Title
An Ordinance amending Article 6 (Trails, Open Space and Parks Program) of Chapter 4 (Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs as Amended, pertaining to the Trails, Open Space and Parks Program
Presenter:
Britt Haley, Director, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
Lonna Thelen, Program Manager, Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) Program
Body
Summary:
This item is an amendment to the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) code to implement the ballot question approved at the April 4, 2023 Municipal General Election to extend the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) sales and use tax for twenty (20) years and modify the program to allow revenue to be used on all city trails and open spaces and requiring a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the funds in the open space category to be used for acquisition of open space.
Background:
The TOPS program to date has acquired over 8,353 acres of open space and constructed more than 66 miles of trail. TOPS continues to be a valuable part of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department’s ability to provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the residents of Colorado Springs.
On April 4, 2023, the voters of Colorado Springs voted to approve the ballot question to extend the TOPS sales and use tax for twenty (20) years and modify the program for the purpose of allowing revenue to be used on all city trails and open spaces and requiring a minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of the open space funds category funds be used for acquisition of open space.
The TOPS Program is funded by 0.1% sales and use tax dedicated to trails, open space and parks. This tax was set to expire on December 31, 2025. It collects one (1) cent on every ten (10) dollars of taxable purchases in the City of Colorado Springs. It is dedicated to stewardship, acquisition, construction and maintenance of trails, open space, and parks. The TOPS Program has been in existence since 1997.
Previous Council Action:
N/A
Financial Implications:
The ordinance implements the approval of a ballot question that continues an existing sales and use tax for twenty (20) additional years. At the current rate of revenue of approximately thirteen (13) million dollars per year, the tax would generate at least $260M ($13M X 20 years) for trails, open space and parks.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
N/A
Stakeholder Process:
N/A
Alternatives:
The ordinance implements the approval of a ballot question adopted by voters April 4, 2023.
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
A motion to approve an Ordinance amending Article 6 (Trails, Open Space and Parks Program) of Chapter 4 (Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs as Amended, pertaining to the Trails, Open Space and Parks Program.
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance amending Article 6 (Trails, Open Space and Parks Program) of Chapter 4 (Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs as Amended, pertaining to the Trails, Open Space and Parks Program