HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.130-24SOLUTION #130
(Series of 2024)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, IN SUPPORT OF PITKIN COUNTY BALLOT MEASURE lA,
AUTHORIZING AN ANNUAL AD VALOREM AFFORDABLE AND
WORKFORCE HOUSING PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY THAT WILL
APPEAR ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT
WHEREAS, Pitkin County ballot question 1 A: Affordable and Workforce Housing
Mill Levy, will be on the November 5, 2024 ballot submitting to the registered electors of
the County of Pitkin, State of Colorado an ad valorem property tax mill levy proposal
imposed at a rate of 1.5 mills for not more than twenty-five (25) years for the purposes of
funding affordable and attainable housing; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County ballot measure lA language aligns with the City of
Aspen's adopted Policy Agenda goals and priorities of Affordable Housing and
Regionalism, and coincides with our focus on the provision of quality affordable housing
to ensure the continued viability of the community; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County ballot measure 1 A further achieves Pitkin County and the
City of Aspen's vision to act upon their strategic plan to be a healthy, safe, vibrant and
sustainable community including fulfilling the essential component of housing for
individuals, families, seniors, and workforce; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County ballot measure IA will synchronize with recent Public
Satisfaction Surveys conducted by Pitkin County of which over 50% of respondents
identified affordable housing as their highest priority for the County; and
WHEREAS, individuals and families who serve the local community by working for
local businesses or organizations cannot afford to own a free market home in Pitkin County
and most cannot afford free market rental rates because incomes and wages have not
increased at the same rate as housing costs. In 2022 only 9% of home sales in the Roaring
Fork Valley were affordable to a household at median wage. This is down from 237o in
2015, and in 2024 this percentage is likely to drop even lower with only deed restricted
units available at affordable price points; and
WHEREAS, to respond to community needs and significantly impact the housing crisis
Pitkin County, with the City of Aspen, must provide housing that is affordable, accessible,
attainable and available; offering alternative housing options, both rental and ownership, to
what is available on the free market; and
WHEREAS, to support housing acquisition, construction, conservation and conversion,
Pitkin County requires a sustainable and reliable funding stream that can support both
immediate project investment as well as long term debt financing; and
WHEREAS, Pitkin County's current dedicated funding for housing is insufficient and
too elastic to support the long term investment that is needed in housing, making a new reliable
funding stream a critical component of future success; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds that the measure thoughtfully endeavors to raise revenue
($8,543,345.97 annually in the first fiscal year) that will be dedicated to prioritizing housing
for critical community service workers, including but not limited to emergency response,
transit, road and bridge, healthcare, adult and child welfare, teaching and childcare; and
WHEREAS, City Council supports the County's goal to construct new rental and
ownership housing by partnering with nonprofits, governmental entities, local businesses,
housing trusts and private organizations, and
WHEREAS, City Council supports the conversion of free market units into permanent
deed restricted housing through buy down programs; and
WHEREAS, City Council finds that dedicating a portion of the revenue towards capital
reserve maintenance and preservation of our existing housing inventory, helps to fill a crucial
gap in funding towards maintaining the health and safety of our current housing supply; and
WHEREAS, City Council supports the county's desire to protect its rural character by
prioritizing housing in areas consistent with existing employment, services, and facilities; and
WHEREAS, City Council supports the BOCC's commitment to supporting the missing
middle and their ability to remain in their housing and to exploring opportunities to implement
a property tax incentive program to address housing as an area of concern.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Aspen
declares its support for Pitkin County ballot question 1 A: Authorizing an Annual Ad Valorem Property
Tax Mill Levy Imposed at a Rate %J 1.5 Mills for Not More Than Twenty Five Years for the Purposes
of Funding Affordable and Attainable Housing and for the reasons set forth in this Resolution urges
a YES vote on the election to be held November 5, 2024.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Aspen
on the 8 to day of October 2024,
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 he City Council of
Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held Octob , f 24.
•
Nicole Henning,
Clerk