Agenda Memo

City of Boulder City Council Agenda Item Meeting Date: September 17, 2026 Agenda Title Consideration of a motion to adopt Resolution 1391 in support of Boulder County’s citizens’ initiative increasing the County Commissioner seats from three to five; and setting forth related details

Staff Contact • •

Nuria Rivera-Vandermyde, City Manager Heather Stauffer, Intergovernmental Affairs Officer, City Manager's Office

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Consideration of a motion to adopt Resolution 1391 in support of Boulder County’s citizens' initiative increasing the County Commissioner seats from three to five; and setting forth related details.

Executive Summary Based on previous direction from council, the purpose of this item is to provide council with the opportunity to take an official position through Resolution 1391 on Boulder County’s citizens’ initiative to increase the County Commissioner seats from three to five.

Council Action Options Option

Outcome

Approve motion language as drafted

If the motion is approved, the resolution will be adopted

Define and adopt a modified motion

Council would need to clarify what modifications or amendments to the proposed motion language they were seeking. This would delay adoption of this resolution

Deny the motion or take no action

If this motion is denied, the resolution will not be adopted

Refer back to staff

If council refers this item back to staff, we would need to clarify what council is requesting to modify and would make updates accordingly before bringing the item back

Alignment with City Plans and City Council History Sustainability, Equity and Resilience (SER) Framework and Citywide Strategic Plan Alignment SER Framework Goal Area City of Boulder’s advocacy work is guided by the city’s annual Policy Statement, which is meant to further and align with each of the SER Framework Goal Areas. Citywide Strategic Plan As with the SER Framework, the city’s advocacy efforts are guided by the annual Policy Statement, which aligns with and furthers many key priorities within the Citywide Strategic Plan.

Alignment with Additional City Plans City advocacy efforts are guided by the annual Policy Statement on Regional, State, and Federal issues. The purpose of the policy statement is to inform city advocacy on policy decisions that, while made outside the city’s jurisdictional authority, have potential to significantly impact the city. This includes legislative decisions by the Colorado General Assembly or the U.S. Congress.

City Council History The measure was discussed by council at their September 2nd regular meeting. Council then directed staff to draft a resolution in support of the ballot measure.

Analysis Resolution 1391 (Attachment A) in support of Boulder County’s citizens' initiative, which, if passed, would expand the number of Boulder County Commissioners from three to five. Summary: A citizen-initiated measure will appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot asking Boulder County voters whether or not to expand the Board of County Commissioners from three members to five. The measure presents voters with two questions. The first asks whether the board should be increased from three members to five. The second, which takes effect only if the first passes, asks voters to select the method of election: either five commissioners residing in districts and elected only by the voters of their district, or three commissioners residing in districts and elected only by district voters plus two commissioners residing anywhere in the county and elected countywide at-large. If the measure passes, Boulder County would move to a five-member board. New district boundaries would be drawn by the sitting commissioners, who would be required to complete redistricting by July 1, 2027, following at least one public hearing. Proponents: Big Tent Boulder County brought the measure forward and is supporting it. Opponents: No official opposition, but Commissioners Levy and Loachamin have indicated they are not in support of the measure due to the anticipated increase in costs to the county. City of Boulder Policy Statement: None. Potential Impacts to City Programs/ Operations: None.

Equity Analysis The first policy principle listed in the city’s Policy Statement on Regional, State and Federal issues is Equity, Racial Justice and Social Resilience. When using the policy statement as a guide for intergovernmental affairs efforts, city staff consider equity implications as described in the Policy Statement.

Fiscal Note Estimated Fiscal Impact Narrative: No fiscal impact is anticipated.

Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability Considerations

Climate, resilience, and sustainability are woven throughout the Policy Statement and comprise 13 distinct policy positions under “Climate Change and Community Resilience.” As staff use the Policy Statement throughout the year, climate and sustainability considerations are a key factor in policy analysis and recommendations.

Community Engagement In alignment with past practice, staff does not conduct community engagement when researching ballot measures or drafting resolutions.

Workplan Considerations Not anticipated impact to the workplan.

Next Steps for City Council None.

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Attachment A - Proposed Resolution 1391