The 0.25% open space sales tax expires at the end of 2019. Ballot issues 1B and 1C propose extending the tax for 15 years, but dedicating only half to open space (1B) while the other half would provide a new revenue source for sustainability projects (1C) such as water conservation, recycling and composting, energy efficiency, local and organic food, and public transportation.
Recommendation: no/against
The county understandably doesn’t like losing a source of revenue, but since 2010 voters have been generous, passing all the new county taxes (1A and 1B in 2010 and 1A in 2014) and the tax extension (1B in 2014). This year the county is also proposing a new property tax 1A to pay for road reconstruction.
One reason that the county put 1A on the ballot is because part of the county’s Road and Bridge Fund already goes to getting people out of their cars and that money isn’t available for road reconstruction. The county government has been known to undertake sustainability projects when they have money even without first asking the voters. If the county’s sustainability budget is financially constrained, it will be more likely to focus on the best projects instead of just getting a blank check from the voters in a year with a very crowded ballot.
It wouldn’t be surprising if county taxpayers feel ballot fatigue and tax overload this year.
Elizabeth Warren and her daughter wrote a book called The Two-Income Trap in which they argue that two-adult households that live on one income can better handle a financial crisis than those depending on two incomes. Similarly, if Boulder County becomes so dependent on the current and proposed revenue streams, at some point when the county really needs the money, the county voters may not be able or willing to provide a financial safety net.
Website for the Yes Side (Citizens for Sustainability and Open Space)
http://bocosos.com/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
COUNTY ISSUE 1C (Countywide Sustainability Sales and Use Tax Extension):
With no increase in any county tax or tax rate, shall one-half (0.125%) of the county’s existing 0.25% sales and use tax for open space, currently set to expire December 31, 2019, be extended for an additional period of fifteen years to and including December 31, 2034 for the purpose of funding sustainability infrastructure and programs, including but not limited to the following:
- programs to conserve our water resources by helping farmers, residents and businesses reduce their water use;
- recycling and composting services and facilities for Boulder County residents and business owners to help reduce waste;
- energy efficiency and renewable energy services such as EnergySmart programs for homes and businesses and home weatherization for low income households;
- assistance to local farmers to grow more local and organic food for boulder county residents; and
- programs to increase transportation choices by making it easier to use public transit, providing affordable transportation options for low income residents and students, and promoting electric vehicles and charging stations;
And shall the revenues and the earnings on the investment of the proceeds of such tax, regardless of amount, constitute a voter-approved revenue change; all in accordance with Board of County Commissioners’ Resolution No. 2016-79?
YES/FOR _______
NO/AGAINST _________
Resolution No. 2016-79 with details for ballot issue 1C
http://www.bouldercounty.org/doc/bocc/2016-79_Sustainability.pdf
Recommendation: no/against
The county understandably doesn’t like losing a source of revenue, but since 2010 voters have been generous, passing all the new county taxes (1A and 1B in 2010 and 1A in 2014) and the tax extension (1B in 2014). This year the county is also proposing a new property tax 1A to pay for road reconstruction.
One reason that the county put 1A on the ballot is because part of the county’s Road and Bridge Fund already goes to getting people out of their cars and that money isn’t available for road reconstruction. The county government has been known to undertake sustainability projects when they have money even without first asking the voters. If the county’s sustainability budget is financially constrained, it will be more likely to focus on the best projects instead of just getting a blank check from the voters in a year with a very crowded ballot.
It wouldn’t be surprising if county taxpayers feel ballot fatigue and tax overload this year.
Elizabeth Warren and her daughter wrote a book called The Two-Income Trap in which they argue that two-adult households that live on one income can better handle a financial crisis than those depending on two incomes. Similarly, if Boulder County becomes so dependent on the current and proposed revenue streams, at some point when the county really needs the money, the county voters may not be able or willing to provide a financial safety net.
Website for the Yes Side (Citizens for Sustainability and Open Space)
http://bocosos.com/
Website for the No Side
No known website – Info on an opposition website appreciated.
Approved Ballot Language
COUNTY ISSUE 1C (Countywide Sustainability Sales and Use Tax Extension):
With no increase in any county tax or tax rate, shall one-half (0.125%) of the county’s existing 0.25% sales and use tax for open space, currently set to expire December 31, 2019, be extended for an additional period of fifteen years to and including December 31, 2034 for the purpose of funding sustainability infrastructure and programs, including but not limited to the following:
- programs to conserve our water resources by helping farmers, residents and businesses reduce their water use;
- recycling and composting services and facilities for Boulder County residents and business owners to help reduce waste;
- energy efficiency and renewable energy services such as EnergySmart programs for homes and businesses and home weatherization for low income households;
- assistance to local farmers to grow more local and organic food for boulder county residents; and
- programs to increase transportation choices by making it easier to use public transit, providing affordable transportation options for low income residents and students, and promoting electric vehicles and charging stations;
And shall the revenues and the earnings on the investment of the proceeds of such tax, regardless of amount, constitute a voter-approved revenue change; all in accordance with Board of County Commissioners’ Resolution No. 2016-79?
YES/FOR _______
NO/AGAINST _________
Resolution No. 2016-79 with details for ballot issue 1C
http://www.bouldercounty.org/doc/bocc/2016-79_Sustainability.pdf
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