Media Contact:
Contact: Janice Vos Caudill
Clerk and Recorder – 429-2710
Important Input for TABOR Notices to be Mailed in October
(Aspen, CO) Local election officials are now collecting comments from the public detailing the pros and cons of nine financial ballot issues in the upcoming Pitkin County General Election November 6th. The comments collected from the public will be published in the TABOR (Taxpayer Bill of Rights) Notice and mailed to all voters 30 days before this November’s election.
“A registered elector who wishes to submit a pro or con statement regarding any of the nine financial ballot questions may submit their comments to the Designated Election Official of each district, and the elector must be registered in the district,” said Pitkin County Clerk, Janice Vos Caudill. “We are required by the Colorado Constitution to publish the TABOR Notice, and it is referred to by many residents when studying an issue before voting,” Vos Caudill said.
Financial questions on the November ballot come from the following eight jurisdictions, and comments should be emailed to the designated election official (DEO) of each district as indicated below:
Only registered voters residing in the political subdivision and eligible to vote on the questions can submit comments on the question, and comments must include a signature where the signer is registered to vote. The deadline for written comments for the TABOR Notice shall be filed by noon on Friday, September 21st. Tabor Notices will be mailed to all registered voters no later than Friday, October 5th.
For more Pitkin County election information, including a soon-to-be-posted sample ballot with the text of all ballot races and measures, go to www.pitkinvotes.com.
The Pitkin County Ballot Issues read as follows:
Ballot Issue 1A: Dedicated Property Tax for Healthy Community Fund
SHALL PITKIN COUNTY TAXES BE INCREASED BY UP TO $750,000 ANNUALLY THROUGH AN INCREASE IN AND EXTENSION OF THE EXISTING HEALTHY COMMUNITY FUND PROPERTY TAX LEVY, RESULTING IN A TOTAL HEALTHY COMMUNITY FUND PROPERTY TAX LEVY OF UP TO $3,079,189 COMMENCING WITH THE 2019 COLLECTION YEAR, AND THE SAME AMOUNT, ADJUSTED ANNUALLY FOR INFLATION AND LOCAL GROWTH, FOR EIGHT YEARS THEREAFTER FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING A STABLE FUNDING SOURCE FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE AND COMMUNITY NON-PROFIT PROGRAMS INCLUDING:
PROTECTIVE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN AT-RISK HOUSEHOLDS
PROTECTION OF THE QUALITY OF OUR NATURAL RESOURCES
SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, TREATMENT, AND AFTERCARE SERVICES FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS
CARE FOR THE TERMINALLY ILL AND THEIR FAMILIES
PHYSICAL, SOCIAL, EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR OLDER ADULTS THAT SUPPORT HEALTH AND AGING WITH DIGNITY
ACCESS TO PREVENTION AND INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR LOWER-INCOME CITIZENS
WORKING WITH DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED CITIZENS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ENHANCE THEIR ABILITY TO LIVE INDEPENDENT LIVES
AND SHALL PITKIN COUNTY BE ENTITLED TO COLLECT, RETAIN, AND SPEND THE FULL REVENUES FROM SUCH TAX INCREASE AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE ANNUAL REVENUES FROM SUCH TAX INCREASE IN ANY YEAR AFTER THE FIRST FULL YEAR IN WHICH IT IS IN EFFECT EXCEED THE ESTIMATED DOLLAR AMOUNT STATED ABOVE AND NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE OR EXPENDITURE LIMITATION IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION, STATE LAW OR THE COUNTY HOME RULE CHARTER?
Ballot Issue 2E: Marijuana Tax
SHALL TOWN OF SNOWMASS VILLAGE TAXES BE INCREASED BY FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($400,000.00) ANNUALLY IN THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR (2019), AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL SALES TAX OF FIVE PERCENT (5%) ON THE SALE OF RETAIL MARIJUANA AND RETAIL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS, WITH THE TAX REVENUES BEING USED TO FUND GENERAL MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT EXPENSES AS DETERMINED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL, WITH THE RATE OF THE TAX BEING ALLOWED TO BE INCREASED, DECREASED OR ELIMINATED AFTER THE FIRST FISCAL YEAR AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS BY THE TOWN COUNCIL WITHOUT FURTHER VOTER APPROVAL SO LONG AS THE RATE OF TAXATION DOES NOT EXCEED FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%), AND WITH THE RESULTING TAX REVENUE BEING ALLOWED TO BE COLLECTED AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY EXPENDITURE, REVENUE RAISING, OR OTHER LIIMITATION CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20, OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW AS IT CURRENTLY EXISTS OR AS IT MAY BE AMENDED IN THE FUTURE AND WITHOUT LIMITING IN ANY YEAR THE AMOUNT OF OTHER REVENUES THAT MAY BE COLLECTED AND SPENT BY THE TOWN OF SNOWMASS VILLAGE?
