Capital Facilities Issues
Issue 1: There is an over-reliance on sales tax as the primary revenue source for capital projects.
Recent economic and geo-political developments have highlighted the inherent variability and instability of sales tax as a municipal revenue source. Because capital facility planning and financing require stable revenue sources, sales taxes are not well suited as a primary revenue source for this purpose. Property taxes tend to be a more stable revenue source, and this may prove to be a more appropriate principal source for capital facility financing. Other stable revenue sources should be researched and potentially earmarked for capital projects. Additionally, a portion of revenue surpluses should be reserved for capital funding.
Issue 2: Land acquisition needs to be a component of the capital improvement program.
The City has traditionally viewed land acquisition as a capital project. The City has historically leveraged significant amounts of grants and other outside revenue sources for this purpose. Land acquisition needs to continue be significant part of the CIP, but this component must be balanced among alternative, competing capital needs. Land acquisition can serve many purposes, including open space for passive and active recreation and public facilities (for example, library, community center, water/sewer treatment plants, etc.). However, land acquisition can also serve as a centerpiece in public-private partnerships, which is a role that the City may wish to investigate to solve multiple community goals. Flexibility should be provided in the CIP for the City to reallocate capital project priorities and timing if land acquisition opportunities emerge.
Issue 3: Adequate funds for Steamboat’s ski town and western heritage.
Consistent with the goals, policies and priorities established by other elements of the Community Plan, the CIP needs to include adequate funds for items such as ski jumps, rodeo grounds, and open space acquisition. These items are fundamental to the community heritage and character that make Steamboat a unique place. Such expenditures will in turn generate additional sales tax as this heritage attracts visitors.
Issue 4: Transportation And Public Safety Issues Should Be Focus Of Ski Base Area.
The City should limit its involvement in funding capital projects for the purpose of revitalization of the ski base area to those improvements that are specifically related to transportation and pedestrian safety. The balance of the capital projects necessary for ski base redevelopment should be funded by private entities, either individual developers or special improvement districts. The City should attempt to leverage its capital expenditures in the ski base area to encourage private redevelopment and revitalization.
Issue 5: Need For Encompassing Family/Community Center
The City should evaluate the development of a single multi-purpose community center that would satisfy a variety of needs. The community center could include flexible programming components that would allow it to function as a youth center, recreation facility, and community meeting place.
Issue 6: Diversify And Stabilize The Local Economy.
The community currently tends to rely on big, high-impact events for sales tax revenue. Not only is there potential instability and uncertainty associated with this reliance on large events, but there are significant impacts on the community as well. The CIP could include funding for a Convention/Arts center, which would provide more reliable and consistent events with less impact on the community. Such a facility would also allow for events to be spread out through the calendar year, instead of a winter and summer focus. Through a public-private partnership, the City could participate in the land acquisition and construction of such a facility, but could allow the operations to be managed by another entity.
Issue 7: Capital Projects Should Be Balanced.
The CIP needs to concentrate on Mountain and Old Town Areas equally, but should preserve and enhance the unique identities of each area. The CIP should support both the commercial and residential districts of both areas. Efforts should be made to improve the connectivity between each area through public transportation, vehicular and pedestrian improvements. The differing characters of these areas should be preserved while enhancing the linkages between them to reduce the perceived separation of each area.
Issue 8: The CIP Should Address Downtown Improvements.
Based on the policies established by other Community Plan elements, the CIP should address the capital needs of the downtown area. Areas of particular focus might include parking structures, pedestrian improvements on Oak and Yampa Streets, and public restrooms.
Two additional items were discussed as possible inclusions within the CIP guidelines, although the Working Group did not feel that these items should be considered key issues. The additional items are summarized in the following sections:
- Energy conservation and green concepts should be considered with all capital projects.
- Capital projects should be completed during economic down times to support the local economy.
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