Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.101-22RESOLUTION NO. 101 (Series of 2022) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, SUBMITTING TO THE ELECTORATE OF THE CITY OF ASPEN AT THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022, COORDINATED ELECTION A CERTAIN QUESTION EXTENDING THE CURRENT 0.5% SALES TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUYING, IMPROVING AND MAINTAINING TRAIL, RECREATIONAL AND OPEN SPACE PROPERTIES, AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES. WHEREAS, the City Council desires to place before the electorate of the City of Aspen certain ballot questions; and WHEREAS, the City Council is authorized pursuant to Section 5.7 of the Aspen City Charter to, on its own motion, submit questions to a vote of the electorate; and WHEREAS, the election provisions of Article X, Section 20(3) of the Colorado Constitution requires that certain financial ballot issues be decided only in a state general election, biennial local election, or on the first Tuesday in November of odd numbered years; and WHEREAS, on November 4 h 2000, the Aspen voters approved Referendum 2B authorizing the City to collect a 0.5% Open Space Sales Tax; and WHEREAS, the 0.5% Sales Tax is commonly referred to as the Half Cent sales tax; and WHEREAS, the Half Cent Sales Tax has contributed to the construction of key City Parks and Recreation amenities such as the Aspen Recreation Center, Iselin and Rotary Ballfields, the Upper and Lower Moore Ballfields, the Aspen Golf Course Clubhouse and Nordic Center, John Denver Sanctuary, and many other park improvements; and, WHEREAS, the Half Cent sales tax has supported the acquisition of Smuggler Mountain Open Space, Sky Mountain Park, and other open space parcels around Aspen; and WHEREAS, the IIalf Cent sales tax has been instrumental in the development of the City's broad multi -use trail network that aids citizen and visitors with safe and efficient alternative transportation, including the AABC Trail, the Cemetery Lane Trail, the Highlands Trail, the Terral/Wade Bridge and the East of Aspen Trail; and WHEREAS, the maintenance and upkeep of the City's parks and playgrounds are funded in part by the Half Cent sales tax; and WHEREAS, the potential elimination of the Half Cent sales tax would result in a 1/3 reduction in the Parks Fund budget, which would affect the ability of the Parks and Open Space program to maintain a high-level standard or to acquire open space parcels in the future. Whereas, Parks, Trails, Recreation, and Open Space are foundational to the environment and quality of life in Aspen; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO, THAT: Section 1. The following question shall be submitted to the electorate at the November 8, 2022, special municipal election: CITY OF ASPEN — EXTENSION OF EXISTING 0.5% SALES TAX FOR PARKS AND OPEN SPACE. SHALL THE CITY OF ASPEN'S EXISTING 0.5% SALES TAX FOR THE PURPOSE OF BUYING, IMPROVING AND MAINTAINING TRAIL, RECREATIONAL AND OPEN SPACE PROPERTIES, AND ANCILLARY FACILITIES, WHICH IS SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2025, BE EXTENDED IN PERPETUITY; AND SHALL THE REVENUES FROM SUCH SALES TAXES AND THE EARNINGS THEREON BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT AS A VOTER -APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT LIMITATION UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION (TABOR) OR ANY OTHER LAW? YES NO 2 Vqy INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen on the of , 2022. Torre, Mayor I, Nicole Henning, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the foregoing is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held on the day hereinabove stated. 4 • Nicole Henning, City Clerk