Parks advocates withdraw request for sales tax proposal

Citing a lack of support among elected officials, parks advocates this morning withdrew their request for a sales tax to fund maintenance at area parks.

Great Parks-Great Communities wanted voters to decide on a 0.15 percent sales tax, to make up for drastic budget cuts that have left facilities closed, trash uncollected and lawns unwatered. That would have meant 1.5 cents on a $10 purchase, for an estimated $9.4 million annually to divide among municipalities for park maintenance.

But at the last minute, Susan Davies, executive director of the Trails and Open Space Coalition, told El Paso County commissioners that parks supporters no longer want the measure on the November ballot. The county would have had to approve the ballot measure and pay for the election.

Newly elected Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach, whose city would get 78 percent of the revenue, had voiced opposition to the tax, as had some commissioners.

“We regret that we have been unable to convince you to support allowing a vote on the Great Parks initiative despite a vast majority of our residents favoring this fundamental opportunity,” Davies said.

After the meeting, Davies said the request was withdrawn without a vote because “we were told by all the wise political people in this town we pretty much didn’t have a prayer.” Rather than “embarrass” commissioners by asking them to vote on what she saw as a doomed measure, advocates decided to withdraw the measure in the spirit of preserving goodwill for future efforts.

While commissioners did not vote, it was clear Davies’ assessment was correct.

“I think we all value our parks and value what they bring to our community but I do think we also need to give the new mayor an opportunity to take a look at the budget,” said Commissioner Sallie Clark.

“Parks are a wonderful thing, but right now, for this request, it may not be the perfect time,” said Commissioner Peggy Littleton.

Commissioner Darryl Glenn said even had the board voted to put it on the ballot, he would have recommended an accompanying resolution voicing opposition to the tax.

“I would’ve said, ‘Do you want to have the now sitting mayor of Colorado Springs openly opposed to this particular request and potentially a resolution not in favor of supporting this tax increase out there?” Glenn said.

The Great Parks-Great Communities initiate began more than three years ago, when the county considered selling part of Bear Creek Regional Park in response to budget woes.

Davies said the initiative will continue, with lobbying city and county officials to restore parks money, finding ways to regionalize efforts among parks agencies and possibly asking for a ballot measure in 2012, when cost of an election would not be such a big issue because there is already county-wide voting, or a city-wide ballot measure.

“We are confident that with our community’s strong desire to restore our park systems and our hope of future support from our elected leaders, our parks will once again be a source of community pride,” Davies said.

The commissioners appear to support the idea of more cooperation among city and county parks departments, and county administrator Jeff Greene said he has been in touch with new city administration on the topic as it develops the next year’s budget.

A few members of the public spoke at the meeting, one opposed to the tax, others in favor.

“I just feel like we are at a point in time that decisions do have to be made and we cannot just sort of smooth it out and perhaps it will be a better economy next year and perhaps we can put some more money in our parks,” said former county commissioner and former Manitou Springs mayor Marcy Morrison.

“I really encourage you and urge you to consider the idea of regionalization and to see if we can’t put something together that will be to the benefit of the public,” she said.

Said Commissioner Amy Lathen, “We absolutely support a regional concept and taking a look at how we can do that.”