HomeMy WebLinkAboutConstituent Letter - Read Before Packet - 07/16/2024 - Letter from Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce re: ¼-Cent Sales Tax Dedicated to Maintenance of Streets
July 12, 2024
Fort Collins City Council
Mayor Arndt, Mayor Pro Tem Francis, and
Council Members Gutowsky, Pignataro, Canonico, Potyondy and Ohlson
300 Laporte Ave.
Fort Collins, CO 80521
Mayor Arndt and Members of Council:
The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is a big fan of our streets. We love the fact our customers,
vendors, and co-workers are able to pull up to our front door safely and efficiently. We don’t much care for
closures, but we know it’s far more cost-effective to maintain our roads than it is replacing them. Our street
system is what brings us together. Wherever and whenever that may be. Which is great for our economy and
our shared prosperity.
For over forty years, the Chamber has been your closest ally in the effort to maintain our streets system.
Though we strongly believe maintaining our street system is a basic function of government and, therefore, an
expenditure that merits high priority in allocating general funds, we understand the pull of myriad interests. We
also recognize the function of our street system extends well beyond mere vehicle lanes; this community
expects our roads to accommodate multiple modes of travel and safety features. As we ask for more of our
street network, we must accept higher expenditures to maintain at least a ‘B’ average.
As you consider referring to voters a ballot measure to renew the ¼-cent sales tax dedicated to the
maintenance of our streets, we ask that you consider the following:
• Allow these tax dollars to support the maintenance of our entire streets system. Curb-to-curb and
everything in between, underground and overhead.
• Establish language that continues to assure full funding of the streets maintenance program from the
general fund and other sources. The anticipated revenue of this dedicated sales tax is no longer
sufficient to keep our roads in good shape, though does at least assure a base level of funding.
• Extend the term of the tax to 20 years in recognition that our streets are an integral part of our
community ecosystem and a priority for government.
The Chamber stands ready to work alongside the City Council, our City Manager, and the many dedicated
professionals in our Streets Maintenance Department to support the high-quality maintenance of our streets
system.
Sincerely,
Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce
Ann Hutchison, CAE
President & CEO
cc: Kelly DiMartino