DOCA and Division of Theatres and Arenas to Merge?

The City of Denver yesterday made an official proposal to City Council’s Business, Workforce & Sustainability Committee for a merger between the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA) and the City’s Division of Theatres and Arenas.  DOCA Director, Jan Brennan, and Theatres and Arenas Director, Kent Rice, made a presentation on the rationale for the merger and requested the necessary budget rescission and re-appropriation ordinance to combine the budgets of the respective offices.

A new agency formed by combining DOCA and Theatres and Arenas would offer the following benefits:

·        City General Fund savings of $1.2 million per year

·        Furthering of several core City goals – Customer Service, Better Place to Live, Live Within Our Means

·        Synergy amid distinct DOCA and Theatres and Arenas competencies

·        Improved service and effectiveness

The anticipated timeline of the necessary budget rescission and re-appropriation ordinance subsequent to today’s meeting is as follows:

• Tuesday, March 22, 9:30 AM – Ordinance before Mayor/Council  
• Monday, March 28, 5:30 PM – First Reading, City Council
• Monday, April 4, 5:30 PM – Second Reading, City Council

• Friday, April 8 – Ordinance Published

Assuming final approval of the merger by City Council on April 8, it is estimated the integration would be complete within a two- to three-month period, including operations and communications functions.