Ballot Issue 6A: Aspen Fire Protection District – Operating and Capital Mill Levy
SHALL ASPEN FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $3.3 MILLION ANNUALLY (FOR COLLECTION IN CALENDAR YEAR 2019) AND BY SUCH ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY IMPOSED AT A RATE OF ONE AND THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-FIVE THOUSANDTHS (1.325) MILLS FOR A TWENTY YEAR PERIOD (THROUGH TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2038) AND REDUCED TO NINE TENTHS (0.9) MILLS AFTER SUCH LIMITED PERIOD IN ORDER TO FUND DISTRICT CAPITAL NEEDS AND TO MEET THE OPERATIONAL COSTS OF PROVIDING FIRE PROTECTION, MEDICAL, RESCUE AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES INCLUDING, AMONG OTHER THINGS,
PROVIDING FIREFIGHTER HOUSING,
UPGRADING AND MAINTAINING FIRE APPARATUS, EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND EXISTING FIRE STATIONS,
ESTABLISHING AN EMERGENCY FIRE/DISASTER FUND, AND
MAINTAINING AND TRAINING ADEQUATE STAFF AND VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS;
WHICH MILL LEVY RATE INCREASE SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO THE MILL LEVY CURRENTLY IMPOSED BY THE DISTRICT; AND SHALL THE REVENUE FROM THE MILL LEVY RATE AUTHORIZED ABOVE CONSTITUTE VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGES WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 29-1-301 OF THE COLORADO REVISED STATUTES?
Ballot Issue 6B:
SHALL SNOWMASS-WILDCAT FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $0.00 (ZERO DOLLARS) IN COLLECTION YEAR 2019; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT’S OPERATING MILL LEVY RATE OF 8.0 MILLS BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY TO OFFSET REVENUE LOSSES FROM REFUNDS, ABATEMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE LAW REGARDING, OR THE METHODS OF CALCULATING, THE RATIO OF VALUATION FOR ASSESSMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY, SO THAT TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, NOTWITHSTANDING SUCH REFUNDS, ABATEMENT AND CHANGES, THE DISTRICT’S NET TAX REVENUES SHALL REMAIN AS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY DISTRICT VOTERS, THE REVENUE THEREFROM TO PAY FOR THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL EXPENSES RELATED TO FIRE PROTECTION, AMBULANCE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND RESCUE SERVICES; AND SHALL ALL DISTRICT REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE LIMITS PROVIDED BY LAW?
Ballot Issue 7A: Roaring Fork Transportation Authority - Property Tax Mill Levy Increase
SHALL ROARING FORK TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $9.5 MILLION ANNUALLY (FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR DOLLAR INCREASE, FOR COLLECTION IN 2019) AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE GENERATED IN FUTURE FISCAL YEARS FROM AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY IMPOSED AT A RATE OF 2.65 MILLS, AND SHALL AUTHORITY DEBT BE INCREASED UP TO $74.675 MILLION, WITH A MAXIMUM REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $145.744 MILLION, FOR PURPOSES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
BUS RAPID TRANSIT AND LOCAL BUS SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCE CONGESTION ALONG HIGHWAY 82;
MOBILITY ENHANCEMENTS FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLIST AND TRANSIT USERS;
CONSTRUCTION OF THE LOWER VALLEY TRAIL;
IMPROVED ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE RIO GRANDE TRAIL;
CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PARK AND RIDES, BUS STOPS AND OTHER TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES;
PURCHASE OF NEW BUSES, INCLUDING ELECTRIFICATION OF BUSES FOR EMISSION AND NOISE REDUCTIONS;
SUCH DEBT TO BE INCURRED BY THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS PAYABLE FROM THE REVENUES OF SUCH TAX AND, TO THE EXTENT MONEYS FROM SUCH TAX ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THE REPAYMENT OF SUCH BONDS, FROM ANY OTHER LEGALLY AVAILABLE REVENUES OF THE AUTHORITY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, AUTHORITY SALES AND USE TAXES, VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES, FARE REVENUES, TAXES AND OTHER MONEYS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH PITKIN COUNTY, EAGLE COUNTY, OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY, SERVICE CONTRACT REVENUES, AND STATE OR FEDERAL GRANTS; WHICH BONDS SHALL BEAR INTEREST, MATURE, BE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, WITH OR WITHOUT PREMIUM, AND BE ISSUED, DATED AND SOLD AT SUCH TIME OR TIMES, AT SUCH PRICES (AT, ABOVE OR BELOW PAR) AND IN SUCH MANNER AND CONTAINING SUCH OTHER TERMS, NOT INCONSISTENT HEREWITH, AS THE BOARD OF THE AUTHORITY MAY DETERMINE; AND SHALL THE REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES AND THE EARNINGS THEREON AND ON THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH BONDS BE A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE THAT THE AUTHORITY MAY COLLECT, RETAIN AND EXPEND WITHOUT LIMITATION UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION (TABOR), SECTION 29-1-301, C.R.S., OR ANY OTHER LAW?
