Voters to choose financial patches
Colorado Springs voters will decide in the April 7 election on a range of measures designed to patch holes in the city government's fraying finances.
The City Council on Tuesday set four ballot measures, asking voters whether to shift policy on how the city spends tax money, extend an expiring property tax and let the government keep excess revenue that would otherwise have to be refunded.
"It's not our call," said Mayor Lionel Rivera, reminding the nine-member panel that only voters can make decisions about tax rates and some other spending decisions.
Council members and business leaders acknowledged that voters might be in no mood to let the city keep more of their money, given the still-unfolding economic crisis. Voters throughout El Paso County defeated a sales tax increase measure in November that would have given about $70 million to public safety agencies, including the city's police and fire departments. Observers said the flagging economy played a large role in the outcome.
But city officials said voters have a right to set new priorities for the city government to avert some cuts to public safety, parks and other services and to pursue programs aimed at boosting the economy. Here are brief looks at each ballot measure:
• Change the definition of a government "enterprise" in the City Charter so it's the same as the one in the Colorado Constitution. An enterprise is a city agency such as the airport that gets most of its income from fees charged to users. This would help the city, advocates say, because the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights in the charter includes federal grants in its limit of 25 percent of money that an enterprise can get from other parts of the government. The state's version of TABOR says an enterprise can get 10 percent from other parts of the government, and it excludes federal grants. The airport is especially affected because it gets big chunks of money from the federal government.
The council voted unanimously to put the measure on the ballot.
• Extend a property tax scheduled to expire this year until 2025 and use the estimated $3 million to help businesses and promote new jobs in Colorado Springs. The tax would cost about $10.60 per year for a house worth $200,000. Pikes Peak Community College President Tony Kinkel was part of a long line of business leaders who urged the council to ask voters for the tax, arguing new jobs are essential to strengthen the local economy.
Sean Paige of Local Liberty Action took the opposing view.
"This proposal puts taxpayer money at risk. It treats them like venture capitalists when they're taxpayers," Paige said.
The vote was 7-2, with Rivera and Councilman Darryl Glenn opposed.
• Change the mix on how the city uses its Trails, Open Space and Parks tax, increasing the amount allowed to be used for maintenance from 6 percent to 15 percent for five years. The TOPS tax is a penny on every $10 of a sale, approved in 1997 and extended in 2003.
• Let the city keep up to $1.2 million in extra revenue collected in 2008 to be used for "essential city services." The money would otherwise be refunded to taxpayers.
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Contact the writer: 636-0187 or perry.swanson@gazette.com
