization promoting ballot question 4A: Summit County Public Schools mill levy override. November 2026 ballots include this ballot question about whether to allow the Summit School District to raise their revenue by $5.9 million a year to fund teacher and staff retention and recruitment, fund career and technical education, and support academic outcomes and closing the achievement gap. This would be an increase in property tax, resulting in a rise of approximately $109 a year in property tax on a home valued at $1 million.
Tony Byrd and Joe Kassey presented in support of 4A. Joe Kassey described his experience as a history teacher and how difficult it is to retain and recruit experienced teachers. Support staff see 40% turnover every year and 160 teaching positions have opened over the past five years, as teachers left these positions. They described how retention of experienced teachers benefits students and their achievement. The presentation also described how education across the whole State of Colorado is $4 billion short to achieve adequate funding. There was also discussion about how ballot initiative NN will benefit schools statewide by retaining TABOR refunds for education.
Council Discussion
Council asked about the impact if 4A does not pass, and it was explained that positions will likely need to be cut, pay could likely not increase resulting in continued high turnover, and career and technical education could not be deepened and improved. Later in the meeting, Council considered a resolution to support this ballot issue. Council voiced overall support for ballot issue 4A and for the school district.
Resolution 26-26 in Support of 4A
Council considered Resolution 26-26 in support of ballot question 4A: Summit County Public Schools Mill Levy Override.
Town Council wanted to consider this resolution in support Ballot Issue 4A: Summit County Public Schools Mill Levy Override which would generate approximately $4.5 million for teacher and staff compensation to improve recruitment and retention, $400,000 to expand career and technical education and hands-on career-connected learning opportunities, and $1 million to add student support positions targeting reading, math, special education, and other academic priorities identified through the District’s Unified Improvement Plans.
Council Decision
Council voted to approve Resolution 26-26 in support of 4A.
Short-Term Rentals: Limitations on Number of Licenses
Staff presented information to Council regarding the Short-Term Rental (STR) cap, focusing on whether residential units with restrictive covenants/deed restrictions should be included in the annual recalculation of STR licenses under Town Code Section 110-38.
Background
The Town of Frisco began regulating short-term rental properties in May of 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 website regarding short term rentals in Frisco.
In 2022, the Town established an STR cap of 25% of residential units within the Town boundaries, which at that time totaled 3,600 units. With 3,600 units, a total of 900 STR licenses were available or 25% of residential units. The 3,600 units included all rental and ownership residential units including deed restricted housing. As new units have been built, the overall number of STR licenses has increased. There are currently 924 STR licenses within the Town of Frisco. While there is currently a waitlist for STR licenses, approximately 40 units came off the waitlist and were able to obtain a STR license this year alone. The wait is around nine months on the current Frisco STR waitlist.
Council Discussion and Direction
Council had a lengthy discussion about whether to remove existing units with a deed restriction/restrictive covenant from the STR calculation and the impact on the community and the economy. Council also wanted to have more data around how many owner occupied STRs there are in Frisco, and staff explained that there were approximately 140 owner occupied units based on zip code data. Council also discussed how the STR excise tax approved by voters supports workforce/affordable housing in Frisco.
Council directed staff to proceed with drafting an ordinance to modify Town Code, Chapter 110, Section 38 regarding the limitations on number of STR licenses issued by exempting any new housing units built in 2026 that have a deed restriction/restrictive covenant recorded on them. Council decided not to include units with deed restrictions/restrictive covenants built before 2026. This ordinance will be presented at a future Town Council meeting.
Agreement with Unsheltered in Summit for Use of the Marina Trailhead Lot
For the past three winter seasons, the Summit Safe Parking Program utilized the Frisco Marina Trailhead parking lot for a program to provide safe residential parking for area workforce. Each year, Council has approved an agreement for use of the Marina Trailhead parking lot for the Safe Parking Program.
A total of 25 parking spaces are made available at the Marina Trailhead parking lot as part of this program. The lot has been filled each winter season with a waitlist managed by the administrative team with Unsheltered. The program provides sanitation (port-a-lets) and trash collection for its members to maintain an orderly site. Unsheltered in Summit has requested use of the Marina Trailhead parking lot for the 2026-2027 winter season.
Background
Unsheltered in Summit developed The Summit Safe Parking Program in 2019 to provide a designated, secure location in parking lots for members of the local workforce to sleep in their vehicles. For the 2022-2023 winter season, Unsheltered requested usage of the Marina Trailhead parking lot. Town Council approved Emergency Ordinance 22-12 in October 2022 amending Chapter 180 of the Code of Ordinances to accommodate this residential use of parking lots. During that same meeting, Town Council also approved a Revocable License Agreement with Unsheltered for use of the Marina Trailhead parking lot for the Safe Parking Program.
Council Decision
Council approved the revocable license agreement allowing Unsheltered in Summit to make the Marina Trailhead parking lot available for the Summit Safe Parking Program.
2026 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 $315,291 in 2027; most property tax revenue is received by and funds Summit County Government operations.
Council Discussion and Decision
Council asked how the budget will be adapted if 2027 has challenges around snow and weather. Staff explained that 2026 was a prime example of how to adjust to shifting conditions and used the changes around the Marina budget as an example.
Council approved Ordinances 26-22 and 26-23 on the first reading. The second readings will be held on October 27, 2026.
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 13, packet link: https://friscoco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/621/overview