Ballot Issue 7B: Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District - Operating Mill Levy
SHALL THE CARBONDALE AND RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $1.7 MILLION ANNUALLY (FOR COLLECTION IN CALENDAR YEAR 2019) AND BY SUCH ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED AT A RATE OF 4.569 MILLS (WHICH RATE INCLUDES THE EXTENDED MILL LEVY APPROVED BY THE ELECTORS IN 2017) IN ORDER TO MEET THE OPERATIONAL COSTS OF PROVIDING FIRE PROTECTION, MEDICAL, RESCUE AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES; AND SHALL THE REVENUE FROM THE OPERATING MILL LEVY CONSTITUTE A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION AND AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 29-1-301 OF THE COLORADO REVISED STATUTES?
Ballot Issue 7C: Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District General Obligation Bond
SHALL THE CARBONDALE AND RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT DEBT BE INCREASED UP TO $7.5 MILLION, WITH A MAXIMUM REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $15.1 MILLION, AND SHALL DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $720,000 ANNUALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCING THE COSTS OF,
- PURCHASING AND UPGRADING TEN FIREFIGHTING APPARATUS AND THREE AMBULANCES TO REPLACE AN AGING FLEET,
- CONSTRUCTING A MULTIFUNCTION TRAINING FACILITY TO IMPROVE RESPONSE CAPABILITY AND ENHANCE RESPONDER SAFETY,
- EXPANDING TWO FIRE STATIONS BY THE ADDITION OF APPARATUS BAYS TO PROPERLY HOUSE AND POSITION APPARATUS, AND
- CONSTRUCTING A MAINTENANCE FACILITY TO ENABLE THE DISTRICT TO PERFORM COMPREHENSIVE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT,
AND TO THE EXTENT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, EQUIPPING, IMPROVING AND ACQUIRING FIRE PROTECTION APPARATUS AND FACILITIES, SUCH DEBT TO CONSIST OF THE ISSUANCE AND PAYMENT OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, WHICH BONDS SHALL BEAR INTEREST AT A MAXIMUM NET EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE NOT TO EXCEED 5.5% PER ANNUM AND BE ISSUED AT SUCH TIMES AND PRICES (AT, ABOVE OR BELOW PAR) AND IN SUCH MANNER AND CONTAINING SUCH TERMS, NOT INCONSISTENT HEREWITH, AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MAY DETERMINE; SHALL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAXES BE LEVIED WITHOUT LIMIT AS TO THE MILL RATE TO GENERATE AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT IN EACH YEAR TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF, PREMIUM IF ANY, AND INTEREST ON SUCH DEBT AND TO FUND ANY RESERVES FOR THE PAYMENT THEREOF; AND SHALL ANY EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES AND BONDS CONSTITUTE A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE?
Ballot Issue 7D: Colorado Mountain College Local College District
WITHOUT RAISING ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUES IN THE YEAR IN WHICH THE MILL LEVY IS ADJUSTED AND IN ORDER TO ALLOW COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE TO MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE COLLEGE EDUCATION SUCH AS
• FIREFIGHTER, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING;
• NURSING AND HEALTH CARE EDUCATION;
• TEACHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR RURAL SCHOOLS; AND
• SKILLED TRADES AND WORKFORCE TRAINING;
SHALL THE COLLEGE’S LOCALLY ELECTED TRUSTEES HAVE AUTHORITY TO ADJUST THE COLLEGE’S MILL LEVY SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING REVENUES THAT WOULD BE LOST DUE TO STATEWIDE PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT RATE REDUCTIONS, SO LONG AS INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORTS ARE PUBLISHED ANNUALLY, AND SHALL THE REVENUES GENERATED BY ANY SUCH MILL LEVY INCREASE BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LIMITS PROVIDED BY LAW?
Ballot Issue 7F:
SHALL BASALT & RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $0.00 (ZERO DOLLARS) IN COLLECTION YEAR 2019; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT’S OPERATING MILL LEVY RATE OF 8.0 MILLS BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY TO OFFSET REVENUE LOSSES FROM REFUNDS, ABATEMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE LAW REGARDING, OR THE METHODS OF CALCULATING, THE RATIO OF VALUATION FOR ASSESSMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY, SO THAT TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, NOTWITHSTANDING SUCH REFUNDS, ABATEMENT AND CHANGES, THE DISTRICT’S NET TAX REVENUES SHALL REMAIN AS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY DISTRICT VOTERS, THE REVENUE THEREFROM TO PAY FOR THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL EXPENSES RELATED TO FIRE PROTECTION, AMBULANCE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND RESCUE SERVICES; AND SHALL ALL DISTRICT REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE LIMITS PROVIDED BY LAW?