OPINION: We must free the TOPS funds

Financially burdened taxpayers have financially burdened governments. That's the way it should be. It's the only way it can be, without enriching government by further impoverishing the tax base. Government creates nothing, so it ought to thrive only when taxpayers thrive.

Poor local governments, supported by taxpayers who are increasingly turning to food stamps and soup kitchens for survival, shouldn't buy grandiose amenities. What's a grandiose government amenity? Here's one: the purchase of large tracts of land that require maintenance, set aside as open space that no longer generates tax revenue, so people can gawk at virgin terrain and wildlife. Open space acquisition should be the luxury of a government that's awash in cash, even after providing abundance of road and bridge maintenance, fire and crime protection. It should be a city's lowest priority.

In Colorado Springs, city officials are beginning to embrace the realities of this relentless recession. They're contemplating an April ballot question that would ask for more latitude when it comes to spending money raised by the .01 percent Trails and Open space and Parks (TOPS) sales tax. Voters approved the tax 11 years ago, with a stipulation the funds would be used for land acquisition and trails. The ballot question might ask voters to allow money to be spent on maintenance of other city parks, which weren't bought with the TOPS tax, or it may ask for an increase in the percentage of tax revenue that can be used for maintenance.

It's inappropriate to maintain strict protection of funds for an elaborate amenity while we're told that far more important aspects of city government are neglected for lack of funds. Money is fungible, so freeing TOPS funds for parks maintenance would benefit the entire budget. It's a wise idea.