Home
News
CARBONDALE, Colorado — The town of Carbondale is asking Garfield County to reserve a spot on the November ballot in order to ask town voters whether to extend a 1.5 mill property tax for public improvements that expires at the end of this year.
However, specific projects that might be listed in the ballot question are a matter of ongoing discussions by the Carbondale Board of Trustees.
“The board does want to preserve the ability to ask voters in November for an extension of the mill levy,” town manager Tom Baker said. “We don't want to lose that opportunity.”
The town has until Sept. 3 to present a specific ballot question to county election officials in order to be included in the Nov. 2 general election.
However, there is a possibility that the town may wait, given the economy and a political climate that might not be favorable to tax questions this fall, he said.
“The trustees are in a bit of a quandary about whether or not it's something we should do now, and if so, how specific we should be about which projects would be included,” Baker said.
In that case, the town could still consider asking voters in future years to re-instate the tax, he said.
The existing 1.5 mill levy was approved by a narrow margin in a 1999 election to pay for the so-called “streetscape” project along Carbondale's Main Street. The project included brick-paved bulb-outs and colored crosswalks at each intersection, new streetlights, and landscaping through the downtown core between Second and Eighth streets.
However, the tax is due to expire at the end of this year, and a majority of the town board would like to ask voters to consider extending it.
The tax generates roughly $175,000 per year, which over 10 years would amount to a little more than $1.7 million
At a meeting last week, trustees continued discussions around a list of some $20 million worth of potential capital projects related to safety issues, maintenance of existing infrastructure and various new projects.
Among the bigger ticket safety and maintenance items are a traffic control signal or roundabout at Highway 133 and Snowmass Drive and controlled pedestrian crossings at several key intersections.
Maintenance includes resurfacing and curb/gutter projects on several town streets, plus repairs in the now 12-plus-year-old River Valley Ranch subdivision.
The town is also looking at a growing wish list of possible expansion projects, including an extension of Industry Way from Highway 133 to Eighth Street, plus roundabouts at several busy intersections along Highway 133.
Trustees are expected to take up the conversation again next month in order to meet the Sept. 3 ballot deadline. The board must also begin developing a formal Capital Improvement Plan as part of the 2011 budget process, looking at other funds to pay for capital projects in addition to the special tax fund.
jstroud@postindependent.com
However, specific projects that might be listed in the ballot question are a matter of ongoing discussions by the Carbondale Board of Trustees.
“The board does want to preserve the ability to ask voters in November for an extension of the mill levy,” town manager Tom Baker said. “We don't want to lose that opportunity.”
The town has until Sept. 3 to present a specific ballot question to county election officials in order to be included in the Nov. 2 general election.
However, there is a possibility that the town may wait, given the economy and a political climate that might not be favorable to tax questions this fall, he said.
“The trustees are in a bit of a quandary about whether or not it's something we should do now, and if so, how specific we should be about which projects would be included,” Baker said.
In that case, the town could still consider asking voters in future years to re-instate the tax, he said.
The existing 1.5 mill levy was approved by a narrow margin in a 1999 election to pay for the so-called “streetscape” project along Carbondale's Main Street. The project included brick-paved bulb-outs and colored crosswalks at each intersection, new streetlights, and landscaping through the downtown core between Second and Eighth streets.
However, the tax is due to expire at the end of this year, and a majority of the town board would like to ask voters to consider extending it.
The tax generates roughly $175,000 per year, which over 10 years would amount to a little more than $1.7 million
At a meeting last week, trustees continued discussions around a list of some $20 million worth of potential capital projects related to safety issues, maintenance of existing infrastructure and various new projects.
Among the bigger ticket safety and maintenance items are a traffic control signal or roundabout at Highway 133 and Snowmass Drive and controlled pedestrian crossings at several key intersections.
Maintenance includes resurfacing and curb/gutter projects on several town streets, plus repairs in the now 12-plus-year-old River Valley Ranch subdivision.
The town is also looking at a growing wish list of possible expansion projects, including an extension of Industry Way from Highway 133 to Eighth Street, plus roundabouts at several busy intersections along Highway 133.
Trustees are expected to take up the conversation again next month in order to meet the Sept. 3 ballot deadline. The board must also begin developing a formal Capital Improvement Plan as part of the 2011 budget process, looking at other funds to pay for capital projects in addition to the special tax fund.
jstroud@postindependent.com
