Black Forest voters get their chance on Tuesday

After months of debate, Black Forest voters on Tuesday will decide whether to form a city. Supporters say it would give residents control over how the area develops and protect its natural resources.

Opponents say the city would cost too much and create an unnecessary layer of government, providing services locals already receive.

ARGUMENTS FOR INCORPORATION

- Forming a city would let residents protect Black Forest from development creeping up from Colorado Springs.

- Controlling development would protect the area’s dwindling water supply.

- El Paso County officials, who make land decisions, don’t look out for the area’s best interests and often ignore locals’ wishes.

- Property tax cost is about $1 a day for a $300,000 house.

- Home-rule charter would let residents dictate how the city is run.

ARGUMENTS AGAINST INCORPORATION

- Most cities are funded mainly by sales-tax revenue, but because Black Forest has few businesses, much of the tax burden would fall on property owners.

- Incorporation was voted down by residents 20 years ago.

- The mayor of Watkins, a rural town that voted to incorporate in 2004 and then dissolved, thinks some Black Forest budget estimates are too low.

- The city would pay for law enforcement and road and bridge maintenance, servicesprovided by El Paso County.

OTHER ISSUES

Black Forest voters heading to the polls Tuesday also will vote on issues related to possible incorporation:

Should Black Forest form a home-rule city, and who should be elected to the city’s charter commission?

A home-rule city requires officials to draft a town charter, which dictates how the city will be governed.

Out of 270 Colorado cities and towns, about one-third are home rule, including Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs and Fountain.

Nine people elected to the commission would write the charter if Black Forest incorporates. Once the charter is finished, residents must vote on it, possibly in a June election.

Fourteen candidates are running for the commission — eight from the Black Forest Incorporation Committee and six from Keep Black Forest Free.

CANDIDATES FOR THE COMMISSION

From Black Forest Incorporation Committee

- Pete Burleson

- Bob Erler

- William (Bill) Kabis

- Tim Kealy

- Karen Marchman

- Wayne Pinegar

- Andy Taylor

- Judith P. von Ahlefeldt

From Keep Black Forest Free

- Nathan A. Dowden

- Jim Egan

- Eugene Ferrin

- Tina Routheir

- Richard D. Shuger

- Gary Watson

$2.9 MILLION ESTIMATED ANNUAL BUDGET IN FIRST FULL YEAR OF BLACK FOREST OPERATION

- City management: $632,500 (City manager: $80,000, City clerk/treasurer: $60,000 per year, Office manager: $40,000)

- Planning and zoning department: $224,513, (City planner: $70,000)

- Law enforcement (contracted with El Paso County Sheriff’s Office): $464,505

- Road and bridge maintenance (contracted with El Paso County Department of Transportation): $1,510,951

- Municipal court: $52,312

- Parks and recreation: $5,200

ESTIMATED COST TO RESIDENTS AFTER ADDITIONAL 2 PERCENT SALES TAX

11.7-mill property tax

- $280 per year for $300,000 market value house

- $373 per year for $400,000 market value house

- $466 per year for $500,000 market value house

3 percent franchise fee on gas, electric and telephone

- $90 per year if you pay $100 per month for gas

- $100 per month for electricity

- $50 per month for phone

SOURCE: www.saveblackforest.com/P_TaxEstimator.htm

VOTE

Day: Tuesday

Time: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Place: Black Forest Fire Station One, 11445 Teachout Road, corner of Burgess and Teachout roads

Who can vote: Registered voters living within the proposed city’s boundaries

Bring: Valid form of identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.)