$1,000,000 ANNUAL DONATION FOR THE REC CENTER!!!! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The City of Black Hawk has just offered Gilpin County an annual gift of ONE MILLION DOLLARS if they will dedicate the funds “exclusively for the operating expenses of the Gilpin County Community Center.”
Great! We have been being bullied for almost a year now with new taxes to keep our rec center open. Two of the Commissioners (Hollingsworth and Berumen) raised the user fees this year, since the taxpayers refused the forever 1A tax they put on the ballot in November. We said, “No! Start spending our money more wisely and make the rec center a priority!” Oh no - they found a back door to get the money from the taxpayers and raised the fees!
These two Commissioners told us during the Budget Hearings they will be back again this year to try and get another Mill Levy to help pay for the rec center!
Guess what!!!!!! The City of Black Hawk’s offer will provide 2/3 of the all the money a mill levy would have brought in!
Best of all? The agreement will prohibit Gilpin County Commissioners from raising another mill levy - all of Gilpin County taxpayers can relax and breathe easier because their current mill levy of nearly 10.7 mills shall “not be exceeded”!
All we heard last year was how they need “dedicated funding for the rec center.” Well, HERE IT IS!!! It looks like they’d rather tax us “forever” than accept this offer.
Mayor Spellman had a great idea - essentially write an IGA (Inter-Governmental Agreement) similar to the one we have been working under for The Gilpin School for many years. It has served us well.
We appreciate Mayor Spellman and the Black Hawk City Council’s offer to help us fund our rec center seven days a week!
Are these Commissioners going to accept this offer? So far, only Commissioner Mornis is in favor of this agreement. The others are already saying they won’t re-open the rec center for seven days, even though this money would cover the costs! (See below).
What in the world are they thinking? I attended the Black Hawk City Council meeting yesterday where a couple comments from their Council members were to “pull the offer back,” since Gilpin County doesn’t like the proposal as it was offered. Thankfully, Mayor Spellman got agreement from his Council to leave the offer on the table until sometime in April. Please consider tapping the link below and let your Commissioners know what you think. Or call them at the numbers provided. It’s time for the regular folks to make a difference in Gilpin County! Right?!?
Yes, please! This is the answer we have been waiting for as taxpayers of Gilpin County!
Sign the agreement, Commissioners. Now, before the offer goes away!
Thank you for reading, researching and sharing the light!
Donna Okray Parman
Founder, The Gilpin Light
Tap the rectangle below for the email template…
Sandy Hollingsworth extension - 11103
Susan Berumen extension - 11102
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The actual audio from the Black Hawk City Council meeting yesterday is attached to your cover letter. It is 22 minutes long, but you hear the offer and the Council’s comments.
I have also attached below the Black Hawk IGA Term Sheet AND Gilpin County’s response - for those who enjoy reading the details!
