HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018 General Election Eagle County TABOR NoticeTO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS Notice of Election to Increase Taxes on a Referred Measure TOWN OF MINTURN - EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number: Town of Minturn Jay Brunvand, Town Clerk/Treasurer 302 Pine St / P.O. Box 309 Minturn, CO 81645 Telephone: (970) 827-5645 Ext 1 BALLOT ISSUE 2A SHALL THE TOWN OF MINTURN'S TAXES BE INCREASED BY $500,000 IN FISCAL YEAR 2019 AND BY WHATEVER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF A USE TAX ON THE PRIVILEGE OF STORING, USING AND/OR CONSUMING IN THE TOWN OF MINTURN ANY CONSTRUCTION AND/OR BUILDING MATERIALS PURCHASED AT RETAIL INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE TOWN, AT THE RATE OF FOUR PERCENT (4%) OF THE RETAIL COST OF SUCH MATERIALS AND SHALL THE TOWN BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT AND SPEND SUCH REVENUES, INCLUDING ANY INTEREST AND INVESTMENT INCOME THEREON, EXCLUSIVELY FOR CAPITAL ACQUISITIONS AND CAPITAL PROJECTS IN THE TOWN OF MINTURN AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE OR EXPENDITURE LIMITATION, INCLUDING THOSE CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION? Total Town Fiscal Year Spending Fiscal Year 2018 (estimated) $ 1,961,759 2017 (actual) $ 1,814,294 2016 (actual) $ 1,770,089 2015 (actual) $ 1,679,506 2014 (actual) $ 1,677,858 Overall percentage change from 2014 to 2018 14.47% Overall dollar change from 2014 to 2018 $283,901 Proposed Tax Increase Town Estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase For Fiscal Year 2019 (the First Full Fiscal Year of the Proposed Tax Increases): BALLOT ISSUE NO. 2A: $500,000 Town Estimate of 2019 Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increases : $2,072,822 Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue No. 2A: A use tax simply applies a tax where construction material is used, rather than where it is purchased. Just as when you buy your car, you pay taxes where you live, not where you buy your car. So this construction use tax proposed for Minturn, will be paid to the Town of Minturn, instead of to another town in the form of sales tax. The construction use tax matches Minturn’s current sales tax rate, and no other local jurisdiction may charge sales tax for the same material. For example, if a contractor uses building materials in Minturn but purchases them in Avon, they will pay Minturn’s construction use tax but will not pay Avon’s sales tax. The construction use tax does not apply to the first $10,000 of project value, so smaller projects will not be impacted, and larger projects are only impacted for values over $10,001. For example, if the project value is $30,000, only $20,000 of that project is subject to the use tax. Minturn’s great need for capital funding is apparent in our potholed streets, our crumbling (or nonexistent!) sidewalks, our lack of recreational spaces, and our aging bridges and buildings. Revenues from the construction use tax may only be used by the town on such capital needs, which have been underfunded and neglected for far too long. Though growth has caused maintenance costs to rise in Minturn, other communities receive the sales tax revenues from the materials that fuel our growth. Over half of Colorado’s communities has passed construction use taxes, and with passage of XX, Minturn woul d be joining towns like Vail, Eagle, Gypsum, Red Cliff, Denver, and Glenwood Springs, who already have a construction use tax to help them pay for the critical infrastructure essential to a vibrant community. Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue No. 2A: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline. TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS TOWN OF AVON EAGLE COUNTY, COLORADO NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON REFERRED MEASURE Election Date: November 6, 2018 Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Designated Election Official: Debbie Hoppe, Town Clerk 1 Lake Street Avon, CO 81620 (970) 748-4001 BALLOT TITLE AND TEXT: Ballot Issue 2B - Tax Increase on the Sale of Tobacco and Nicotine Products 1 SHALL TOWN TAXES BE INCREASED BY UP TO $600,000 IN 2019 AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS MAY BE GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY THE IMPOSITION OF NEW TAXES AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019, THERE SHALL BE A NEW TAX OF FIFTEEN CENTS PER CIGARETTE OR THREE DOLLARS PER PACK OF TWENTY CIGARETTES SOLD; BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2019, THERE SHALL BE A NEW SALES TAX OF 40% ON THE SALES PRICE OF ALL OTHER TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS; THE TERMS “CIGARETTES” AND “TOBACCO PRODUCTS” HAVE THE SAME MEANINGS AS IN SECTION 5.10.030 OF THE AVON MUNICIPAL CODE; AND THAT THE TOWN MAY COLLECT, RETAIN AND EXPEND ALL OF THE REVENUES OF SUCH TAXES AND THE EARNINGS THEREON, NOTWITHSTANDING THE LIMITATION OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW? FISCAL INFORMATION Actual Histories and Current Estimated Fiscal Year Spending Year Fiscal Year Spending 2018 (estimated) $23,254,763 2017 (actual) $22,766,202 2016 (actual) $21,645,651 2015 (actual) $16,670,436 2014 (actual) $20,480,251 Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2014 to 2018: 11.9% Overall dollar change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2014 through 2018: $2,774,512 Proposed Tax Increase Town estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase for Fiscal Year 2019 (the First Full Year of the Proposed Tax Increase): $600,000. Town estimate of 2019 Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increase: $21,636,634 SUMMARY OF COMMENTS FOR THE ISSUE: Tobacco and nicotine addiction is a leading cause of preventable death, people should be deterred from starting the use of tobacco and nicotine products and encouraged to quit the use of tobacco and nicotine products, and taxes on the sale of tobacco and nicotine products are effective at preventing and reducing tobacco and nicotine use. SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AGAINST THE ISSUE: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline. TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS NOTICE OF ELECTION ON A REFERRED MEASURE Greater Eagle Fire Protection District Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number: Jennifer Thompson DEO 1089 JW Drive Carbondale, CO 81723 970-704-0675 Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 6A - A MEASURE TO AUTHORIZE A MILL LEVY RATE ADJUSTMENT SHALL GREATER EAGLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED TWO HUNDRED AND TWENTY THOUSAND [$220,000] DOLLARS, OR BY SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE RAISED BY AN ADDITIONAL MILL LEVY RATE OF ONE MILLS; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT’S TOTAL MILL LEVY RATE OF ELEVEN MILLS BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY, TO OFFSET REVENUE LOSSES FROM REFUNDS, ABATEMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE LAW REGARDING, OR THE METHODS OF CALCULATING, THE RATIO OF VALUATION FOR ASSESSMENT; AND SHALL ALL DISTRICT REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED, AND SPENT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE LIMITS PROVIDED BY LAW? Total District Fiscal Year Spending: 2018 (estimated) $2,667,147 2017 (actual) $2,512,240 2016 (actual) $2,124,376 2015 (actual) $1,924,618 2014 (actual) $ 1,977,112 Overall percentage change from 2014 to 2018: 34.90% Overall dollar change from 2014 to 2018: $690,035 Proposed District Tax Increase: Estimated first full fiscal year maximum dollar amount of increase: $220,000 Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the increase: $2,800,000 Summary of Written Comments For the Proposal: A “YES” vote on issue 6A would allow the Greater Eagle Fire Protection District to avoid looming cuts to emergency staff created by the State’s Gallagher Amendment funding formula. It would also 2 provide a more reliable source of funding for fire and emergency medical service in the Greater Eagle Fire Protection District. This is important because: 1. Approving 6A will prevent cuts to firefighter/EMTs at a time when the Eagle area is facing an increasing number of emergency calls as it grows. Public Safety is of paramount importance. 2. Voting “YES” will allow the local District to continue to responsibly manage its own funding and remove the funding constraints imposed by the State’s Gallagher Amendment. The District has operated within its budget but new reductions in the amount of money the District receives will require firefighter cuts, a decline in service levels and continued challenges to meeting the safety needs of a growing area. 3. Voting “YES” on 6A will add $36 annually to the cost of a home valued at $500,000 and will create $220,000 in funding, allowing the District to keep pace with the growth of the area and its service demands. It will also allow the District to replace aging firefighting and other apparatus. It will have the added benefit of removing the constraints the Gallagher Amendment imposes on the District. 4. Because of the Gallagher Amendment, the GEFPD’s funding is not adequate for the District to keep pace with the increasing cost of operating. 