Dear Members,
The Longmont Chamber board has recently taken positions on the three City ballot questions. The Chamber engages in a rather detailed and sometimes lengthy process to arrive at positions with discussion first taking place in the Public Policy Committee and then finally the Board of Directors. Both groups struggled with each question below as the community and economic impacts for our community could be very positive. For example, there are many studies showing the positive impact the performing arts have on a local economy.
However, we are in a difficult time for many of our business owners and residents. While the economy has certainly improved since the pandemic, many of our businesses and residents are hurting more now than during the pandemic due to labor shortages, rising rents, inflation, inventory challenges and more. Also, on the ballot this year is Proposition HH. With property taxes going up considerably which will impacts leases and rents, Proposition HH promises to lower property taxes, but it also reduces TABOR refunds over time. We of course, do not know yet how voters will decide on HH, giving yet still more unknowns for our businesses. Because of significant costs increases in many if not most areas of doing business, a suspected and large increase to property taxes (rents and leases also impacted) and the unknown outcome of Proposition HH, the Chamber is opposing the 3 ballot questions. We have heard from many of our businesses that now is a difficult time to further increase costs.
Ballot Issue 3C: Library Expansion
Read Ballot Issue 3C
SHALL CITY OF LONGMONT TAXES BE INCREASED $7,400,000 ANNUALLY IN THE FIRST FULL YEAR AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE GENERATED ANNUALLY IN EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR FROM A MILL LEVY OF NOT TO EXCEED 1 MILL (PROVIDED THAT SUCH MILL LEVY MAY BE ADJUSTED TO ACCOUNT FOR CHANGES IN THE METHOD BY WHICH ASSESSED VALUE IS DETERMINED) FOR NOT MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS BEGINNING WITH TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2024 TO FUND THE ACQUISITION OR CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BRANCH LIBRARY AND FROM AN ADDITIONAL CITY SALES AND USE TAX RATE OF .15% BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2024, TO FUND OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL CITY LIBRARIES, SHALL ORDINANCE O-2023-37 AUTHORIZING SUCH TAX INCREASES BE APPROVED, AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES AND INVESTMENT INCOME THEREON BE COLLECTED AND SPENT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
The importance of our library to our community cannot be overstated. The building is often the most visited city building in Longmont. However, after careful consideration, from our Board and Public Policy Committee members, the Chamber is opposed to 3C, which proposes an increase in property taxes and the city sales and use tax rate.
Our opposition to this ballot question stems from not the need for library expansion but our concern about the impact of rising property taxes, especially during uncertain times. While we acknowledge the value of investing in a new branch library and supporting the operation and maintenance of all city libraries, we believe that the current time is not the right time to place additional financial burdens on Longmont residents and businesses.
Ballot Issue 3D: Center for Arts & Entertainment
Read Ballot Issue 3D
SHALL CITY OF LONGMONT TAXES BE INCREASED $12,500,000 ANNUALLY IN THE FIRST FULL YEAR AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE GENERATED ANNUALLY IN EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR FROM A MILL LEVY OF NOT TO EXCEED 1.9 MILLS (PROVIDED THAT SUCH MILL LEVY MAY BE ADJUSTED TO ACCOUNT FOR CHANGES IN THE METHOD BY WHICH ASSESSED VALUE IS DETERMINED) FOR NOT MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS TO FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER PROVIDED THAT THE MILL LEVY WILL BE FIRST LEVIED BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR IN WHICH $35,000,000 IN PRIVATE FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE TO THE CITY, AND AN ADDITIONAL CITY SALES AND USE TAX RATE OF .09% TO FUND THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER PROVIDED THAT THE SALES AND USE TAX INCREASE SHALL TAKE EFFECT ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SIXTH MONTH PRIOR TO THE PROJECTED COMPLETION DATE OF THE ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CENTER, SHALL ORDINANCE O-2023-36 AUTHORIZING SUCH TAX INCREASES BE APPROVED, AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES AND INVESTMENT INCOME THEREON BE COLLECTED AND SPENT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHINÂ ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
The Chamber supports the inclusion of this ballot question and was vocal in asking City Council to vote in support of asking residents to vote on an Arts & Entertainment Center this fall. We firmly believe that the arts play a vital role in enriching our community and enhancing our quality of life. The arts not only provide cultural and recreational opportunities but also contribute to economic growth by attracting visitors and fostering a vibrant, creative atmosphere. We appreciate the provision of a 5-year runway to raise private dollars, which allows for thoughtful planning and coordination of resources as well as a time period for residents and business owners to prepare for tax increases. The proposal is good for business, as it promotes tourism, drives foot traffic to local establishments, and strengthens the local economy. However, these are uncertain times in our state and community in regards to property taxes, the outcome of Proposition HH and the general health of the economy. For these reasons, we oppose 3D.
Ballot Issue 3E: New Recreation Center
Read Ballot Issue 3E
SHALL CITY OF LONGMONT TAXES BE INCREASED $20,700,000 ANNUALLY IN THE FIRST FULL YEAR AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE GENERATED ANNUALLY IN EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR FROM A MILL LEVY OF NOT TO EXCEED 2.78 MILLS (PROVIDED THAT SUCH MILL LEVY MAY BE ADJUSTED TO ACCOUNT FOR CHANGES IN THE METHOD BY WHICH ASSESSED VALUE IS DETERMINED) FOR NOT MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS BEGINNING WITH TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2024 TO FUND RECREATION FACILITIES INCLUDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RECREATION CENTER AT DRY CREEK COMMUNITY PARK, A MILL LEVY OF NOT TO EXCEED 2 MILLS (PROVIDED THAT SUCH MILL LEVY MAY BE ADJUSTED TO ACCOUNT FOR CHANGES IN THE METHOD BY WHICH ASSESSED VALUE IS DETERMINED) FOR NOT MORE THAN THREE YEARS TO FUND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE YMCA THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RECREATION FACILITY (INCLUDING A POOL AND ICE RINK) AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROVIDED THAT THE TAX WILL NOT BE LEVIED UNTIL THE YMCA HAS RECEIVED A LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT AWARD, AND AN ADDITIONAL CITY SALES AND USE TAX RATE OF .11% BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, TO FUND THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE RECREATION CENTER AT DRY CREEK COMMUNITY PARK, SHALL THE CITY BE AUTHORIZED TO CONVEY THE PORTION OF CENTENNIAL PARK NEEDED TO CONSTRUCT THESE FACILITIES TO THE YMCA, SHALL ORDINANCE O-2023-39 AUTHORIZING SUCH TAX INCREASES BE APPROVED, AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES AND INVESTMENT INCOME THEREON BE COLLECTED AND SPENT WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?
The Longmont Chamber recognizes the importance of supporting recreation and community projects that enhance the quality of life for our residents. These projects have the potential to create vibrant spaces for families, encourage physical activity, and foster a sense of community belonging. We appreciate the efforts to invest in the development of recreational facilities, including the construction of a recreation center at Dry Creek Community Park and a partnership with the YMCA to build a recreation facility alongside affordable housing. The Chamber has long participated in and supported affordable and attainable housing for our local workforce.
Alongside our concern with the other ballot questions that seek to raise taxes during challenging economic times, we see the potential ramifications of the proposed tax increases associated with this question. on the business community. The proposal seeks to increase property taxes by $20,700,000 annually, with the possibility of additional amounts generated in subsequent years, for a period of up to twenty years. It also introduces an additional city sales and use tax rate of 0.11% starting from January 1, 2025. Due to property and sales tax increases, we oppose 3E.