To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners’ Office
Prepared By:
prepared
Daniela Villarreal, Management Analyst I, Commissioners’ Office
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presenter
Presenter: Daniela Villarreal, Management Analyst I, Commissioners’ Office
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Subject:
title
Resolution to Approve Arapahoe County Cultural Council Recommendations for 2024/2025 Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Tier III
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
The Arapahoe County Cultural Council requests formal adoption of their funding recommendations for Tier III local arts, culture and science organizations.
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Background and Discussion:
The Scientific Cultural and Facilities District (SCFD)is a seven-county tax district created within Colorado law, approved by Colorado’s General Assembly and renewed by voters multiple times over more than 30 years. SCFD distributes funds from a 1/10 of 1% sales and use tax to qualified cultural organizations throughout the Denver metro area in three ways: First, the largest cultural organizations receive specific amounts determined by a funding formula set out in state statute. Regional organizations like the City of Aurora Cultural Services Division and Wings Over the Rockies, qualify for a second formula of funding by reaching certain budget and attendance thresholds. Finally, counties that participate in the SCFD each receive a share of the tax collected and make decisions about how the tax is spent through County Cultural Councils.
The Arapahoe County Cultural Council is appointed by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to solicit and screen applications from eligible non-profit and/or governmental entities for Arapahoe County's portion of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District sales tax, consistent with SCFD’s established grant process and timeline, ultimately making recommendations to the BOCC for approval and ratification by the SCFD Board of Directors. Over the last five years, more than $10 million of Tier III funding has supported over 500 local art, cultural, scientific, and historical organizations that benefit Arapahoe County’s citizens. For 2024/2025, Arapahoe County’s share of the SCFD tax revenue is $2,678,644.40, a 7% decrease from last year. The decreased amount is due to a reduced rollover amount from previous years and a decrease in returned funds.
The SCFD issued the Tier III competitive grant call for applications earlier this year. Multi-county grant deadline was March 6 and the single-county deadline was March 13. Tier III funding can be used to support general operating costs as well as specific projects. The Arapahoe County Cultural Council met on a weekly basis from March 7 through May 16 to review and evaluate 95 qualified grant submittals, using established criteria from the County Cultural Council. That’s a 10% increase in applicants reviewed from last year.
This year, the Cultural Council is recommending allocating funding to 33 general operating support (GOS) requests and 61 project requests.
The Board of County Commissioners reviewed the Cultural Council’s recommendations during a June 18, 2024, study session, which is attached for reference. The BOCC approved advancing this item for formal approval at the July 23, 2024, business meeting.
Fiscal Impact: There is no fiscal impact to Arapahoe County Government’s budget as these are funds received through SCFD.
Alternatives: The Board could choose not to approve the funding recommendations.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☒Be fiscally sustainable
☐Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: To approve the Arapahoe County Cultural Council Recommendations for 2024/2025 Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Tier III.
Concurrence: N/A
Suggestion Motion: I move to approve the annual funding recommendations of the Arapahoe County Cultural Council as presented.
Resolution: Attached is a copy of the recommended draft resolution.