5. The drought conditions affecting western Colorado and significantly heightened wildfire risks facing the District highlight the need to maintain critical resources and personnel. Summary of Written Comments Against the Proposal: “No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.” ALL REGISTERED VOTERS ROARING FORK TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY GLENWOOD SPRINGS, COLORADO NOTICE TO INCREASE TAXES AND TO INCREASE DEBT ON A REFERRED MEASURE Election date: November 6, 2018 Election hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Election by Mail Ballot Deadline for receipt of ballots: November 6, 2018, 7:00 p.m. Local election office address and phone number: Designated Election Official, Nicole Schoon, 970-348-4974 2307 Wulfsohn Road Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Ballot title and text: Ballot Issue 7A: Property Tax Mill Levy Increase SHALL ROARING FORK TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $9.5 MILLION ANNUALLY (FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR DOLLAR INCREASE, FOR COLLECTION IN 2019) AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS ARE GENERATED IN FUTURE FISCAL YEARS FROM AN AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY IMPOSED AT A RATE OF 2.65 MILLS, AND SHALL AUTHORITY DEBT BE INCREASED UP TO $74.675 MILLION, WITH A MAXIMUM REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $145.744 MILLION, FOR PURPOSES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: • BUS RAPID TRANSIT AND LOCAL BUS SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS TO REDUCE CONGESTION ALONG HIGHWAY 82; • MOBILITY ENHANCEMENTS FOR PEDESTRIANS, BICYCLIST AND TRANSIT USERS; • CONSTRUCTION OF THE LOWER VALLEY TRAIL; • IMPROVED ACCESS AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE RIO GRANDE TRAIL; • CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PARK AND RIDES, BUS STOPS AND OTHER TRANSIT AND TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES; • PURCHASE OF NEW BUSES, INCLUDING ELECTRIFICATION OF BUSES FOR EMISSION AND NOISE REDUCTIONS; SUCH DEBT TO BE INCURRED BY THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS PAYABLE FROM THE REVENUES OF SUCH TAX AND, TO THE EXTENT MONEYS FROM SUCH TAX ARE NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THE REPAYMENT OF SUCH BONDS, FROM ANY OTHER LEGALLY AVAILABLE REVENUES OF THE AUTHORITY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, AUTHORITY SALES AND USE TAXES, VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES, FARE REVENUES, TAXES AND OTHER MONEYS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH PITKIN COUNTY, EAGLE COUNTY, OR ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE AUTHORITY, SERVICE CONTRACT REVENUES, AND STATE OR FEDERAL GRANTS; WHICH BONDS SHALL BEAR INTEREST, MATURE, BE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, WITH OR WITHOUT PREMIUM, AND BE ISSUED, DATED AND SOLD AT SUCH TIME OR TIMES, AT SUCH PRICES (AT, ABOVE OR BELOW PAR) AND IN SUCH MANNER AND CONTAINING SUCH OTHER TERMS, NOT INCONSISTENT HEREWITH, AS THE BOARD OF THE AUTHORITY MAY DETERMINE; AND SHALL THE REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES AND THE EARNINGS THEREON AND ON THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH BONDS BE A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE THAT THE AUTHORITY MAY COLLECT, RETAIN AND EXPEND WITHOUT LIMITATION UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION (TABOR), SECTION 29-1-301, C.R.S., OR ANY OTHER LAW? Actual historical and current estimated fiscal year spending information: Fiscal Year Spending 2018 (estimated) $42,950,630 3 2017 (actual) $41,077,549 2016 (actual) $45,310,527 2015 (actual) $45,298,438 2014 (actual) $34,504,635 Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending over the 5 year period from 2014 through 2018: 24.5% Overall dollar change to fiscal year spending over the 5 year period from 2014 through 2018: $8,445,995 Estimated first full fiscal year maximum dollar amount of increase for Ballot Issue 7A: $9,500,000 Estimated 2019 fiscal year spending without proposed tax increase: $50,262,659 Information regarding bonded debt proposed by Ballot Issue 7A: Principal amount: $74,675,000 Maximum annual repayment cost: $6,500,000 Maximum total repayment cost: $145,744,000 Information regarding current bonded debt: Principal amount: $31,300,000 Maximum annual repayment cost: $3,108,171 Maximum total Repayment cost: $54,155,435 Summaries of written comments filed with the Designated Election Official: The following summaries were prepared from comments filed by persons FOR Ballot Issue 7A: Issue 7A will allow the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority (RFTA) to meet the traffic, mobility and environmental challenges facing the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys. RFTA transports more than 5 million passengers per year, taking thousands of cars per day off the region's highways. Issue 7A provides revenues needed to help reduce congestion over the next 20 years. Funds will be used to replace aging buses, increase local and BRT service year-round, maintain and build new trails, expand bike sharing, make pedestrian safety improvements, and expand park-and-rides. RFTA is an indispensable service. If it cannot meet current and future demand, our roads will become increasingly clogged. Traffic is forecast to increase by 40 percent in El Jebel and 34 percent in Glenwood Springs within 20 years. Passage of 7A will help address congestion resulting from population which is forecast to increase by 65 percent in Eagle and Garfield Counties by 2050. CDOT does not have the financial ability to build more lanes. Our environment will be negatively affected if more people are forced to drive instead of taking transit. About 65 percent of bus riders use RFTA to commute to work. Employers and employees depend on RFTA, which helps to support the regional economy. Glenwood Springs and Aspen import 65 percent or more of their workers. Approximately 288 buses need to be replaced over 30 years, including 29 electric buses that will cut noise and pollution. 