Further council discussion on a property tax increase
Two or three projects? July 1st
It’s getting closer to the end of the process regarding a November ballot question, but we’re not there yet. What will we see? It began with three potential projects: a remodel and expansion of the Bob Burger Recreation Center, an expansion and remodel of the Service Center, and a new Civic Center.
PROPERTY OR SALES TAX?
The question of whether it should be a property or sales tax increase was narrowed down by council to a 20-year bond financed with a property tax increase.
WHICH PROJECTS?
Even during their June 24th workshop, the council could not come to a consensus on which projects to bring to the voters in November. Full consensus wasn’t reached on whether there should be one or two questions on the ballot, but the majority supported one question. Mayor Mangat was not in attendance, so Mayor Pro-Tem Wong ran the workshop.
At their next meeting on July 1st, the council will receive another presentation regarding which projects they should ask the voters to fund. At that time, they will vote to move forward on two or three projects.
WHEN IS THE FINAL DECISION?
The last step to place this on the ballot will be on August 19th, when the council will vote on a resolution calling the election and referring the question to the voters.
This is also the year residents will be running for four seats on the city council. A reminder, Mayor Pro-Tem Wong is term-limited and cannot run again. Councilor Samson is not running for another term. Councilors Gallegos and Tapia Vega can run again if they so wish.
WHERE DO THE COUNCILORS STAND?
What I heard at the June workshop
Councilor Fridland
He asked if there could be flexibility built in to pay off the debt sooner, if possible. He mentioned paying off the service center quickly due to the lower cost. He said he originally supported all three but now he’s asking if they could do something more limited. He said he supports the service center and the BBRC, but not the full rec center expansion.
He knows that would be kicking the can down the road on the civic center. He thinks that’s what’s been done for a long time, and he doesn’t love that. He said at some point, another council is going to have to do that, he mentioned economic uncertainty and the chance to come back later with the civic center project.
He said he was trying to be prudent for the voters, that this wasn’t the right time to be asking for all the projects. That it would show they were trying to be reasonable with the ask, and hoped that would resonate with people right now.
Councilor Barnes
He agreed with Councilor Fridland, and said that was the wisest move, and he supported one question with two projects, the BBRC and the service center. He thinks their responsibility right now is to leave the civic center for a future question. He also supports having repayment flexibility.
Councilor Samson
She referenced information from the survey company Magellan Strategies, which city staff shared with the council. Magellan said Longmont put separate questions on the ballot for similar projects, and while they polled with over 60% support, that flipped when the vote occurred. ( The Longmont Leader tells us the no votes were 66%, 68% and 70%) Based on that, she said she did not support two separate questions; she said either one question with all three projects or one question with two projects.
Councilor Tapia Vega
He said he supported one question with two or three projects, but he sees the benefit of doing all three. He said he would hate for the city hall to be in the position where the rec center and service center are right now, and this is a chance to be proactive.
Councilor Gallegos
She said she agrees with Councilor Tapia Vega that they should be proactive because she doesn’t want to see a future council in the position of a ballot question about the city hall having to pass before something bigger happens to the building. She said we are continuing to grow, that’s obvious, and she sees the need for the civic center to accommodate growth and supports the three projects. But after reading through the survey comments, she saw the most opposition to the civic center. She wants two questions, one for the BBRC and the service center, and one for the civic center to give the voters that choice.
Mayor Pro-Tem Wong
He said he agrees that building in flexibility is important. He agreed with Councilor Tapia Vega, that they need all three projects going forward. He said they could sell the current city hall to offset costs. He said he was open to one or two questions but he did not want to kick the can down the road to a future council. He mentioned the city already has a piece of land for the civic center.
THE PROPERTY TAX INCREASE FOR EACH PACKAGE
There is a reduction of $10 to $15 a year per household over the previous numbers due to new tax estimates.
From the council packet for the July 1 meeting:
THE REPAYMENT COSTS WITH PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST
ALL THREE PROJECTS:
$74 million, repayment: $120 million
TWO PROJECTS, BBRC AND SERVICE CENTER:
$40 million: repayment $70 million
HOW TO PROVIDE INPUT TO THE COUNCIL ON THIS TOPIC
If you would like to share your opinion with the council, here are some options:
OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE COUNCIL MEETING
Attend the meeting in person. City Hall Council Chambers, 1290 S. Public Road.
The meeting begins at 5:30 on July 1st. You can speak during public input at the beginning of the meeting.
Submit written comments for public input to City Council. If your written comments are received by 1 pm on the day of the meeting they will be added to the meeting packet for that night. Written comments submitted for public input will not be read aloud during the meeting.
Participate by telephone. Call 1-877-853-5247 (toll-free). Once connected, you will be asked for the meeting number. The meeting number is 869 1163 2580. Press # after entering the number. To request to speak, press *9 during public input to raise your hand. When it is your turn, your microphone will be unmuted.
To request interpreter services, please submit a request at least two (2) days prior to the meeting.
Send them a message, individually or as a group, that will not be part of the public record of the meeting.
Call them Note: Councilor Tapia Vega does not have a phone number listed.
Want to offer more support? Awesome!
I just really worry about seniors on a fixed income who are already scraping to hang on to their homes in the face of rising property taxes along side the increasing costs of everything else too. It’s really hard on them, and they are mostly long time city residents who would have a tragically difficult time if they finally reached the point where they get taxed out and have to leave, giving up not just the home they planned to spend their lives in, but friends, family, community. It’s just one more blow to their efforts to hang on. I’m not in favor of a property tax increase unless they offset it somehow for long time senior homeowners, maybe by increasing the Homestead Exemption or something similar.
Karen, excellent summary of the City Council Workshop! It's a very difficult decision to make for any resident as you can see from stanik22 misunderstanding of the Service Center project. It's just as difficult for the Council who I believe are all acting in good faith. Let's see where the chips fall. This is really a high stakes poker game with a 20 or 22 year payout. I'll be long gone before its paid off, just saying :)