Aspen City Council addresses additional parts of 2025 budget
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
The city of Aspen held a work session to discuss the second part of the proposed 2024 budget Monday.
The Parks and Open Space Department presented a total request of $21,558,184 in expenditures. Of this amount, $1,723,318 was designated for forestry and natural areas, along with $1,038,470 for trail improvements.
The department highlighted its need to continue upkeep across the city’s numerous public spaces and trails, which attract both residents and visitors throughout the year.
City Councilmember Bill Guth encouraged Parks and Open Space staff to look into other options for replacements for certain items and to look into refurbishment options, especially as it relates to $175,000 in the aquatics locker replacement. Both Mayor Torre and City Councilmember Sam Rose agreed.
City Councilmember Ward Hauenstein had concerns that labor costs might negate any savings created by opting for refurbishment over new equipment.
Specific initiatives outlined in the capital budget include improvements to amenities at Conner Park, Koch volleyball renovations, and the Marolt Skills Trail Project, along with supplemental requests for wildlife programs, wildfire mitigation, and communications equipment.
Guth had questions about why Parks and Open Space needs both radios and cell phones. Parks and Open Space Director Matt Kuhn said that Park Rangers are the ones who rely on radios for emergencies, while cell phones are used for other communications.
The Aspen Police Department followed with its budget request, seeking a total of $9,687,550 for expenditures. The department’s operational budget amounted to $8,841,750. These operational funds cover the core law enforcement functions of the department, including personnel costs, training, and general day-to-day operations.
The department underscored the importance of maintaining a well-trained and adequately staffed police force to manage Aspen’s unique challenges, which include a fluctuating population that increases dramatically during the tourist season. The department said they require sufficient personnel to ensure public safety and respond to emergencies.
The operational budget also includes funding for specialized training initiatives aimed at improving officers’ abilities in areas such as emergency response, conflict resolution, and community policing.
Hauenstein and Guth both expressed concerns over Aspen Police Department’s use of license plate readers, which will alert the police on anyone entering Aspen who has committed a crime.
“I have concerns over people’s Fourth Amendment rights,” Hauenstein said.
In addition to the operational request, the Aspen Police Department sought $43,000 for communications center operations. This expenditure will provide additional equipment, including the license plate reader system.
The department outlined plans to upgrade its communications systems and invest in modern technology that will enhance the department’s ability to respond to public safety concerns, including money for LADRIS, which is used in the case an evacuation plan is required due to wildfire.
Torre had concerns over speed control in town and brought up speed monitoring signs. Staff said that those will be addressed in November.
“We have people significantly exceeding the speed limit in town,” Torre said. “I have major concerns about safety with that.”
Additionally, the department highlighted the need for facility improvements, including updates to the police station, which will improve the department’s operational efficiency and safety.
The Housing Department’s request was one of the most substantial, totaling $24,183,550. This budget includes $20,000,000 earmarked for the Lumberyard Affordable Housing project, which is a major development initiative aimed at addressing Aspen’s ongoing workforce housing crisis.
The Burlingame apartment settlement of $1,070,949 was discussed, along with future renovations needed for the project. The project is currently over budget, and staff said construction costs are partly to blame.
Hauenstein asked if it would be possible to find a development partner for the project but wasn’t sure how much infrastructure work needed to be completed before that could happen.
Guth jumped in and confessed that city council appears to not be good at this.
“We have proven this over and over again that we are not good at this,” he said. “We are three times over our budget, and we cannot continue to keep making mistakes like this. We need to find someone who does this day in and day out, and does it well, to entrust them with this.”
Additionally, $354,770 was allocated for Aspen/Pitkin County Housing Authority. The department is focused on maintaining existing affordable housing stock and developing new units to support the local workforce, ensuring that employees can live in the community they serve.
The budget for the Streets Department is $2,601,090 in expenditures, with $1,525,930 designated for street management and $519,000 for fleet needs. The department noted that these funds will go toward street maintenance and snow removal, addressing the wear and tear caused by Aspen’s harsh winters and heavy tourist traffic.
Guth thanked the Streets Department for their efforts and acknowledged their good work.
Additional budget requests include $3,302,090 in expenses for the public golf course, which includes pro shop operations, maintenance, administration, and course operations.
