City Of Boulder Seeks Input On November Ballot Measures

Boulder CO

15 June, 2021

2:35 PM

Description

BOULDER, CO — Boulder voters can expect to receive a text message this week with a link to a survey that's gathering feedback about two measures that may appear on the city's Nov. 2 ballot, officials announced Tuesday. The first proposed initiative is a 15-year extension of the 0.30 percent Capital Resilience and Safety Tax — known as the Community, Culture and Safety Tax — that was approved by voters in 2014 for capital improvements. The temporary tax was extended in 2017 for four more years, but this time, the city is asking voters about a 15-year extension. The second possible initiative would ask about the approval of up to a $110 million bond to help accelerate funding of capital infrastructure projects, the city said. "In 2011, the city identified infrastructure and non-profit community projects that required funding outside the city's general fund," the city said in a news release. "Boulder voters approved a series of capital infrastructure funding programs starting with the $49M Capital Bond in 2011." Because both possible measures are extensions, city sales tax rates will not increase if they are approved. Don't miss the latest news updates in Boulder: Free Boulder Patch Newsletters and Email Alerts | Facebook | Twitter The 0.3 percent sales tax extension is expected to generate about $11.5 million annually, and the revenue from the tax would be used to pay off the (up to a) $110 million bond, the city said. The cost of a 0.3 percent sales tax on a $100 purchase is 30 cents. That revenue — and the $49 million 2011 Capital Bond — have funded more than 100 infrastructure projects, which include improvements to the Fourmile Canyon Creek Greenway, the North Boulder Branch Library and the Scott Carpenter Pool; and the relocation of Fire Station #3. Non-profit community projects that were funded include the Museum of Boulder and Dairy Center renovations, Growing Gardens improvements and a new facility for Meals on Wheels. Survey questions ask about areas of focus, the proposed project list, bonding authority, the non-profit component and duration. "As part of this effort, several focus groups designed to gather input from non-profits will take place in June and July,' the city's news release read. "These groups will include non-profit recipients and applicants of previous CCS funding, as well as the broader non-profit community." The survey will be open through June 27, the city said. >> You can take the survey here.