7A will fund the following transportation improvements to reduce congestion and improve mobility: • Local service every 30 minutes between Aspen and Glenwood Springs after 8:15 pm daily, winter and summer, and weekdays spring and fall • Grand Hogback service to New Castle every 30 minutes during most of the day • BRT service to downtown Glenwood Springs, and on weekends during off- seasons • 15-minute connections to Snowmass Village • Contribution to the LOVA Trail to New Castle • Maintenance of the Rio Grande Trail Safety improvements: • Upgrades at four bus stops from Aspen Village to Catherine Store • Improved pedestrian crossings at Buttermilk and 27th Street in Glenwood Springs • Park-and-ride expansions at Willits and Glenwood's 27th Street Station RFTA has never sought a property tax before. Operations are currently funded by sales taxes, fares, grants, and service contracts. A sales tax increase is not an option because some jurisdictions are at the maximum allowed by law. A lodging tax was not feasible across RFTA's many jurisdictions, and a fare increase would not provide adequate funding, while likely reducing ridership. If 7A does not pass, RFTA service will need to be cut by 20 percent in order to replace obsolete buses. Roadways will become more congested and future improvements will be limited. 7A will allow RFTA to continue reducing traffic congestion and help to maintain our strong regional economy and mountain quality of life. Please be sure to Vote Yes on Ballot Issue 7A. The following summaries were prepared from comments filed by persons AGAINST Ballot Issue 7A: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline. TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS Notice of Election To Increase Taxes on a Referred Measure COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE LOCAL COLLEGE DISTRICT Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number: Designated Election Official: Debbie Novak Colorado Mountain College 802 Grand Avenue Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 4 Telephone: 970-947-8365 Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 7D WITHOUT RAISING ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUES IN THE YEAR IN WHICH THE MILL LEVY IS ADJUSTED AND IN ORDER TO ALLOW COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE TO MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE COLLEGE EDUCATION SUCH AS • FIREFIGHTER, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING; • NURSING AND HEALTH CARE EDUCATION; • TEACHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR RURAL SCHOOLS; AND • SKILLED TRADES AND WORKFORCE TRAINING; SHALL THE COLLEGE’S LOCALLY ELECTED TRUSTEES HAVE AUTHORITY TO ADJUST THE COLLEGE’S MILL LEVY SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF MAINTAINING REVENUES THAT WOULD BE LOST DUE TO STATEWIDE PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENT RATE REDUCTIONS, SO LONG AS INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED FINANCIAL REPORTS ARE PUBLISHED ANNUALLY, AND SHALL THE REVENUES GENERATED BY ANY SUCH MILL LEVY INCREASE BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT NOTWITHSTANDI NG ANY LIMITS PROVIDED BY LAW? Total District Fiscal Year Spending Fiscal Year 2018-2019 (estimated) $83,795,568 2017-2018 (actual) $79,178,223 2016-2017 (actual) $76,899,184 2015-2016 (actual) $80,681,999 2014-2015 (actual) $73,816,844 Overall percentage change from 2014-2015 to 2018-2019 13.5% Overall dollar change from 2014-2015 to 2018-2019 $9,978,724 Proposed Tax Increase District Estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase For Fiscal Year 2019-2020* (the First Full Fiscal Year of the Proposed Tax Increase): $3,830,000 District Estimate of 2019-2022† Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increase: $92,175,125 Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue No. 7D: * If the ballot issue is approved, the District may raise the mill levy in the 2020 collection year and thereafter to offset reductions in the ratio used to determine the assessed valuation of residential property. It is intended that any increase in the mill levy will be revenue neutral to the District in the year in which the mill levy is increased. • CMC Ballot Measure 7D would not raise new tax revenues for the college. Instead, it keeps those revenues at the same levels, protecting CMC services from Denver’s increasing property values. • 7D protects critical services provided by Colorado Mountain College to our communities. These services include affordable education for firefighters, law enforcement and first responders, nursing and health care workers, teachers