HomeMy WebLinkAboutminutes.council.19640813 Aspen, Colorado HEARING ON PROPOSED SALES TAX ORDINANCE NO. 13, Series 1964 - August 13,1964
A hearing on Ordinance No. 13, Series 1964 - providing for a Sales and Use Tax
in the City of Aspen - was held in the Pitkin County Courthouse- District Courtroom, HEARING
"MayOr PabSt Opened the hearing at 8:14 P. M. Aspen Daylig~ht Time. - Present
were Councilmen Barnard and Stapleton, City Attorney Balcomb and City Administrator
Kerri~an, City Treasurer Lum.
The Mayor referred'to the sales tax ordinance - he said purposes of the tax
are: 1 - to reduce the mill levy;
2 - or to reduce electric and water rates and leave the mill levy as it ORD. 13,
is; 1964
3 - or to keep part of it for future developments, land acquisition for
parking lots and other requirements;
~ - to meet requirements of present or relocated dump. SALES TAX
Mayor Pabst said there is a question of legality of the sales tax - as Aspen
is a second class city - that it could be tested by passing the ordinance and
having someone contest it.
CouncilmanStapleton referred to a survey made by a business bureau, which
indicated that Aspen could realize an estimated tax of $70,000.
, Present and participating in the general discussion of the ordinance were :
Tom Sardy Joe Burgert Bill Dunaway
Clyde Clymer Leo Rowland Hans Gramiger
Dorothy Kelleher
and others who did not give their names.
Discussidn covered -
Needs of City for additional revenue.
Whether such funds may be earmarked for specific purpose.
Parking meters.
Cost of administration and method of collection.
That liquor Would not be taxed under this ordinance.
That such tax might resul~ in people leaving Aspen to shop.
That purpose of tax is to reduce the a~alorem tax.
Deliver4&s outside the City.
Difficulties in collecting "use" tax.
Legality of tax.
Mr. Kerrigan referred to the fact that 11 cities in Colorado have a one per-
cent sales tax - but Aspen is the only second-class city to adopt a sales tax.
He said representatives of the cities having the tax indicated that initial op-
position had been overcome, and that the cities were benefiting from the tax.
No one expressed positive opposition to the sales tax ordinance.
The hearing was adjourned at 9:00 PM, upon motion by Councilman Stapleton,
seconded by Councilman Barna~d, and carried.