HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-064-09/21/2010-OPPOSING THE 2010 STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES DESIGNATED AS PROPOSITION 101 AND AMENDMENTS 60 AND 61 RESOLUTION 2010-064
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF FORT COLLINS
OPPOSING THE 2010 STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURES
DESIGNATED AS PROPOSITION 101 AND AMENDMENTS 60 AND 61
WHEREAS, on November 2, 2010, voters of the state will consider ballot measures
Proposition 101, Amendment 60, and Amendment 61; and
WHEREAS, by severely reducing revenue and restricting financing options, these ballot
measures individually and collectively will adversely affect the ability of the City, the State, and
other units of government to provide essential infrastructure,including transportation infrastructure
and recreation and park amenities, as well as services such as police and fire protection; and
WHEREAS,since 2005,the City has already eliminated$24 million from its budget and has
reduced services accordingly; and
WHEREAS,Proposition 101,by reducing,and in some instances eliminating taxes,fees and
chargers on telecommunications and motor vehicle sales and leases, will eliminate $11.9 million in
City revenue by 2014, including a $2.9 million reduction in revenue for the Building on Basics
capital project program that provides funding for vital transportation projects approved by Fort
Collins voters in 2005; and
WHEREAS, Amendment 60, which imposes drastic limitations on property taxes, will
reduce the City's general fund services by $2.5 million in 2011 alone, and will likely result in rate
increases for City utility services to offset the Amendment 60 requirement that the City's utility
enterprises pay property taxes; it will reverse the decision of Fort Collins voters on the use of
property taxes; it will reduce revenue for other units of government, including the Downtown
Development Authority and the Urban Renewal Authority; and it will significantly reduce revenue
for the Poudre School District; and
WHEREAS,Amendment 61,which imposes severe limitations on the issuance of debt,will
limit the ability of the state and the City to finance operations and capital projects and to refinance
existing debt; it will raise the cost of future, voter-approved measures to raise funds through the
issuance of bonds; and it will dramatically impair the City's ability to finance long-term capital
improvements like road and bridge projects, police and fire stations, parks, open space and public
facilities, as well as energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements to existing public
facilities; and
WHEREAS,Proposition 101,Amendment 60,and Amendment 61 will negatively affect the
economy in the City and the State while the economy struggles to recover from the continuing
economic downturn.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that, for the reasons stated above, the City Council strongly opposes ballot
measures Proposition 101, Amendment 60, and Amendment 61, asks the voters of Fort Collins to
inform themselves as to the consequences of these measures, and further asks the voters to vote
against all three measures.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this 21 st
day of September A.D. 2010.
Mayor
ATTEST:-
City Clerk