HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-065-08/16/2016-EXPRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR THE PASSAGE OF A LARIMER COUNTY BALLOT ISSUE IMPOSING A TW RESOLUTION 2016-065
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS .
EXPRESSING THE CITY COUNCIL'S SUPPORT FOR THE PASSAGE
OF A LARIMER COUNTY BALLOT ISSUE IMPOSING A TWENTY FIVE ONE-
HUNDREDTHS OF ONE PERCENT COUNTYWIDE SALES AND USE TAX
FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, MAINTENANCE, AND
OPERATIONS OF A MENTAL HEALTH, DETOX AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
TREATMENT FACILITY AND RELATED COMMUNITY SERVICES, AND
URGING THE CITIZENS OF FORT COLLINS TO VOTE "YES" ON THIS BALLOT ISSUE
WHEREAS, mental illness and substance-use disorders are serious health issues for one
in four people in Larimer County; and
WHEREAS, mental illness and substance-use disorders are treatable health conditions,
but too often people in crisis end up at an emergency room, in jail, or are taken to a detox facility
in Greeley; and
WHEREAS, our community would benefit from a public, community-based mental
illness and behavioral health treatment center that could provide a continuum of care for mental -
health, detox, and substance abuse treatment and services that would be less costly than jails,
emergency rooms, or travelling outside the county for services; and
WHEREAS, on August 2, 2016, the Latimer County Board of County Commissioners
adopted Resolution No. 08022016R007, which placed on the November 8, 2016, general election
ballot a ballot issue that, if passed, would increase the County's sales and use taxes by .25%,
with the revenue from such tax being used to construct, improve, maintain and operate a
treatment and detox facility for mental health, substance abuse, and alcohol abuse, and to operate
out-patient and support services in connection with such facility; and
WHEREAS, the expected cost for land and construction of a 51,000-square-foot facility
is $20.42 million with anticipated annual operating costs of$11.77 million; and
WHEREAS, Latimer County taxes would be expected to increase by $16,500,000 in
2017, and by whatever additional amount is raised annually thereafter for 25 years; and
WHEREAS, the proposed facility would fill gaps in care in the community by
accommodating 4,700 adults annually, and is an investment in the health and well-being of our
community. -
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT COLLINS as follows:
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
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Section 2. That for the reasons set forth above, the City Council fully supports the passage of
the Larimer County ballot issue described herein.
Section 3. That the City Council urges every Larimer County registered voter to go
to the polls on November 8, 2016, and to vote "YES" on the ballot issue to increase sales and use
taxes by .25% to support the construction and operation of a mental health, substance abuse and
alcohol abuse treatment facility in Larimer County.
Passed and adopted at a regular meeting of the Council of the City of Fort Collins this
16th day of August, A.D. 2016.
gStT co" r
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Mayor
ATTEST: :o
COLOFA j
City Clerk
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