Aurora City Council Meeting - October 12, 2026

The Aurora City Council met on October 12, 2026, to discuss and act on several items including homeless services funding, a transition to self-funded health insurance for city employees, proposed water rate and fee increases for 2027, Fourth of July display options, council rules amendments, and zoning changes for industrial districts to promote water conservation.

Consent Calendar

• Items 2A through 2K were approved collectively. This included a presentation on the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for homeless services, detailing funding allocations for emergency solutions grants, rental assistance, marijuana grant funds, and public safety assistance programs.

Discussion Items

• Homeless Services Funding (NOFO): Stephanie Kuiper, Manager of Homelessness, presented the NOFO results. Four funding categories: Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), Home Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (Home TIBRA), marijuana tax funds, and public safety assistance. Review panels recommended funding for Advanced Pathways ($142,490.40) and Aurora Housing Authority ($77,182.36) for ESG; Aurora Housing Authority ($200,000) for Home TIBRA; partial funding for Family Tree ($351,381), Aurora Housing Authority, and Three Birds Alliance from marijuana funds; and full funding for Jesus on Colfax ($144,647) for public safety assistance. Councilmember Andrews asked about funding gaps for Advanced Pathways; staff noted the organization has other funding sources.
• Self-Funded Health Insurance (Item 3A): Tyra Litzu, City Controller, presented a proposal to transition the United Healthcare medical plan from fully insured to self-funded effective January 1, 2027. The new self-insurance fund will be an internal service fund. Ryan Lance, HR Director, stated the move allows cost savings and a 5% rate increase compared to the 11.7% increase under the fully insured model. Councilmember Hancock asked about management and savings. The ordinance to create the fund was approved without objection.
• 2027 Water Rates and Fees (Item 3B): Catherine Wilkatoon, Deputy Director of Financial Administration for Aurora Water, presented proposed increases. Water rates will increase by small incremental amounts across tiers; irrigation accounts see a larger increase. Connection fees for water increase 5% (higher increases expected after 2027). No increase for sewer connection fees; stormwater connection fees increase 5%. Discussion included the Wild Horse Reservoir project, bond issuance plans for 2027-2028, and potential WIFIA federal loan application. The proposal was moved forward without objection.
• Fourth of July Display Options (Item 4C): Brian Green presented options: traditional fireworks ($65,000, 20-22 minutes) vs. a drone show ($90,000, 16 minutes with 500 drones). Councilmembers expressed support for drones citing wildfire risk, noise, and neighborhood congestion. Mayor noted consistency with fire bans. Consensus was to proceed with the drone show; staff directed to finalize contract and conduct public messaging.
• Council Rules Amendment (Item 5A): Councilmembers Hancock and Andrews sponsored amendments to define a public health emergency and require most legislative items to go through policy committee and study session unless meeting specific exceptions (public safety/health emergency, negative fiscal impact, or legal deadline). Councilmember Coombs added a definition for public health emergency. Councilmember Jackson questioned uniform application. A vote was taken; the majority supported moving the amendment forward.
• UDO Amendment for Industrial Zones (Item 5B): Kelly Bish, Senior Planner/Landscape Architect, presented amendments to reduce landscaping requirements in industrial districts to save water. Changes include optional curbside shrubs/grasses, elimination of street frontage buffers, elimination of non-street buffers between like uses, reduced detention pond landscaping, and increased low-water-use tree requirements. Marshall Brown from Aurora Water supported the changes. Councilmember Hancock asked about residential curbside areas; staff clarified the changes apply to industrial zones only. The amendment was moved forward without objection.

Key Outcomes

• Consent calendar (items 2A-2K) approved.
• Ordinance creating a self-insurance fund for United Healthcare approved (3A).
• 2027 water rates and fees approved (3B).
• Council directed staff to proceed with a drone show for the Fourth of July spectacular (4C).
• Council rules amendment regarding emergency items and committee process moved forward (5A).
• Unified Development Ordinance amendments for industrial landscaping moved forward (5B).