The first topic on the agenda of the Town of Lake City Board of Trustees workshop December 17 was to continue an ongoing conversation about an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the Town and Hinsdale County Sheriff’s Office.
Mayor Dave Roberts and trustees were presented with a revised draft of the IGA, which has undergone several revisions factoring in budget restraints, insurance, and information from other small towns comparable to Lake City, and how they make their Sheriff’s IGAs work for them.
“The key to this is,” began Mayor Roberts, “we want law enforcement in our town, and we will have an IGA. The best way to explain this – when I was a trustee, when the Sheriff’s IGA would come up, it was just something we had to do, just renew it. No information, no thought put into it, really. What we’re trying to do is put together an agreement that makes sense. The old one was very strange and what we’re working on doing is putting together something that is fair between the Town and County. Nothing is set in stone yet. We’re just working on something that we can negotiate with that will be fair.”
Roberts went on to say that it was suggested the Town Board compare Lake City to Silverton’s Sheriff IGA, since the towns are similar. “Their budget,” Roberts said, “is 8.3 million a year, and ours is 1.1 [million per year].”
Roberts opened the floor to comments and asked Trustee Jodi Linsey to speak first. “I’m awful glad that we are not just rolling the same IGA over and over with no thought as to what it actually means in our world. From what I’m seeing [in this latest version] reflects a lot of the things that we have discussed in our workshops, so that’s good, and it’s time to lob it back to the County. Do we need to adopt an ordinance, or just give it a thumbs up?”
Attorney Dan Krob, attending the meeting via Zoom, added “what we want to do is be on the same page as far as what we expect and what the County will expect. There will be hiring issues, that’s a statewide issue, and you guys being as remote as you are, it’s beautiful but that presents a challenge. So, we don’t want to put the Sheriff’s Office in a position to say, ‘we’ll give you fifty guys,’ when they can’t ever fulfill that.” Krob went on to say that the IGA should probably provide guidelines for what hours the Town expects the Sheriff to be working, and that a 3 percent increase in cost year upon year was fairly standard to other IGAs he has seen in other small towns. “But that’s completely up to you,” he said.
Linsey replied with, “I think a set number of hours is going to be seen as unreasonable. The Sheriff’s Office will want to know how to track that; will there be timekeeping? I think it opens [the IGA] to issues rather than supplying answers.”
Attorney Krob said, “Generally when I’ve seen these, there’s a breakdown that comes from the Sheriff’s Office that says ‘this is what our employees cost, this is what it costs to get them their vest or their car or whatever, and what we’re asking you [the Town] to pay, comes out to this amount of money.’ So I think it wouldn’t be out of line to ask the County – you [the Town] proposed $100,000 – what do we get for those services, what can we expect? I do think both sides want to work collaboratively, but I think both sides need to be on the same page as far as what is expected.”
Town Manager Lex Mulhall said, “I do think [tracking] hours would be problematic and an administrative burden. As far as the cost, we had put in here $65,000, at a previous workshop someone mentioned $75,000, someone said that was too much, so we included a provision where if they provided a deputy for special events, that took place on town property, we would offer them additional compensations, they could charge us for that. I wanted your feedback on that. That way, also the non-profits wouldn’t have to hire their own security, which they had to do this year, at least for Wine and Music Festival.”
Mulhall went on to say, “They [Hinsdale County] did provide additional information including dispatch fees; what’s expected for next year for just the dispatch fees it’s $69,317, plus a full-time deputy plus benefits plus overtime in the County Deputy Sherriff salary is $66,950. Undersheriff is $72,100. Also – the cost of the vehicles, which they just recently received two new Ford Expeditions, $71,500 each. I mention that because one of the other communities base the cost on one fully-equipped law enforcement vehicle. Then every three years, the cost of the IGA goes up based on a new vehicle being purchased and what the purchase price that year is for that vehicle. That is one of the ways we could approach this. If we did the three percent annual increase, and we paid the $100,548 they said they wanted next year, by 2035 we’re paying $131,193. It will keep going up more and more with that annual three percent increase, which is not really sustainable for us since our revenues aren’t going up three percent every year. Everyone’s cost goes up every year. Something that may be more manageable may be to [look at] the cost of the vehicle – $71,500 every three years, whatever it costs you to replace a vehicle, is what we pay – or something to that effect. Also in here, what was changed based on the conversation we had last time, was the insurance we changed to match some of the other IGAs that we’ve shown as examples, instead of us paying the liability insurance for a full-time police officer, which is another $8,700, we would just be adding them as additionally insured. $65,000 maybe a little too low. But it’s just a placeholder.” Mulhall explained that he was just trying to give a broad overview of what had been changed in the information packets for the trustees, saying that none of the example IGAs provided had the three percent yearly increase, nor did the contracts auto renew, except for in Creede/Mineral County where the price remained unchanged for a period of two years, “but that price is flat,” Mulhall said. “I’m assuming in those, they are covering just the salary.”
Mayor Roberts spoke up then, saying, “we just want police protection, and it’s not just a 9 to 5 anywhere you go. Emergencies happen in the middle of the night, and there are times when you really don’t need anything. And our year is so seasonal, during the summer, we could use five or six more police, whereas right now, you can get by with two. I’m trying to get something through my mind, and maybe you guys can help me. I’ve brought this up multiple times. I don’t understand the differentiation between you live in town or you don’t live in town, because we are all residents of Hinsdale County. I pay the same mill levy on my home located within the Town of Lake City. I feel like as a resident of Hinsdale County, I’m entitled to the same police protection as somebody who lives at the lake, or out in a subdivision of the town. The purpose behind an IGA is things above and beyond what you would normally get as far as police protection from our Sheriff. So, our special ordinances, and things that we’re asking them to enforce for us is where the additional money comes in. I know we need an IGA and I want to do it, but can we afford $100,000 and is what we’re asking worth $100,000?”
Trustee Diane Bruce, attending the meeting remotely via Zoom, said, “First of all, I agree with what Dave just said. I think getting into the County’s budget for the Sherriff’s Office is getting into the weeds. That is the County’s business. We do pay the same taxes as unincorporated to support that budget. I don’t think it’s relevant discussing what different things cost. It’s the cost of doing business, is what it is. The new vehicles that were purchased due to the fact that the older ones were about to not be in operational condition anymore. I do agree with Jodi that if were to designate a length of time or a number of hours or days – I think that would be a nightmare, and I don’t think that needs to be in there at all. It never has been, and like Dave said, it would be as an as-needed situation. A Sherriff’s Office is a 24-7 situation in any County.”
Trustee Landon Whinnery asked, “is it possible for us to add a section where we make it mandatory for the Sherriff to appear so we can ask questions?” Mulhall replied that as an elected position, this would be at the Sherriff’s discretion. “In this we do have,” said Mulhall, “two things: the Sherriff or a designee will meet with the Town Trustees on an as-needed basis as determined by the Board of Trustees and mutually agreeable by the Sherriff and that these meetings may occur in an effort to maintain communication but will not be required more than quarterly. Also that the Sherriff will meet with the Municipal Judge, Municipal Court Clerk and Town Attorney on an as-needed basis to discuss the citations that are being issued in Municipal Court.”
Mayor Roberts pointed out that because the Sherriff is an elected position, they have the right to run their office as they see fit, and thus their reporting is at their discretion.
Mulhall wanted to clarify, “the things the Sherriff enforces in our code are the model traffic code, which is already mirrored to the County; the fire ban – we automatically go into the same fire ban when the County declares it, we don’t even have to pass a resolution, it’s automatic and fire restrictions are also enforced by the Sherriff; and Off Highway Vehicle rules, they are identical except for that small discrepancy about hours of operation. So really, the things that we’re asking in this modified version [of the IGA] is just to enforce the things that the County already has on the books, that we’ve already mirrored. There’s really nothing above and beyond, it’s just basic enforcement.”
Attorney Krob asked, “are there specific changes anyone wants, or is this a good starting spot where we can pass this off to the County and say, ‘here’s what we’re thinking, let’s open a dialogue so we can get somewhere and keep all our citizen safe?’”
Mayor Roberts concluded the discussion saying, “I’m looking for a win-win situation. I always like those, and keep it simple as possible. I appreciate all the work that’s gone into this. If we fine-tune a few things, send it to the County and see whatever comes out.”
The next item in the workshop was to discuss Resolution 2025-18, which refers to an affordable housing fast track policy. Mulhall explained, “with the local planning capacity grant that we received, the state is requiring by a deadline at the end of next year, that all communities do [this], however if we get it done this year, before the end of the year, then we will be eligible for an additional $50,000 with that grant and it has no match. We would create a scope of work to help implement the housing strategy, which will be completed in a couple weeks. What this says is, any application we get, like a building permit for an affordable housing development or whatever it is, we are putting a policy in place saying that it will be reviewed and either approved or denied in 90 days either way. We already meet that requirement, it’s just they want to see a policy specifically for affordable housing with certain state language in it, and that’s what this does.”
Mayor Roberts said, “there are so many people working on this, trying to get us this workforce housing project, and based on all the studies they’ve done, it’s crucial for our town. And fifty thousand is fifty thousand. If that can help us with this project, I am in support.” This matter was an action item during the regular meeting, and unsurprisingly passed unanimously.
Later in the workshop, Resolution 2025-19, calling for a regular municipal election by mail ballot on April 7, 2026 was briefly discussed, with Mayor Roberts saying the item was a “formality; people are up for election and it’s hard to elect people without an election.”
Mulhall agreed saying, “yes, just a formality; we need to do it now. January 6 is when the candidate petitions can go around.” This was also an action item during the regular meeting, and also passed unanimously.
