A plan to activate Downtown’s alleys into spaces for safe walking and biking that are also functional for adjacent businesses and the annual audit of the Town’s finances were topics on Town Council’s June 21 meeting agenda.  
 
 Here is a closer look:

• Downtown Alley Plan – Town Council approved the 2022 Downtown Alley Plan. The plan aims to improve pedestrian and bicycle mobility in Downtown alleys while providing opportunities for businesses to expand outdoor dining and other opportunities.

The plan was primarily funded by a grant from the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Extensive public input was collected during the planning process, which started last year.

 The plan includes a pavement design that’s welcoming to pedestrians and bikes as well as identifies opportunities for street furnishings, public art, increased lighting and overall aesthetics within alleys Downtown. Funding to implement the plan has not been identified; Town staff will be seeking grants, partnerships and other potential sources of funds to bring the plan to life.

 Learn more at CRgov.com/DowntownAlleys. 

 Watch the presentation and Council discussion: https://castlerock-co.granicus.com/player/clip/1402?meta_id=177051

• Town financial audit – State law and the Town Charter require an annual independent audit of the Town’s financial statements by certified public accountants. The goal is to ensure the Town’s financial documents are appropriately stated.
   
  FORVIS completed its audit of the Town’s 2021 financials and issued a clean opinion on them. The full audit and an abbreviated version for the public is posted at CRgov.com/FinancialReports.

To summarize briefly, the Town’s financial position remained strong in 2021. Sales taxes provided 38% of the revenue toward governmental services including fire, police and roads, while property tax provided only 1% of associated revenue. User charges, grants and other contributions comprised another 46% of the funding for those services. Of the 406 positions funded in these areas, 53% provide fire or police services.

 The Town’s debt decreased by $6.3 million, or 6%, in 2021. The Town has no general obligation (tax-supported) debt, and its credit rating remains strong.

Watch the presentation and Council discussion: https://castlerock-co.granicus.com/player/clip/1402?meta_id=177037

Coming up

The next regular Town Council meeting is Tuesday, July 5. Visit CRgov.com/CouncilComments between June 30 and July 5 to provide written feedback, or to sign up to speak via videoconference during the meeting. The meeting will be available live at CRgov.com/CouncilMeeting. In-person attendance will also be available.

Questions? Email all Councilmembers at TownCouncil@CRgov.com, or find your Council representative at CRgov.com/Council; sign up for email updates by clicking “Get Email Updates.” Updates include summaries of top Council items, as well as previews of Council meetings.

View Town Council agendas at CRgov.com/Agendas. Watch Council live at CRgov.com/WatchCouncil, or catch a recording there after the meeting. Town Council meetings are also broadcast live and replayed on Comcast Channel 22.

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