HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-103-07/15/1997-CITIZEN INITIATIVE COLORADO DEPT TRANSPORTATION NOVEMBER 1997 BALLOT STATEWIDE LONG TERM NEEDS SUPPO RESOLUTION 97-103
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
IN SUPPORT OF THE COLORADO TRANSPORTATION NETWORK PROPOSED
CITIZEN INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS COLORADO'S STATEWIDE LONG-TERM
TRANSPORTATION NEEDS
WHEREAS, the State of Colorado faces a thirteen billion dollar shortfall in transportation
funding during the next twenty years; and
WHEREAS, Colorado's population increased by twelve percent from 1987 to 1995, while
at the same time Colorado Department of Transportation revenues (CDOT) fell by nearly twelve
percent; and
WHEREAS,the safety of Colorado's residents and the vitality of its economy demand that
greater attention be paid to transportation infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, other possible sources for funding have been tapped for their maximum
amounts, including (1) dedicated funds of up to $890 million from the state budget surplus for the
next five years, (2) a commitment of $100 million annually toward the state's "high-priority"
projects from CDOT, and (3) a proposal to raise an additional $88 million annually in RTD tax
dollars to address transit projects in the Denver metro area; and
WHEREAS, a state-wide citizen initiative has been proposed to address Colorado's long-
term transportation needs (the"Initiative")which will earmark$2.5 billion in new taxes and fees for
28 projects determined to be the most pressing state and local transportation needs through the year
2010; and
WHEREAS, upon completion of the above-referenced projects,the taxes and fees proposed
by the Initiative would terminate; and
WHEREAS,the Initiative is designed so that users of the transportation system are those who
would pay the taxes and fees; and
WHEREAS, a portion of the funds generated by the Initiative would be dedicated to local
government needs, and would boost the local share of Highway Users Tax funding by more than
forty percent generating more than one million dollars for street and road maintenance in Fort
Collins; and
WHEREAS,a portion of the funds generated by the Initiative would be"flexible,"and could
be used for alternative modes of transportation other than roads and highways; and
WHEREAS, if not addressed immediately,the state's transportation problems will become
worse—further jeopardizing safety,increasing costs and inhibiting those industries dependent upon
Colorado's transportation system.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the Council of the City of Fort Collins supports the passage of the
proposed Initiative to address Colorado's statewide long-term transportation needs on the November
1997 ballot,the purpose of which is to raise an additional $2.5 billion for funding critical state and
local transportation needs through the year 2010.
Section 2. That,to the extent permitted by law, the Council of the City of Fort Collins
will actively solicit support to ensure the passage of this Initiative in the upcoming November
election.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the City Counci th 15th day of J
1997.
Mayor
ATTEST(:
City Clerk (11