and local school training, and skilled trades and workforce training. • CMC Ballot Question 7D is a local solution to protect us from a statewide problem. Our businesses and economy will have qualified workers, locally educated, to serve our mountain communities. • CMC operates on a sensible and affordable revenue and expense model with an efficiency that is remarkable and should be continued. • This is not a tax increase for CMC but foregoing a tax decrease to protect an asset and keep CMC affordable. It is not much money to the taxpayer but the impact on CMC’s low overhead low cost higher education is significant. • Without 7D, Denver population growth and skyrocketing property values threaten the college’s ability to continue its work. • Measure 7D seeks to adjust the mill levy to offset the expected losses due to Gallagher adjustments. • In 2017, Gallagher caused over $2,700,000 revenue reduction to CMC. Budget adjustments and tuition increases already have been made to adjust to the loss of revenue. • The mill levy can only be adjusted for this reason and only for the amount needed to recover the lost tax revenues. 7D is not a blank check and does not raise new tax revenues for the college. CMC has not requested a mill levy increase for decades, and uses budget management and long-term savings to pay for needed campus updates. • Gallagher artificially lowers our residential tax assessment levels when property taxes are out of balance due to growth in Denver. There is a lot of available information and publicity about the damage to local services caused by this statewide constitutional language. Gallagher will cause critical local services to shrink because of Denver area growth. • In 2016, for every $100,000 in property value owned by residential taxpayers, $32 in property taxes were paid in order to fund critical rural educational services. • Audited financial statements will be published annually so that the public can review CMC operations paid for by property tax. • CMC maintains one of the lowest tuition rates in the state and has one of the least expensive bachelor's degree programs in the nation. • The guy driving the ambulance that passed me today may well have attended CMC, so might the nurse at the hospital or the peace officer who took the accident report. I know several Steamboat High students who have saved big bucks and † Since mill levy increases may occur in more than one year in the future, this good faith estimate is for fiscal year spending in 2020. It is difficult for the District to estimate fiscal year spending for any year beyond 2020 in which the mill levy may be increased. 5 precious time getting college credit at CMC before graduating twelfth grade. • A yes vote will benefit 6 rural counties. In most of the district CMC is the largest employer and a hub for both higher education and critically needed teacher, nursing and firefighter training. Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue No. 7D: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline. TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS NOTICE OF ELECTION ON A REFERRED MEASURE Gypsum Fire Protection District Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number: 511 Second Street, P.O. Box 243, Gypsum, Colorado 81637 Telephone:970-524-7101 Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 7E SHALL GYPSUM FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $0.00 IN COLLECTION YEAR 2019; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT’S OPERATING MILL LEVY RATE OF 10.48 MILLS BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY SO THAT TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE THE DISTRICT’S NET TAX REVENUES SHALL REMAIN AS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY DISTRICT VOTERS AND SHALL NOT BE REDUCED BECAUSE OF REFUNDS, ABATEMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE RATIO OF VALUATION FOR ASSESSMENT; AND SHALL ALL DISTRICT REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE LIMITS PROVIDED BY LAW? Total District Fiscal Year Spending: 2018 (estimated) $1,549,398 2017 (actual) $1,708,961 2016 (actual) $1,005,997 2015 (actual) $ 850,702 2014 (actual) $ 841,584 Overall percentage change from 2014 to 2018: 84% Overall dollar change from 2014 to 2018: $707,814 Proposed District Tax Increase: Estimated first full fiscal year (2019) maximum dollar amount of increase: $0 Estimated first full fiscal year (2019) spending without the increase: $1,550,000 Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue 7E: YES ON 7E—Gypsum Fire Protection District’s Gallagher Amendment Fix. Gypsum Fire Protection District (GFPD) is not asking for more money, but to simply keep what has already been approved by the voters. In 2016, GFPD’s electors voted YES on Ballot Issue A, increasing the mill levy to 10.48. This increase was badly needed to hire personnel, repair, and replace equipment. This mill levy was calculated to bring GFPD back to sustainable levels. It was calculated to account for growth, dependent