1. Copyright, 1996 © Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc. Larimer County Public Improvement Districts PID Larimer County Engineering Department Fort Collins, Colorado (970) 498-5722 Cedar Park & Cedar Springs Estates

2. Vehicles per Day n The need for improving and maintaining mountain roads greatly depends on the amount of traffic. n Traffic generates dust and displaces road surfacing material. n Greater traffic volumes increase the need for re-surfacing.

3. How do we construct a mountain road so that we can maintain it? n Separate the drainage water from the cars. n Shape the road so it will continue to drain. n Stabilize the surface so it will retain its shape and control dust.

4. Construct ditch on “Cut Side” May need to import Road Base Material No need for ditch on “Fill Side”

5. Shape the Road Surface to Establish Crown for Drainage Shaping is usually achieved with imported road base material

6. Stabilize the Shaped Road Surface stabilization may be achieved by applying an additive to the road surface. Stabilization achieves 3 purposes: Retains a smooth surface Prevents displacement/erosion of road base from tire action Prevents dust.

7. Surfacing Alternatives – Gravel road base surfacing –Repeated applications required –Repeated bladings are necessary –Dust can be a problem – Stabilizing agent for surfacing –Annual applications are usually necessary –Effective for dust control –May be problems before next application

9. Sounds Expensive! n Yes, but once the drainage is established and road base is in place, maintaining the surface is easy, although the stabilization treatment will need to be reapplied from time to time. n Money that might otherwise be spent on repeated bladings or application of road base is saved if the surface is stabilized.

10. Well, OK…. We understand Why. Now tell us How.

11. Public Improvement Districts n Larimer County has a self directed program where property owners can work together to raise funds for public purposes. n Street improvements and drainage improvements are valid public purposes. n The program involves formation of public improvement districts, or PIDs.

12. What is a PID? A PID is a taxing district which may be formed over any described area to construct or maintain public improvements. It raises funds by assessing a mill levy against the value of all property in the district. Taxes paid are then used to construct or maintain public improvements. The money is a property tax.

13. How Does it Work? n Each PID has an Advisory Board appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. n District money can only be used as directed by the Advisory Board.

14. How Can PIDs Help? n Money raised by a PID is placed in a separate interest bearing account. n Money paid to a PID for maintenance is a property tax and can be deducted from Federal income tax for those who itemize their deductions. n Fees charged by the County are offset by credits to the district from motor vehicle licensing receipts.

15. How is a PID Formed? n First, an application is submitted to the Larimer County Engineering Department. Application Fee = $100. n Engineers from the County then prepare a plan for the proposed district. The plan is for a regular program of preventive maintenance of the street and drainage system, how much it will cost and how much properties will have to pay. n The Engineering Department then prepares a petition based on the plan.

16. The Petition n Anyone who or who’s spouse owns real property in the district is eligible to sign the petition, provided s(he) is: n a.eighteen years of age or older n b.a citizen of the United States n c.registered to vote in general elections in the State of Colorado n d.S(he) has been a resident in the area to be included in the District for thirty days immediately prior to the signing of the petition.

17. Then What? n If the petition is signed by more than 30 percent of the eligible electors, the County then is obligated to hold a public hearing. n At the public hearing, the Commissioners may order an election if they feel that a majority of the owners support the district. n If an election is ordered, it must be held in November of any given year, under the formal election laws of Colorado. n The election is decided based on a majority of those who vote.

18. Who May Vote? n Anyone who or who’s spouse owns property and is an elector in the State of Colorado may vote n Anyone who legally resides within the district may also vote

19. Additional PID Information n 100% Participation from Included Properties n County Engineering Staff Administers Contracts, Provides Recommendations; Assists PID Board n Work is done by Private Contractors not County Crews n PID must follow County Purchasing Rules n PID must have enough “Cash in Hand” for each project n PID money can only be used by the PID itself