Firestone Awarded $1 Million Grant

The Town of Firestone has secured a $1 million grant from the State of Colorado for construction of a new Town Hall.  Mayor Sindelar was informed by the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Executive Director Rick Garcia that the Town’s grant application was awarded and will be available when construction begins later this summer. 

In May of this year, the Board of Trustees approved a $1 million grant application to the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF). 

“There’s no question that our application was enhanced because Firestone residents approved ballot question 2A”, said Mayor Sindelar.  “It’s important to the State that we demonstrate community support and a local match.  2A helped us do that.  It’s great to see these dollars coming back to Firestone.”

Ballot question 2A asked residents for the ability to use existing and surplus revenues from the previously approved 0.6% sales tax being used to pay for the Firestone Police and Municipal Court Building.  2A won with broad support and is already helping fund long-needed facility improvements.

“We told residents that we would work to put together the most efficient and taxpayer-friendly financing plan for both Town Hall and the Public Works facility.  The Board of Trustees has pushed Town staff to meet those objectives, and this $1 million grant is a big part of the plan,” said Town Manager A.J. Krieger.  “I am confident that the support from voters on 2A helped our application.  We told residents we would work to leverage every local dollar and it’s nice to be able to follow through.”

Town staff is preparing final options to finance the construction of both Town Hall and the Public Works facility and anticipates Board action later this summer. 

Background

With the community’s support of ballot question 2A, the Town of Firestone identified a clear funding source for maintenance of the new Firestone Police Department & Municipal Court Building, while also the ability to address facility needs for Town Hall and Public Works.  Both facilities have been outgrown and are in desperate need to improve operational efficiencies and address building code compliance issues.

With the passing of ballot question 2A, the $1 million EIAF grant, and fiscally responsible practices, the Town can quickly address facility needs for Town Hall and Public Works, as well as continue to plan, construct and maintain other facilities and amenities that will serve the community for a long time; including a plan for Central Park.

EIAF Grant Program Background

The purpose of the EIAF Program is to assist political subdivisions that are socially and/or economically impacted by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels. Funds come from the state severance tax on energy and mineral production and a portion of the state’s share of royalties paid to the federal government for mining and drilling of minerals and mineral fuels on federally-owned land.

DOLA reviewed the Town Hall project and based on a variety of factors such as its connection to energy impact, degree of need, measurable outcomes, amount of request, relationship to community goals, level of local match and community support, management capacity, and readiness to go. According to DOLA, competition for these limited funds was intense and funding decisions were considered carefully.