on future assessed valuations. The growth has occurred, but Gallagher will effectively erase what was done in 2016. In two years, GFPD has done as they promised and used the tax revenue to perform critical maintenance on trucks, and hire paid staff in order to maintain minimum two-person coverage of the District 24/7. However, due to the Gallagher Amendment, in 2018 GFPD lost $75,000 of its funding. If this ballot measure does not pass, GFPD will potentially lose up to $206,000 every year, effectively ERASING the mill levy increase approved in 2016, and putting GFPD back in the same situation it faced in 2016, or worse. Fire Chiefs from Districts across the state have worked together to make state legislators aware of the devastating effect the Gallagher Amendment is having on special districts such as GFPD. The legislators are the only group that can make a permanent change to the Gallagher Amendment. The legislators acknowledge the detrimental impacts on the Fire Districts, but are unwilling to change the Amendment and say it must be fixed at the local level. It falls upon individual Districts to “fix” their situation themselves, which they cannot do without approval of the voters. A YES vote on 7E will allow GFPD to maintain the level of funding voters already approved in 2016, regardless of the changes that Gallagher would make every two years. A YES VOTE ON 7E: • Is NOT an additional tax increase • Will allow GFPD to maintain the level of funding already approved • Will protect GFPD from drastic losses in tax revenue due to the Gallagher Amendment • Will stabilize the amount GFPD collects regardless of fluctuations due to Gallagher • For more information on how the Gallagher Amendment adversely affects GFPD, go to www.needgfpd.com/gallagher-amendment Proudly serving since 1903, GFPD covers 455 square miles, from the Town of Gypsum east to the Eagle County Airport and parts of Buckhorn Valley, south to LEDE Reservoir and beyond, west to Hanging Lake Tunnel, Sweetwater, Deep Creek Road and Coffee Pot Road, and north to Catamount Creek on Colorado River Road. This includes the neighborhoods of Old Town Gypsum, Chatfield Corners, Brightwater, Cotton Ranch, Red Hill, Hardscrabble Ranch, High Chaparral Ranch, Stratton Flats, Eagle River Estates, Gypsum Estates, Willowstone, Dotsero, and Two Rivers Village, as well as I-70 from mile marker 143 to mile marker 125.8 and Highway 6 from mile marker 145 west to Dotsero. 6 For Ballot Issue 7E, vote YES—for your family, your home, and your community. For more information visit https://needGFPD.com/gallagher Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue 7E: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline. TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS Notice of Election to Increase Debt on a Referred Measure Basalt & Rural Fire Protection District Eagle and Pitkin Counties, Colorado Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number: Jennifer Thompson DEO 1089 JW Drive Carbondale, CO 81723 970-704-0675 Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 7F SHALL BASALT & RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $0.00 (ZERO DOLLARS) IN COLLECTION YEAR 2019; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT’S OPERATING MILL LEVY RATE OF 8.0 MILLS BE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY TO OFFSET REVENUE LOSSES FROM REFUNDS, ABATEMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE LAW REGARDING, OR THE METHODS OF CALCULATING, THE RATIO OF VALUATION FOR ASSESSMENT FOR RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY, SO THAT TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, NOTWITHSTANDING SUCH REFUNDS, ABATEMENT AND CHANGES, THE DISTRICT’S NET TAX REVENUES SHALL REMAIN AS PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED BY DISTRICT VOTERS, THE REVENUE THEREFROM TO PAY FOR THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL OPERATIONS AND CAPITAL EXPENSES RELATED TO FIRE PROTECTION, AMBULANCE, EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND RESCUE SERVICES; AND SHALL ALL DISTRICT REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE LIMITS PROVIDED BY LAW? Total District Fiscal Year Spending Fiscal Year 2018 (estimated) $3,160,588 2017(actual) $3,132,326 2016 (actual) $3,029,146 2015 (actual) $3,360,653 2014 (actual) $3,029,642 Overall percentage change from 2014 to 2018 5% Overall dollar change from 2014 to 2018 $130,946 Proposed District Tax Increase: Estimated first full fiscal year (2019) maximum dollar amount of increase: $0 Estimated first full fiscal year (2019) spending without the increase: $3,447,700 Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue 7F: Due to the effects of the Gallagher amendment, tax revenues approved by the voters in 2012 to fund general operations of the Basalt – Snowmass Fire District may be cut. This amendment, in short, places a cap on real property tax that may be collected in the event that residential revenues exceed 45% of all funds collected. Due to growth in residential