HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-079-09/02/2014-SUPPORTING THE REFERRED BALLOT MEASURE TO RENEW THE HELP PRESERVE OPEN SPACES SALES AND USE TAX RESOLUTION 2014-079
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
SUPPORTING THE REFERRED BALLOT MEASURE TO RENEW
THE HELP PRESERVE OPEN SPACES SALES AND USE TAX
WHEREAS, in November 1995, the citizens of Larimer County approved the Help
Preserve Open Spaces Sales and Use Tax (the "Tax"), a one quarter of one percent sales and
use tax that provides funds for the "acquisition, protection, improvement and long-term
maintenance of open space, natural areas, wildlife habitat, parks and trails"; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Larimer County passed Initiated Issue 100 on November 2,
1999, which extended the Tax through the year 2018 and authorizing Larimer County to issue
revenue bonds to accelerate land protection programs; and
WHEREAS, the Tax provides funding for Latimer County and each municipality in the
County to implement open land protection, trails, parks, and other programs for the benefit of the
citizens of the County; and
WHEREAS, the "fax has made it possible to protect over 43,000 acres of natural areas,
open spaces, wildlife habitats and agricultural lands, and over 80 miles of regional trails in the
County; and
WHEREAS, the Tax has been used by Larimer County, the City of Fort Collins, and
other municipalities to protect natural areas and other open lands, provide recreational facilities,
and create environmental education and interpretation opportunities for all citizens of the
County; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Latimer County continue to express strong support and a high
demand for open space and natural areas protection, trails, and recreation facilities; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the County began a study regarding the future of open land
programs through the County, known as the "Our Lands Our Future" study; and
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the study, a sub-committee of the County's Open Lands
Board met to assess the County's financial needs for management of existing open space lands,
as well as acquisition and management of new lands; and
WHEREAS, following their assessment review, the County sub-committee recommended
to the Latimer County Commissioners that a 25-year extension of the Tax to December 31, 2043,
be presented to the citizens of Larimer County; and
WHEREAS, on July 29, 2014, based on the sub-committee's recommendation, the
Larimer County Commissioners unanimously approved County Resolution No. 07292014R002,
referring to the November 4, 2014, ballot a measure to extend the Tax, which upon approval by
the voters would be implemented in 2019; and
- 1 -
WHEREAS, in addition to extending the Tax, the referred ballot measure removes the
current 'citizen advisory board comprised of elected official appointed from Fort Collins,
Loveland, Estes Park, and Berthoud, replacing that board with a nine-member advisory board
whose members are appointed by the County Commissioners based on interests, geography, and
location;,and
WHEREAS, approval of the referred ballot measure would provide an ongoing source to
partially fund City of Fort Collins programs to protect and enhance important natural areas and
open lands.and to provide trails and other facilities for public use and enjoyment; and
WHEREAS, approval of the referred ballot measure would continue support for ongoing
conservation partnerships between the City of Fort Collins, Latimer County, and other regional
entities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS that the Council of the City of Fort Collins endorses the ballot measure
referred by the Larimer County Commissioners under County Resolution No. 07292014R002 to
extend the Help Preserve Open Spaces Sales and Use Tax for an additional 25 years
beginning in 2019, and encourages the citizens of Fort Collins and Latimer County to vote
"yes" on the measure in the November 4, 2014 Larimer County Coordinated Election.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
2nd day of September, A.D. 2014.
M yor
ATTEST:
y�r .a.ra. CO
ar
Chief Deputy City Clerk l�
cab ORAD�r
- 2 -