Timnath Town Council Meeting 8/26/25

This meeting is available on the Town's YouTube channel:

Key Points

• Pulse Broadband has not yet been adopted to its break-even point of 32%. The aim is 40%.
• The season for enjoying Timnath Reservoir is meeting its demise because of blue green algae.
• New Chief of Police Laurie Scott requests to add the position of Captain to the Timnath Police Department.
• A public meeting was set for Sept. 9 to consider annexation of Timnath Shores.
• The town board is shaping a ballot issue for a 1.25% sales tax increase to fund a new community center.

Public Comment

Life-long resident Carl Elliot spoke on the dramatically reduced water levels in his and his neighbors' adjudicated wells because of disruption from construction of Timnath Lakes Subdivision. Mr. Elliot explained that the developer has offered to reimburse landowners for needed irrigation water and to drill new wells. However, according to the developer, they are only able to drill down to bedrock and there is no water above that line at this point. Mr. Elliott further conveyed that this has been going on for 2 years and he now has over 55 endangered trees. He further explained that adjudicated wells – his well was registered with the State in the 1920s, have top legal priority over all other users.

Consent Agenda

Council unanimously approved the following:

1. August 12, 2020 Town Council Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved.
2. Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Larimer County and the Town of Timnath on Managing Urban Development (Resolution 55, Series 2025). This is an update to the original IGA adopted September 29, 2020. The purpose of the IGA is to provide greater efficiency in the delivery of such services as water, storm water, sanitary sewage disposal systems, transportation, fire and police protection and other services in areas designated for urban development. The Larimer County Commissioners adopted the IGA at their August 12, 2025 meeting and the amended IGA reflects the adoption of Timnath’s Growth Management Area (GMA) as an overlay zoning district within the county.

Departmental Reports

1. Finance: Lisa Gagliardi reports that though June sales tax revenues were less than expected (3% down), YTD sales tax revenue is up 7% from last year at this time.
2. Public Works: Justin Stone reported on feedback and “take-rate” of Pulse Broadband, recently installed and offered for service town-wide. The current take-rate (those who choose Pulse BB over other competitors) is at 22%. The break-even rate is 32% and the Town is hoping to reach 40% usage. Feedback on social media and elsewhere seems to be very positive. Comment: Council-member Bill Jenkins asked P.W. Department to follow up on work done by Colorado Boring. The holes required for laying cable sit right next to neighborhood sidewalks and some haven’t been filled in, causing a potential tripping hazard. The councilmember said his dog fell into one roughly 6" wide and 1 foot deep.
3. Parks: Tom Casal reported that Timnath Reservoir water levels are too low for motorized boating and Blue-green algae has been confirmed, making this season pretty much a wrap.
4. Police: no report was given other than councilmember Jeramie Holt’s comment that the obvious police presence is “discouraging” speeding in the neighborhoods. He also commented on the pride taken in this police force and their friendliness in dealing with the public.

Regular Business

Resolution approving a Right-of-Way Easement Agreement with Poudre Valley Rural Electric Assoc., Inc. (PVREA) on Town-owned property known as KM South. (Resolution 56, Series 2025). The Resolution was unanimously approved.

Discussion: The easement is approximately 25’ wide and overlaps an existing power line easement. PVREA made the offer of $15,281.30 for the easement. The price was similar to an agreement between PVREA and Northwest Weld County Water District, which was based on appraisal.

Councilmember Luke Wagner questioned why the easement included cable and broadband, rather than just electric? Could a conflict between PVREA and Timnath’s PULSE broadband occur? Earl Smith, Timnath’s Senior Civil engineer, replied he thought the cable and broadband capabilities would be limited to PVREA’s monitoring of their own equipment (power lines).

Resolution to Approve the Addition of a Captain’s position to the Town of Timnath Police Department (Resolution 57, Series 2025). The Resolution was unanimously approved.

Presentation: Chief of Police, Laurie Scott, presented to the Council the history and basis for the request: There is currently no position within the Department for Captain, as there is in other local police departments with a similar size and/or number of call outs (Estes Park and Johnstown used as comparisons). Chief Scott explained that the position of Captain would better serve the chain of command, enhance supervision, provide a professional #2 position to the Chief, and provide additional mentorship and leadership for the Department while enhancing promotion opportunities.

A Lieutenant position has been vacant for the past 8 months while the Town was conducting the search for Chief. Chief Scott requested that the Lieutenant position remain on the books for a later time and that the Council approve a new position of Captain rather than changing the current position of Lieutenant to Captain.

