SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement with Weld County for Home Water Audit Services
Body
DEPARTMENT: Environmental Services
PRESENTER(S): Dylan King, Sustainability and Water Conservation Specialist
Eryka Thorley, Sustainability Manager
First Name Last Name, Title
FISCAL SUMMARY:
Cost as Recommended: $25,000
Balance Available: $150,000
Budget Line Item Number: 500-25-780-570280
New Appropriation Required: No
POLICY ISSUES:
This IGA directly supports the Town’s water conservation goals, supporting eligible residents with opportunities to replace aging and high water using equipment in their home.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the IGA with Weld County to provide home water audit and plumbing fixture replacement services to eligible Town residents, as determined by the Town.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
The Town began discussing a direct install program with Weld County Conservation Corps and partnering communities in 2023. Based on these discussions, the team drafted the attached IGA contract. This direct installation program is currently in use and supported by neighboring municipalities and water providers, most notably Greely, Evans, and Northern Water. A similar program run by the Larimer County Conservation Corps has assisted neighboring communities to reduce water usage in those areas as well.
The attached IGA outlines a partnership with the Weld County Youth Conservation Corps (WCYCC), a local workforce development program that equips youth with job skills through hands-on projects and experiences. This initiative will bring WCYCC’s water fixture replacement program to Erie, providing and installing high-efficiency fixtures (e.g., showerheads, faucet aerators, and toilets) at no cost to qualifying households. In this case, “qualifying households” will mean any household located in Erie. However, outreach will target income qualified communities as explained. All Erie residents (Weld and Boulder County) are eligible to participate.
The program will begin with a targeted focus on mobile home parks and other disproportionately impacted communities in Erie. These neighborhoods often face barriers to accessing conservation programs and stand to benefit most from reduced utility costs and updated fixtures. Town staff are collaborating with the Affordable Housing Team’s block grant program to coordinated and maximize the impact of both programs.
The WCYCC program supports Erie’s sustainability and water conservation goals, while advancing equity through prioritizing underserved area participation. It also strengthens youth development by providing WCYCC participants with meaningful work and civic engagement opportunities.
The overall budget for this program is not to exceed $25,000 and the Town will pay the WCYCC $500 for each individual home water audit and fixture replacement service. This budget will allow for this program to potentially reach 50 homes. The program will be invoiced monthly so the Town can track how many homes are served. Water and monetary savings for the homeowners will vary depending on the existing fixtures in the home. The current contract will expire in June 2026.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Attractive Community Amenities
ü Engaged and Diverse Community
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Small Town Feel
ü Safe and Healthy Community
ü Effective Governance
ü Environmentally Sustainable
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution 25-090
2. Weld County Water Assess IGA