THE NEW TAX IS ON THE BALLOT FOR NOV. 7!
Thank you for being willing to listen…
The majority (2 to 1) of our Gilpin County Board of Commissioners voted to put a new tax proposal on your Gilpin County ballot this November (detail at end…⬇️). It is Ballot Issue 1A. The actual language is posted below, in case you would like to have a read.
FACTS:
The General Fund of our county planned, built and ran our rec center for the 17 years prior to the pandemic. It was open seven days a week (not five) and had more people using the facility. It had been run well before Covid, and the county’s coffers covered it all. Not until three years ago did the taxpayers have to kick in EXTRA money for the rec center, because the county closed it down. Threats were made that without that three-year mill levy, the center may stay closed for eight years! We passed that tax proposal. Taxpayers paid nearly $3.5 million during these three years. Those in charge hired new people, created new programs, and raised salaries! They didn’t provide for capital improvements in that tax hike! The current tax ends in December. Now? A proposal for a NEW TAX!
OVERVIEW:
The more notable points in the ballot language are in bold print, but here is a quick overview:
- This new tax never ends. (See the last three words).
- The politicians can move the money to anything they want with voter approval. IT IS NOT RESTRICTED “SOLELY TO FUNDING THE COUNTY’S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT” (as stated in the first paragraph)! (PLEASE, before you vote, look at the last paragraph to see how they slipped that in)!
- Take note of all the “ands” and ‘in additions” in the language.
- Your new tax is subject to inflation every year (up to 3%), forever.
- Your new tax will pay for daycare, among other things of which you might be surprised.
- Your new tax is in addition to the fees you pay to use the center.
- You pay this tax even if you never step foot in the center.
Ballot Issue 1A:
SHALL GILPIN COUNTY TAXES BE INCREASED BY APPROXIMATELY $1,308,450.00 BASED ON A 2.570 FIXED MILL LEVY DEDICATED SOLELY TO FUNDING THE COUNTY’S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR COLLECTION IN 2024 (WHICH IS ESTIMATED TO AMOUNT TO APPROXIMATELY $17.39 PER YEAR FOR EACH $100,000.00 OF ACTUAL RESIDENTIAL VALUE), AND BY SUCH ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUE AMOUNTS ANNUALLY THEREAFTER, IF ANY, FROM INCREASED TAXES GENERATED BY THE 2.570 FIXED MILL LEVY; AND ANNUALLY HEREAFTER BY AN ADDITIONAL PERCENTAGE EQUAL TO INFLATION PLUS ANNUAL LOCAL GROWTH AS DEFINED IN ART. X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION; ALL FOR THE PURPOSES OF RESTORING AND MAINTAINING THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT’S SERVICES AND FACILITIES, WHICH MAY INCLUDE WITHOUT LIMITATION:
- PROMOTING SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL HEALTH WITH EXISTING AND NEW PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES;
- REPAIRING, MAINTAINING, AND UPDATING THE POOLS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, FURNITURE, AND AMENITIES; ASSISTING IN FUNDING CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, FAIRGROUNDS, TRAIL, AND PETE GONES MEMORIAL PARK;
- LICENSED SCHOOL-AGED CHILDCARE, TEEN PROGRAMS, AND SENIOR SERVICES; AND USING THE COMMUNITY CENTER AS COMMUNITY HUB AND MEETING SPACE, OPEN TO EVERYONE FOR EVENTS, THE GILPIN COUNTY FAIR, RENTALS, FUNDRAISERS, EMERGENCIES, AND AS AN EVACUATION SHELTER;
AND SHALL GILPIN COUNTY BE ENTITLED TO COLLECT, RETAIN, AND SPEND THOSE REVENUES IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER TAXES, FEES, OR OTHER REVENUES OF GILPIN COUNTY AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND EXCEPTION TO ANY SPENDING OR REVENUE RESTRICTIONS OR OTHER LIMITS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, THE 5.5% PROPERTY TAX REVENUE LIMITATION OF C.R.S. §29-1-301, OR ANY OTHER LAW; AND SHALL ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS HEREIN BE PERPETUAL IN DURATION?
_ YES/FOR _ NO/AGAINST
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THE VOTE:
The Board of Commissioners’ votes on whether to put this new tax on the ballot are as follows:
Chairwoman Marie Mornis - NO
Commissioner Sandy Hollingsworth - YES
Commissioner Susan Berumen - YES
SHARE THE LIGHT:
We hope this information is helpful to you. If so, please share it with your friends and neighbors.
Donna Okray Parman, Founder, The Gilpin Light
Sandy Hollingsworth extension - 11103
Susan Berumen extension - 11102
