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SILT - Town voters are being asked once again whether or not to approve a lodging tax which would add $3.50 per night to motel customers, with the funds used to help beautify Silt.
Along with the lodging tax, voters will also decide if the town should become a home rule municipality instead of its current status as a statutory town and to elect nine members to a home rule charter commission.
The lodging tax question was first brought up in 2004 and failed by a 58 to 42 percent margin. Town trustee Dave Moore, who proposed the tax, blamed the wording on the ballot question, which he said indicated the money would simply go into the town's general fund.
The ballot question this year spells out that money collected from the lodging tax would go into an enterprise fund that is specifically earmarked for the beautification of Silt.
"I'd like to see a planned look that would reflect the town's antiquity, folklore and cozy, quaint setting," Moore said. "Silt has an early American Western look and it's a cowboy town. We should keep it looking that way and clean it up."
Proponents of the lodging tax point out that the tax would only be paid by those visiting Silt - not the residents. Other communities, including Glenwood Springs and New Castle have a lodging tax in place. The tax would be used to make a positive impact on the town's economy and benefit local businesses.
Those who oppose the tax say that even a $1 increase might drive away a potential motel customer looking for a lower priced room. Opponents say Silt does not have the attractions or amenities offered by surrounding municipalities and that the price of motel rooms is critical. The loss of motel business would mean fewer sales tax revenues from other businesses.
The town of Silt currently has one lodging facility - the Red River Motel on Highway 6&24.
If approved, the tax is expected to generate nearly $64,000 per year, and would go into effect on May 1, 2006.
The second ballot question asks whether Silt should form a home rule charter commission with a list of nine candidates to fill the nine spots on the commission.
If approved, the commission would formulate a home rule charter which would be submitted to the town board this summer and go to voters for approval in the November general election.
Silt is currently a statutory town governed by state laws. As a home rule municipality, the town would operate more independently from state statutes as far as collecting taxes and creating ordinances. The home rule designation would not mean any additional costs or taxes to residents.
Currently, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle and Rifle are all home rule municipalities. The town of Parachute is not.
Ballots for the April 4 municipal election were mailed out to voters on March 10. They may be returned by mail or dropped off at Silt Town Hall, 231 N. Seventh St., by 7 p.m. on April 4.
Those who haven't received a ballot should contact Town Clerk Sheila McIntyre at 876-2353.
Along with the lodging tax, voters will also decide if the town should become a home rule municipality instead of its current status as a statutory town and to elect nine members to a home rule charter commission.
The lodging tax question was first brought up in 2004 and failed by a 58 to 42 percent margin. Town trustee Dave Moore, who proposed the tax, blamed the wording on the ballot question, which he said indicated the money would simply go into the town's general fund.
The ballot question this year spells out that money collected from the lodging tax would go into an enterprise fund that is specifically earmarked for the beautification of Silt.
"I'd like to see a planned look that would reflect the town's antiquity, folklore and cozy, quaint setting," Moore said. "Silt has an early American Western look and it's a cowboy town. We should keep it looking that way and clean it up."
Proponents of the lodging tax point out that the tax would only be paid by those visiting Silt - not the residents. Other communities, including Glenwood Springs and New Castle have a lodging tax in place. The tax would be used to make a positive impact on the town's economy and benefit local businesses.
Those who oppose the tax say that even a $1 increase might drive away a potential motel customer looking for a lower priced room. Opponents say Silt does not have the attractions or amenities offered by surrounding municipalities and that the price of motel rooms is critical. The loss of motel business would mean fewer sales tax revenues from other businesses.
The town of Silt currently has one lodging facility - the Red River Motel on Highway 6&24.
If approved, the tax is expected to generate nearly $64,000 per year, and would go into effect on May 1, 2006.
The second ballot question asks whether Silt should form a home rule charter commission with a list of nine candidates to fill the nine spots on the commission.
If approved, the commission would formulate a home rule charter which would be submitted to the town board this summer and go to voters for approval in the November general election.
Silt is currently a statutory town governed by state laws. As a home rule municipality, the town would operate more independently from state statutes as far as collecting taxes and creating ordinances. The home rule designation would not mean any additional costs or taxes to residents.
Currently, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, New Castle and Rifle are all home rule municipalities. The town of Parachute is not.
Ballots for the April 4 municipal election were mailed out to voters on March 10. They may be returned by mail or dropped off at Silt Town Hall, 231 N. Seventh St., by 7 p.m. on April 4.
Those who haven't received a ballot should contact Town Clerk Sheila McIntyre at 876-2353.