development and assessed property values, this threshold has been crossed. As a result, this would produce a revenue shortfall for the District which would lead to harmful cuts to both capital and operating budgets. Voters should not have to be reminded about how critical funding is for our first responders in times of increased fire hazard. This is a time to support our fire district and not allow an obscure state amendment reduce needed funds for our fire fighters. Ballot number 7F asks voters to allow the adjustment of the District mill levy to maintain a constant source of revenue to meet budgets as planned. This is not a tax increase but merely ensures that funds previously approved by our communities be provided to allow our fire and emergency medical services to continue at the high level to which we have all become accustomed. This ballot initiative is a sensible and appropriate fix to a tax problem that was imposed upon the entire state by mostly front-range voters, not residents of the Roaring Fork Valley. A yes vote for Question 7F will ensure that proper funding be provided to our outstanding Fire District and the professional emergency service staff which make our communities safe and sound. Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue 7F: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline. 7 TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS ELECTION MATERIALRETURN SERVICE REQUESTEDRegina O’BrienEagle County Clerk and RecorderP.O. Box 537Eagle, CO 81631«ENDORSE»«TRAY»«ALL REGISTERED VOTERS»«MAILADDR1»«MAILADDR2»«CSZ»DFDFDFDFDFDFDFDFDNONPROFIT ORGU.S. POSTAGE PAIDGLENWOOD SPGS, COPERMIT NO. 22GENERAL ELECTION November 6, 2018 Eagle County, Colorado IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Type: Mail Ballot Election Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All active registered voters will be mailed ballots on October 15, 2018. The ballot issued to you will only contain those questions on which you are eligible to vote based on your place of residence listed on your voter registration. Vote r registration changes can be made online by visiting www.GoVoteColorado.com. The last day to request a ballot to be mailed is October 29, 2018. Voters who make changes to their registration online after October 29, 2018 must visit a Voter Service and Polling Center to obtain a ballot. Services available at Voter Service and Polling Centers include voter registration up to and including Election Day, accessible voting, in-person voting, ballot drop off boxes and replacement ballots. VOTER SERVICE AND POLLING CENTERS: Locations Dates and Hours Eagle Clerk and Recorder’s Office 500 Broadway Eagle, CO 81631 970-328-8715 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Avon Clerk and Recorder’s Office 100 W. Beaver Creek Boulevard Avon, CO 81620 970-328-9670 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. El Jebel Clerk and Recorder’s Office 20 Eagle County Drive El Jebel, CO 81623 970-328-9570 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Grand View Building Atop the Lionshead Parking Structure 395 S. Frontage Road West Vail, CO 81657 Friday: November 2 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday: November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. GENERAL ELECTION November 6, 2018 Eagle County, Colorado IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Type: Mail Ballot Election Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All active registered voters will be mailed ballots on October 15, 2018. The ballot issued to you will only contain those questions on which you are eligible to vote based on your place of residence listed on your voter registration. Vote r registration changes can be made online by visiting www.GoVoteColorado.com. The last day to request a ballot to be mailed is October 29, 2018. Voters who make changes to their registration online after October 29, 2018 must visit a Voter Service and Polling Center to obtain a ballot. Services available at Voter Service and Polling Centers include voter registration up to and including Election Day, accessible voting, in-person voting, ballot drop off boxes and replacement ballots. VOTER SERVICE AND POLLING CENTERS: Locations Dates and Hours Eagle Clerk and Recorder’s Office 500 Broadway Eagle, CO 81631 970-328-8715 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Avon Clerk and Recorder’s Office 100 W. Beaver Creek Boulevard Avon, CO 81620 970-328-9670 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. El Jebel Clerk and Recorder’s Office 20 Eagle County Drive El Jebel, CO 81623 970-328-9570 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Grand View Building Atop the Lionshead Parking Structure 395 S. Frontage Road West Vail, CO 81657 Friday: November 2 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday: November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. GENERAL ELECTION November 6, 2018 Eagle County, Colorado IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Type: Mail Ballot