First Reading and Setting a Public Hearing on Sept. 9, 2025 at 6 p.m. for an Ordinance Approving the Annexation of the property known as Timnath Shores (Ordinance No. 14, Series 2025). Motion was unanimously passed.

Cottonwood Properties, owner of the property known as Timnath Shores requested annexation.

A presentation made it clear that another ordinance, No. 15, is required to amend the map of Timnath Shores to meet Larimer County Code. That ordinance will also be addressed at the public hearing on Sept. 9.

Public Hearings

Ordinance Approving submission of Ballot Issue to the Voters of the Town on November 4, 2025. (Ordinance No. 12, Series 2025). Motion was passed unanimously.

This is the second reading of the ordinance to refer a ballot issue on a sales tax increase of 1.25% for the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of the Timnath Recreation Center. The tax would be effective until the year 2056, or reduced earlier if borrowed funds are paid off. At that time the sales tax would be reduced to .25% for continued operation and maintenance of the Recreation Center.

The schedule for future actions include:

9/5/25 Ballot language complete*
9/19/25 Deadline for public submission of pro/con statements
10/3/25 Bluebook mailed out
10/10/25 Ballots go out
11/4 Election

*Ballot language and election process to be completed by Larimer County.

Public Comments

One Timnath resident spoke against the hidden cost associated with building the Recreation Center, citing a $98-million loan plus the day use charges that residents will have to pay. He suggested that by presenting the information in percentages (of tax) rather than dollars the Council was hiding the true cost and trying to “go around” TABOR, even using taxpayer’s dollars to pay for “Vote Yes” yard signs.

*Once REGULAR BUSINESS was complete, the council responded:

Councilmember Bill Jenkins explained that the Recreation Center tax will pass only with a greater than 50% vote and that any revenue generated cannot be used for anything but the Recreation Center. He also assured the group that the Town would not be purchasing yard signs or taking any further actions once the ballot is set.

Councilmember Lisa Laake assured residents that the goal of the Council is to put the question to the voters. She said previous community surveys have shown strong interest in a Town Recreation Center.

Councilmember Jeramie Holt agreed with previous comments and added how much the Council appreciates the hard work Tom Casal (Parks and Recreation Director) and staff have put into this issue and the efforts toward getting it right.

Mayor Robert Axmacher discussed the financial aspects. He said data shows that 86% of sales tax revenues in Timnath come from people not in Timnath’s zipcode. The Council has been very conservative at every stage so that the numbers that remain are actually a “worst case scenario.” He stated that our sales tax is lower than surrounding areas, even with this increase included.

Two Timnath residents then spoke in support of the Recreation Center, citing that residents have asked for this and that it would revitalize Old Town and enhance and promote the feeling of community among residents.

Ordinance for the Vacation of a Portion of County Road 3F Right-of-Way (Ordinance No. 13, Series 2025). Motion was passed unanimously.

The portion of C.R. 3F that once connected the NW portion of Timnath Ranch to Harmony Road is no longer accessible to driving except for emergency vehicles. The Poudre River Trail (PRT) also crosses this portion of the Road, which the Town will continue to maintain. A Planning Commission hearing was held on August 5 when it was unanimously decided to vacate the town’s responsibility for the road as it was, reserving an easement for utilities, the PRT access, and emergency access.

Next Meeting

The next Town Council Meeting is scheduled for September 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.

Documentation

All supporting documentation, reports, maps and agreements can be found here.

Members Present

All members were present: Robert Axmacher, Mayor; Luke Wagner, Pro-Tem; Councilmember Bill Jenkins, Councilmember Jeramie Holt; Councilmember Lisa Laake

Questions to Consider

1. Will the town address the water quality of Timnath Reservoir?
2. How will neighbors be made whole for the alleged disruption of their wells and water rights by a developer?
3. Are residents adopting Pulse Broadband as quickly as was predicted? If not, why?

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From the website: Timnath is a home-rule municipality and a Council/Town Manager form of government. The Town Council sets the policy and the Town Manager directs the daily operations of the Town. Timnath’s Town Council consists of five members – four Council members that are all at-large, that is they are not elected based on council districts. In addition, the Mayor is also elected at-large. Council terms are four years and staggered.

*Citizen Observers further the commitment of the League of Women Voters to its principle of Citizens Right to Know, however, we are not acting as journalists. Omissions and errors are possible. It is assumed that users of this information are responsible for their own fact-checking. This could include contacting a government clerk, conversing with an elected official or staff, and/or asking us to speak to the Observer who attended.