The Eagle Town Council approved a major development permit for Mountain Tots Preschool’s 7,050-square-foot facility on Haymeadow Drive at their February 24 meeting, addressing critical childcare needs in the valley. The council also voted 4-2 to support federal legislation blocking year-round road construction through White River National Forest for a proposed luxury development. The council decided to post the town manager position internally only with a March 13 application deadline, citing confidence in qualified internal candidates and concerns about external recruitment challenges in mountain communities. Finance Director Rachel Tand reported 2025 sales tax collections totaled $9,919,053, up 5% year-over-year, making Eagle the only Colorado jurisdiction reporting this level of increase. Holy Cross Energy CEO Brian Hannegan told the council current electrical infrastructure can handle anticipated growth through 2030, with a planned 50-megawatt expansion at the Wolcott substation by 2029. The council also debated wildland fire code implementation timelines and entered executive session to discuss downtown commercial property acquisition.
Childcare Facility Gets Unanimous Support
The council unanimously approved Mountain Tots Preschool’s expansion at 621 Haymeadow Drive, with 22 letters of public support and testimony emphasizing the community’s desperate need for infant and toddler care. Cassie Brooks, a Gypsum resident, told the council she delayed moving to Eagle County by a year due to lack of childcare and waited 9.5 months for spots for her daughters.
Council members called the approval “an easy layup for Eagle” that provides jobs and keeps families in town. The facility will expand capacity for toddlers and infants on the 1.5-acre parcel.
Planner Sydney Dynek noted the project required special fencing accommodations, with staff and Colorado Parks and Wildlife agreeing that human safety takes priority over wildlife-friendly fencing standards given the proximity to Haymeadow Drive and young children’s safety needs.
Berlaimont Estates Letter Sparks Debate
The council split 4-2 on supporting Senator Michael Bennet’s proposed legislation to prohibit federal funds for year-round road construction on the 680-acre Berlaimont Estates project north of Edwards. The proposed development of 19 luxury estates on White River National Forest land currently has seasonal, unpaved road access.
Kathy Chandler-Henry, a Wilderness Workshop board member, urged support for the letter during public comment, citing Forest Service budget constraints, wildlife impacts, wildfire concerns, and existing seasonal road access.
Four council members argued Eagle has legitimate interest in the matter, noting the development would increase traffic through Eagle, set precedent for similar requests on town in-holdings, and affect shared wildlife resources. Two council members questioned whether the matter fell within the town’s purview, calling it a county issue that won’t directly affect Eagle.
Internal Town Manager Search Approved
The council unanimously approved posting the town manager position internally only, citing confidence in qualified internal candidates and concerns about external recruitment challenges in mountain communities. External recruitment would cost $50,000-$60,000 for a six-month process.
Council members referenced housing costs that cause candidates to withdraw after researching the local market and adjustment difficulties that lead to six-month departures. The salary range was set at $176,010 minimum to $264,014 maximum, with a midpoint of $220,002.
Human Resources Manager Lynette Horan explained the range is market-competitive and recommended reassessing salary six months after selection based on performance and updated market data. The selection target is April 14.
Strong Sales Tax Performance Reported
Finance Director Rachel Tand reported 2025 sales tax collections totaled $9,919,053, up 5% year-over-year. Collections came in 1.6% above budget.
Eagle was the only Colorado jurisdiction reporting this level of increase compared to 1-2% growth elsewhere statewide. Downtown Eagle led growth at 15% year-over-year, while online sales rose 7.1% and motor vehicle sales tax jumped 45.1%.
Building permit revenue increased $776,000 or 153%, with 288 permits issued in 2025 versus 219 in 2024. The 2026 sales tax budget remains at $9.7 million.
Tand recommended mid-year reassessment if strong trends continue. Council members noted the potential impact of the town’s January smokeless tobacco ban on revenue, expected to show in March-April collections due to two-month reporting lag.
Holy Cross Energy Addresses Capacity Questions
Holy Cross Energy CEO Brian Hannegan told the council current electrical infrastructure can handle anticipated growth through 2030, with Eagle’s forecasted peak load of 30 megawatts well within system capacity. The utility serves 46,500 members across Eagle, Roaring Fork, and Colorado River valleys with 85% renewable energy.
A planned 50-megawatt expansion at the Wolcott substation by 2029 will provide substantial additional capacity. Current infrastructure includes four feeder circuits capable of 25-30 megawatts each, with the ability to reroute power across interconnected feeders.
The utility will implement a new $1 per kilowatt per month demand charge effective April 1, the first rate increase in nearly three years. Average residential bills will increase 3-5%.
Hannegan said the utility aims to hold future increases at or below inflation, with 50% of power costs locked in fixed-price contracts extending 10-20 years. Council members questioned return on investment for town-installed electric vehicle charging stations.
Hannegan called them infrastructure investments to attract EV drivers rather than profit centers, noting cost-sharing available through state and Holy Cross programs.
WUI Code Timeline Adjusted
Senior Planner Jessica Lake provided a timeline update for wildland-urban interface code adoption, with Planning and Zoning recommendation on landscaping standards scheduled for March 17 and final council decisions on both landscaping and building codes set for April 14.
Staff received two letters from local industry representatives highlighting cost concerns. Lake said staff plans one-on-one meetings with individual council members this week to identify questions and concerns before the decision.
Council members requested detailed financial analysis beyond construction costs, including 30-year risk assessments, insurance stability implications, and catastrophic loss considerations. Another council member noted future working groups should engage the building and development community at the onset rather than late in the process.
Mayor Bryan Woods urged residents to voice concerns immediately, calling the WUI code “an important issue that affects every single homeowner and every single resident in the town of Eagle.”
Other Business
The council approved an amended license agreement with Eagle County for 800 additional linear feet of water transmission main replacement in Brush Creek Open Space. The council continued miscellaneous land use code amendments to March 10 and continued the Red Mountain Ranch 66-unit housing development preliminary plan review to March 24.
Council members reported on various initiatives, including a business support questionnaire sent to Broadway businesses and Greater Eagle Fire Protection District discussions about potential collaboration with Gypsum’s fire district and county assistance with airport fire operations.
The council entered executive session to discuss downtown commercial property acquisition and legal questions regarding stream gauge installation in Brush Creek Valley Ranch Open Space.
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