City 2011 budget includes increase for public works, small surplus
 The City of Castle Pines’ $3.5 million budget for 2011 includes a dramatic increase in public works for street maintenance, repairs and capital projects, and City leaders anticipate finishing the year with a small surplus.
For 2011, City leaders almost doubled the budget allocation for public works maintenance activities and capital investment funding for street reconstruction to just over $1 million total.
This budgeting is driven by the results of a pavement management study conducted in the past year. The City is taking a multi-year approach to addressing the needs identified in that study, prioritizing those repairs needed in the short term and carrying out needed improvements over the next five years. This plan represents a “catch-up” period since taking over maintenance responsibilities from Douglas County.
Other budget highlights include:
- Utilizing experienced personnel for the establishment of a water and wastewater department to handle growth in current and future annexations.
- Transitioning a number of key positions to direct City employees as Castle Pines continues to mature.
As in 2010, the City does not plan to use annexation fees for ongoing operations in 2011. Those fees were negotiated as a means to fund improvements and changes caused by annexation and will be used solely for that purpose.
For a more comprehensive look at the budget, visit the City’s website.
Sheriff discusses services, Community Safety
Volunteer program
 Earlier this week, residents had an opportunity to hear Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver (on right in photo with Castle Pines resident Dick Lichtenheld) discuss the services his department provides to Castle Pines under an intergovernmental agreement.
Weaver, the 32nd Douglas County Sheriff, told attendees at the Jan. 4 joint community ward meeting that the 4.5 mills in property tax revenue paid to the DCSO provides Castle Pines with 24-hour coverage throughout the year. A sampling of services includes investigations, patrols, drug enforcement, hazardous materials team, bomb squad, SWAT team and the county jail. The DCSO has 132 officers covering the 844 square miles of Douglas County.
“The lights are never off at the Justice Center,” Weaver said. “Cars are always running.”
In addition to the officers, Weaver also noted that the DCSO proudly includes the Community Safety Volunteer (CSV) Program, which began in April 2006. Since its introduction, 57 Douglas County citizens have graduated from the program and now are involved in supporting the work of Douglas County’s law enforcement professionals.
The CSV is community policing in its most basic form – a structured way for citizens to participate in helping provide for the safety and security of their own community. CSVs are citizen volunteers who attend a training academy consisting of over 100 hours of field and classroom instruction and contribute a minimum of 16 hours of volunteer time each month after graduation.
Since inception of the program, CSV members have made significant contributions to Douglas County by volunteering thousands of hours.
“Their eyes and ears are critical,” the Sheriff said. “It is staggering what the volunteers give back. Citizens make the difference.”
Residents interested in participating in the CSV can visit www.dcsheriff.net and click on the Community Safety Volunteer link for personal requirements and additional information.
City joins with Colorado Local First to promote
local businesses
 In an effort to help strengthen and sustain the Castle Pines commercial district and businesses, City Council recently approved the City’s participation in “Colorado Local First,” a project of the Mile High Business Alliance. The web-based marketing venue promotes the value of patronizing locally owned establishments that provide a positive community impact including:
- Environment – Buying things made closer to home reduces fossil fuel use and the associated carbon impact, and saves you money.
- Local Economy – Local businesses buy more often from other local businesses, so money you spend is retained in the community in a more concentrated fashion.
- Local Flavor – The experience at a local establishment is completely unique – providing the local flavor of the area.
- Community Care – Local entrepreneurs are more connected to our community. Because they live here, too, they are more likely to get involved in community efforts.
- Voicing Your Opinion – You are voting with your dollar when you support local businesses.
Participation in Colorado Local First includes media campaigns, posters and decals to identify local businesses, and an interactive directory of local businesses that enables people to browse for locally owned businesses and submit feedback and comments about those businesses and their activities. CLF also will produce a “Local Flavor Guide” for Castle Pines, highlighting local businesses and restaurants.
Funding for this program was made through the Castle Pines Economic Development Council, which will be coordinating this effort with the MHBA.
$350K arrives from COGO for Elk Ridge Park
 The City recently received a pleasant holiday gift in the form of a $350,000 check from Great Outdoors Colorado (COGO), the first installment on a $700,000 grant. Last year, the Castle Pines Parks Authority Board, on the City’s behalf, applied for and received the grant to assist with construction of the new $4 million Elk Ridge Park. COGO is funded through the Colorado Lottery. The City will receive the remainder of the granting upon the park’s completion schedule for later this year.
The grant allowed the addition of enhancements that would not otherwise have been possible. The 10-acre park is located on Mira Vista Lane, just north of American Academy. Features will include a multi-purpose synthetic field, about three miles of concrete and natural trails, a water play area and playgrounds for children, a climbing wall, a promenade area, shelters and picnic tables.
"I am pleased that we are being recognized by GOCO for this great project and look forward to completing Elk Ridge Park,” says Parks Authority President Anna Mallinson.” Thank you must go to the City for facilitating the grant process."
Our focus – increasing direct communication
with citizens
 The City of Castle Pines has reached a point in its development - including facing an increasing number of critical issues - that City Council felt it was vital to expand and enhance our direct communication with our citizens. People need and desire to have access to information about the issues facing the community, and the City in turn needs their direct input and feedback in the decision-making process. The objective is to provide factual, unfiltered information which citizens can use to form their own opinions and make thoughtful decisions.
City Council identified communications as a priority in the City's 2010-11 goals: "Improve the transparency, accountability and efficiency of local government, consistently communicating our actions and rationale." Certainly one of the most effective ways to improve transparency and accountability is to communicate directly and more frequently with our residents and business owners.
Among the communications strategies being developed to achieve that goal are the creation of a new print newsletter, The Castle Pines Citizen; a more proactive media relations effort; continuing the monthly e-newsletter News & Notes; continuing periodic email alerts; producing an enhanced annual report; developing a visual library of photography to be used in all communications vehicles; revising and enhancing the City website; expanded use of social media; use of media advertising where appropriate; and providing more opportunities for citizen input, including a Web-based survey focusing on communications.
To implement these strategies and achieve the overall goal Castle Pines, after an extensive search and interview process, contracted with CH2M HILL to provide these services. The company has provided a range of city services, including limited communications, since 2008. While approximately $35,000 was spent on communications last year, Council has increased this budget item to $65,000 annually, which is not an unusual amount for a city of this size to carry out this critical function.
As Castle Pines has matured from a concept in late 2006 to a fully functional City our communications approach has needed to adapt. During the pre-incorporation phase, the focus was very much on the ideas of a City. After incorporation the focus shifted towards progress in the tasks of starting a new City. Now that the City is fully functional, the focus shifts again to how we are actively using the autonomy of incorporation to make this a better place to live, where the emphasis will be on the sense of place of Castle Pines.
Sealing work continues into 2011
As 2010 came to a close, the Public Works department was working with a contractor to perform joint sealing on several City streets including Castle Pines Parkway, Monarch Boulevard and Buffalo Trail. Work began Dec. 15 and is approximately 50 percent complete. This project is on hold due to the cold weather, but will resume as soon as temperatures warm up. Officials anticipate completing this project within the next 2-3 weeks.
Other Public Works activities scheduled in the month of January include: Snow and ice control management, pothole patching as necessary, street sweeping as needed and asphalt pavement crack sealing (weather permitting).
City offices closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
City offices will be closed Jan. 17 in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Offices will re-open at 8:30 a.m. the following business day. |
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