Election Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All active registered voters will be mailed ballots on October 15, 2018. The ballot issued to you will only contain those questions on which you are eligible to vote based on your place of residence listed on your voter registration. Vote r registration changes can be made online by visiting www.GoVoteColorado.com. The last day to request a ballot to be mailed is October 29, 2018. Voters who make changes to their registration online after October 29, 2018 must visit a Voter Service and Polling Center to obtain a ballot. Services available at Voter Service and Polling Centers include voter registration up to and including Election Day, accessible voting, in-person voting, ballot drop off boxes and replacement ballots. VOTER SERVICE AND POLLING CENTERS: Locations Dates and Hours Eagle Clerk and Recorder’s Office 500 Broadway Eagle, CO 81631 970-328-8715 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Avon Clerk and Recorder’s Office 100 W. Beaver Creek Boulevard Avon, CO 81620 970-328-9670 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. El Jebel Clerk and Recorder’s Office 20 Eagle County Drive El Jebel, CO 81623 970-328-9570 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Grand View Building Atop the Lionshead Parking Structure 395 S. Frontage Road West Vail, CO 81657 Friday: November 2 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday: November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. GENERAL ELECTION November 6, 2018 Eagle County, Colorado IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Type: Mail Ballot Election Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All active registered voters will be mailed ballots on October 15, 2018. The ballot issued to you will only contain those questions on which you are eligible to vote based on your place of residence listed on your voter registration. Voter registration changes can be made online by visiting www.GoVoteColorado.com. The last day to request a ballot to be mailed is October 29, 2018. Voters who make changes to their registration online after October 29, 2018 must visit a Voter Service and Polling Center to obtain a ballot. Services available at Voter Service and Polling Centers include voter registration up to and including Election Day, accessible voting, in-person voting, ballot drop off boxes and replacement ballots. VOTER SERVICE AND POLLING CENTERS: Locations Dates and Hours Eagle Clerk and Recorder’s Office 500 Broadway Eagle, CO 81631 970-328-8715 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Avon Clerk and Recorder’s Office 100 W. Beaver Creek Boulevard Avon, CO 81620 970-328-9670 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. El Jebel Clerk and Recorder’s Office 20 Eagle County Drive El Jebel, CO 81623 970-328-9570 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Grand View Building Atop the Lionshead Parking Structure 395 S. Frontage Road West Vail, CO 81657 Friday: November 2 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday: November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. GENERAL ELECTION November 6, 2018 Eagle County, Colorado IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION Election Date: Tuesday, November 6, 2018 Election Type: Mail Ballot Election Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All active registered voters will be mailed ballots on October 15, 2018. The ballot issued to you will only contain those questions on which you are eligible to vote based on your place of residence listed on your voter registration. Voter registration changes can be made online by visiting www.GoVoteColorado.com. The last day to request a ballot to be mailed is October 29, 2018. Voters who make changes to their registration online after October 29, 2018 must visit a Voter Service and Polling Center to obtain a ballot. Services available at Voter Service and Polling Centers include voter registration up to and including Election Day, accessible voting, in-person voting, ballot drop off boxes and replacement ballots. VOTER SERVICE AND POLLING CENTERS: Locations Dates and Hours Eagle Clerk and Recorder’s Office 500 Broadway Eagle, CO 81631 970-328-8715 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Avon Clerk and Recorder’s Office 100 W. Beaver Creek Boulevard Avon, CO 81620 970-328-9670 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. El Jebel Clerk and Recorder’s Office 20 Eagle County Drive El Jebel, CO 81623 970-328-9570 Weekdays: October 22 – November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: October 27 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Grand View Building Atop the Lionshead Parking Structure 395 S. Frontage Road West Vail, CO 81657 Friday: November 2 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday: November 3 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Monday: November 5 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Election Day: November 6 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.