Title
A resolution submitting to the registered qualified electors of the City of Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the general municipal election conducted by mail ballot to be held on Tuesday, April 4, 2023, the question of extending the sales and use tax for Trails, Open Space and Parks ("TOPS") program and modifying the program for the purpose of allowing revenue to be used on all city trails and open spaces and requiring seventy-five percent (75%) of open space funds be used for acquisition of open space, providing for the form of the ballot title and text, providing for certain matters with respect to the election, and providing the effective date of this resolution
Presenter:
Britt Haley, Director- Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
Body
Summary:
This item presents a ballot question developed for City Council consideration for referral to the April 4, 2023 General Municipal Election reflecting work the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department and its associated advisory boards have done with the Mayor, City Council, and citizens groups to prepare for a ballot initiative that would extend and modify the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) sales and use tax. The measure proposes an extension of the program for twenty (20) years, provides a concise question and aligns the expenditure flexibility in the trails and open space categories with the flexibility that voters approved for the parks category in 2013. After public comment, and to gain consensus on support for the sales tax extension, an additional clause was included to require a minimum of seventy five percent (75%) of the funding designated for open space be utilized for new open space acquisition.
Background:
The TOPS Program is funded by 0.1% sales and use tax dedicated to trails, open space and parks. This tax is currently in effect until December 31, 2025 and it collects one (1) cent on every ten (10) dollars of taxable purchases in the City of Colorado Spri...
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