Agenda Date: 11/03/2026
Subject:
Title
Resolution 81-2026: Expressing support for and directing staff to take next steps regarding formation of a public authority to operate the city’s jointly owned wastewater treatment facility
Body
From: James L. Becklenberg, City Manager Prepared by: James L. Becklenberg, City Manager Reid Betzing, City Attorney Pieter Van Ry, South Platte Renew Director Presentations: Pieter Van Ry, South Platte Renew Director
PURPOSE:
Based on information presented at the August 11, 2026, study session, does the City Council support taking the next steps to form an authority to operate the City’s jointly owned wastewater facility?
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
In 2021, the City of Littleton contracted FCS Group to conduct an analysis of potential models of transitioning Littleton’s ownership interest of SPR to reduce financial obligations as well as business and regulatory risk. FCS Group presented their analysis and ranking of the identified options to City of Littleton and City of Englewood Councils on March 8, 2022, and November 14, 2022, respectively.
Both cities directed SPR to continue the governance analysis. In January 2024, SPR contracted the engineering firm Hazen to conduct the second phase of the governance analysis, in conjunction with the legal firm Cockrel Ela Glesne Greher & Ruhland, P.C. (CEGR Law) to perform a legal analysis. The results of this work were presented to both City Councils in August 2026 and identified the formation of an Authority as a viable alternative governance model to the current structure. The analysis explored the organizational and financial impacts of creating an Authority and provided a framework for establishing an Authority should the cities choose to move forward.
Study Sessions with both cities were held in August 2026 to discuss the findings of the SPR governance analysis, as well as a Joint Council Study Session in August 2026. At the A...
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