Boulder County has three tax questions on the ballot for November of 2022. They are listed below, in addition to the Longmont Area Chamber of Commerce’s stance on each proposal.
Wildfire Mitigation Ballot Measure
A proposal to establish a 0.1% countywide sales and use tax for the purpose of funding countywide wildfire mitigation efforts to proactively address the increasing risk of climate-driven wildfires in two programmatic areas. The first is to conduct strategic forest and grassland management projects (using Fireshed partnerships) to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, protect water supplies and create more resilient forest and grassland ecosystems. The second is to help residents in the mountains and plains prepare for wildfires by making homes more fire resistant using community partnerships, individual technical assistance, and rebates through programs like Wildfire Partners.
Our Position: Support
Emergency Response Ballot Measure
A proposal to establish a 0.1%, declining to 0.05% after five years, countywide sales and use tax for the purpose of funding emergency response, including: facility, equipment, capital, and operational costs of search and rescue organizations; funding for the capital needs of fire departments in mountainous and rural areas; ambulance services in areas not covered by municipal ambulance services; wildland firefighting staffing; and other projects and services to address the need for emergency services and public safety in unincorporated Boulder County.
Our Position: Support
Transportation Ballot Measure
A proposal to extend the existing 0.1% countywide transportation sales and use tax for the purpose of continuing to fund multimodal transportation needs, including safety improvements to roads, regional trails and commuter bikeways, transit, regional corridors, and community mobility programs. The county’s Transportation Master Plan (TMP) provides a blueprint for Boulder County’s transportation system improvements for the next 25 years, including projects, programs and services throughout the county and to serve people using all modes of travel. Learn more about the existing Boulder County Transportation Sales Tax.
Our Position: Oppose as written. The Chamber appreciates the work that the County does in the transportation arena. Transportation is one of our core areas of focus. However, the lack of a sunset clause, thus allowing the tax to be levied in perpetuity, was not favored by the majority. Due to the fact that the current tax does not expire until 2024, we look forward to working with the County, on a revised ballot initiative that takes this into consideration, should the current question fail. The Chamber supports transportation and transportation funding. However, the Longmont Chamber does not support the proposed tax extension as written.