Next up was to discuss Ordinance 2025-05 vacating the alley on lots 1-11 and 22-32, Block 21. Mulhall explained that these were lots near the Medical Center where eventually the Town hopes to build the workforce housing complex. Mulhall explained that this is just one of the “many, many steps that we’re going to need to take, so we might as well just get it out of the way, and it is simply vacating the alley that’s on those lots.”
Trustee Henry Woods said, “it’s just a suggestion, that we retain the part by the river open to permanent public access.”
Mulhall said, “the intention is to keep that trail along the side [open to the public].” Attorney Krob also reiterated, “that’s going to be on the scope of this. All this is saying is that we won’t use that specific right-of-way. We’re still the underlying property owners. If we want to create an easement or some kind of access, we can certainly do that. I find it cleaner to vacate in one Ordinance because there are statutory requirements about leaving a property without access or if it’s not going to be used for municipal purpose – all that stuff.”
Mayor Roberts said, “I think as people have seen from the modeling layout that has been done [for the affordable housing complex], there is a provision in there to keep that walking trail and as it develops, maybe even making it more park-like and that will be nice for the people who live there. I don’t think anyone here is trying to block access. I agree with Dan, let’s just keep this simple.” This matter also passed unanimously during action items.
The next item on the workshop agenda had drawn a crowd; local realtors Michael Murphy (former Town Trustee) of Murphy Real Estate, Danielle Worthen of Hall Realty, as well as local property owner and former Town Trustee Jud Hollingsworth were all in attendance, among others. The matter at hand, Ordinance 2025-06, restricting short term rentals in multi-family housing complexes, brought these individuals to the table in hopes of voicing their concerns.
Mulhall kicked off the discussion saying, “this was based on the discussion by the Board and suggestions that our housing consultants had, and because of the limited number of rentals available in town. I didn’t really have a chance to read this until this morning, and this does not apply to commercial lodging businesses. I got a call from G&M Cabins and one of the RV parks with concerns over this. There needs to be greater detail and clarity in here as far as who and what it applies to.” Addressing the audience, Mulhall said, “I can see why certain people would be concerned. We need to do some work on it and we definitely need to not act on this tonight.” Trustee Linsey concluded, “it’s a first draft.”
Murphy said, “You’ve got a real legal issue if you start taking away someone’s bundle of rights within their real estate.”
Roberts said, “I just got to read it through today. It’s very vague and very preliminary and I think people need to understand why this discussion even began, and that was working with these housing consultants and trying to get going with workforce housing, they look at the numbers of units and we as a board had thought…we haven’t [reached our cap] of short-term rentals, but it’s happening all over the state. We were asked to look at that and it would help us in our project by doing our best to maintain year-round housing. I was surprised to see it as an action item tonight, because we have a long way to go as far as what is it achieving and is it in the best interest for the community?”
Murphy spoke again, saying, “I wanted to bring up Jud and Marian Hollingsworth, and I know Jud is sitting behind me and I’m not speaking for him, I’m speaking about him. They’ve done the community a service keeping that building (the apartment complex on Ocean Wave Drive) with low rent. If you’re going to go and punish them – they need it for retirement or the next buyer needs it for short-term rental, you are reducing the value of that property, there’s no question. This is still America.”
The room at this point erupted with many comments coming from many different people, Board and citizens alike.
Attorney Krob asked to speak and said, “I thought this was being brought as a preliminary matter. This is absolutely why we have this public discourse. You guys may have very valid thoughts because I’ve never considered the specifics there, and I’d love to hear them all. We all agree this shouldn’t be an action item. I apologize – this was just supposed to get the conversation started.”
Danielle Worthen was called upon to speak, and she said, “I appreciate the conversation. Thank you for not taking a vote on this tonight. When I first read it today, my realtor alarm bells went off because as written, by my count there would be 20 properties that would be affected. It says, ‘no short term rental permit shall be issued to any multi-family dwelling including but not limited to condominiums, apartments, townhomes or similar structures. So you think about G&M Cabins, those are all condominiums and they are in the Central Business District, which segues back into why its so important to reference whatever district you are affecting. The other question I had was – out of those 20, I have seven apartment buildings, three condominium properties and three duplexes, and one of those duplexes do air B&B, I know two apartment complexes that also do air B&B. There’s also one common interest community – The Iron Kettle. Is that a quote-unquote similar property? Anyway – I’m glad we’re having the conversation and I think you guys understand the concerns from the public – when we read it and said, ‘now, wait a minute.’ It would definitely kill some revenue with that happening.”
Mayor Roberts reiterated that the Ordinance was in a very preliminary stage, saying he appreciated all the feedback and hoped that the audience members would help the Town develop the idea to everyone’s satisfaction. “The intent was,” said Roberts, “to keep a balance in the town and we have got to have more long-term housing. The money in the short term rental market sounds really great, but there are towns like Breckenridge who are in huge trouble and homes are going into foreclosure left and right, because the investors came in and bought them up as fast as they could and it’s killing them now. We need to be smart about it – to get more families in here to keep a balance in the community.”
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