HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 10/19/1999 - RESOLUTION 99-125 SUPPORTING A LARIMER COUNTY BALL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM NUMBER: 24
DATE: October 19, 1999
FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL STAFF: John Fischbach
SUBJECT:
Resolution 99-125 Supporting a Larimer County Ballot Initiative Authorizing the Collection,
Retention,and Expenditure of Revenue in Excess of the Limitations Set by Section 20 of Article X
of the Colorado Constitution (Tabor Amendment) and Article 1,Title 29 of the Colorado Revised
Statutes.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends adoption of the Resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Colorado voters approved the provisions of Section 20 of Article X of the State Constitution in the
1992 election. This provision, also known as the TABOR amendment, imposes revenues and
spending limits on local governments, unless voters approve the retention of revenues exceeding
those limits.
Notwithstanding a strong local economy, Larimer County is unable, because of the TABOR
amendment,to utilize all of the revenues it collects to keep pace with growing service needs. In fact,
the County is considering service reductions in its 2000 budget to accommodate,in part,the current
inability to retain'revenues it has and will collect. The Larimer County Commissioners have placed
on the November ballot a measure which would remove the TABOR limits and allow Latimer
County to keep all of its revenues and use them for much needed programs and services and
improvements. If voters approve the proposed ballot measure,the Board of County Commissioners
has indicated that the revenues would be targeted for priorities such as road maintenance, law
enforcement, and public facilities.
In over W elections, voters in cities, towns, counties and special districts in Colorado have
approved m:_:;s-2s to exempt these jurisdictions from the revenue and spending limits imposed by
the TABOR an_.ndment. If approved,the ballot measure exempting the County from the limitations
of Article X, Section 20 will not change (i.e.. will not increase) the existing tax rate and any such
future proposed tax rate change shall remain subject to voter approval.
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• RESOLUTION 99-125
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING A LARIMER COUNTY BALLOT INITIATIVE
AUTHORIZING THE COLLECTION,
RETENTION, AND EXPENDITURE OF REVENUE IN EXCESS OF THE LIMITATIONS
SET BY SECTION 20 OF ARTICLE X OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION
(TABOR AMENDMENT) AND ARTICLE 1, TITLE 29 OF THE
COLORADO REVISED STATUTES
WHEREAS, the Latimer County Commissioners have referred to the voters an initiative
authorizing the retention, expenditure and collection of revenue in excess of the limitations set by
Section 20 of Article X of the Colorado constitution(the"TABOR amendment")and Article 1,Title
29 of the Colorado Revised Statutes; and
WHEREAS, since the passage of the TABOR amendment, the tax revenues available to
Larimer County have,each year,fallen behind the actual cost of growth plus inflation in the County;
and
WHEREAS,because County revenues have not kept up with growth and citizen demand for
services, county public services and infrastructures are being degraded; and
WHEREAS, passage of the ballot proposal will allow Larimer County to:
• Use the revenues currently collected for services
• Accept the revenue from grants for citizen services and programs
• Strengthen and maintain the existing level of customer service for roads,
public safety and other programs
WHEREAS, the City Council believes that passage of this ballot measure is necessary to
maintain an adequate level of services to the citizens of the City and County; and
WHEREAS, passage of this ballot proposal will not allow the Board of County
Commissioners to increase any tax rates or impose any new taxes without a vote of the citizens; and
WHEREAS,in November of 1997 the citizens of the City of Fort Collins approved a similar
initiative allowing the City to retain all revenues collected that exceed the limitations of Article X,
Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution,and to use these revenues for the purposes of public health
and safety (including, but not limited to, environmental monitoring and mitigation, growth
management, transportation services, and maintaining and repairing city facilities).
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS that the City Council hereby supports the above-referenced ballot measure submitted by
the elected officials of Larimer County and encourages voters to approve this ballot measure at the
Larimer County Coordinated Election on November'-', 1999.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 19th
day of October, A.D. 1999.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk