HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011 Coordinated Tabor NoticeNOVEMBER 1, 2011 COORDINATED ELECTIONCOUNTY OF EAGLE – STATE OF COLORADOIN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE STATE CONSTITUTIONElection Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 Election Type: Mail Ballot ElectionQuestions: Call 970-328-8728, or from the Roaring Fork Valley call 1-800-225-6136 Extension 8715 or 8726Active registered voters will be mailed ballots. Requests for mail in ballots or replacement ballots must be made in writing and must include full name, date of birth, physical address, address to mail the ballot, and signature of the applicant. The last day to request a ballot to be mailed is October 25, 2011. Replacement ballots may be picked up in person from October 11 through October 31st from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Election Day, November 1, 2011 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Requests may be sent to Eagle County Clerk and Recorder.Mail requests to: Eagle County Clerk and Recorder, P.O. Box 537, Eagle, ColoradoFax requests to: 970-328-8716Email requests to: elections@eaglecounty.usService Centers available for:• Pickup ballots and replacement ballots • Drop off voted ballots • Update voter registration Offices of the Clerk and Recorder Offices of the Clerk and Recorder Offices of the Clerk and Recorder 500 Broadway 20 El Jebel Road 100 W. Beaver Creek Blvd. Eagle, Colorado El Jebel, Colorado Avon, Colorado 970-328-8726 970-704-2700 970-748-2000NONPROFIT
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Teak J. SimontonEagle County Clerk and RecorderP.O. Box 537Eagle, CO 81631
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449 ANTERO ST
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Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 3E continued
Estimated 2011-2012 fiscal year spending without taking into account the tax increase authorized by Ballot Issue
3E: $49,407,071
Estimated 2011-2012 tax increase authorized by Ballot Issue 3E: $4,800,000
Summaries of written comments filed with the election officer:
The following summaries were prepared from comments filed by persons FOR Ballot Issue 3E:
The children in the Roaring Fork School District are an investment in our community’s future. Strong schools create
educated citizens, students prepared for college or the workforce, increased property values and vital communities.
A yes vote on 3E will restore essential funding to:
• Preserve small class size
• Prevent more teacher’s jobs from being eliminated
• Attract and retain quality staff
• Provide up to date textbooks, technology and learning tools
• Maintain our facilities
A yes vote on 3E will allow us to maintain the level of education that makes our students competitive with some
of the best school districts in the state, with no increase in residential property taxes. Without these funds, we are
concerned that we may no longer be able to maintain a quality education for our children.
The passage of Ballot Issue 3E will restore $4.8 million of the $5.1 million reduction in state funding. Overall, RFSD
property taxes will drop almost $9 million due to lower property values. The district is asking to keep $4.8 million
of this decrease in taxes in order to preserve strong schools in our communities and restore a portion of the funding
reductions from the state. The district has already eliminated 80 full and part time positions including teachers,
and support staff from the district office, custodial, maintenance, health services, technology, and transportation.
Additional cuts were made to school and district supply and/or materials budgets, staff development, and a
number of athletic programs were eliminated or consolidated. Instructional days for students were reduced by two.
Staff salaries have been frozen for the past three years and for 2011-2012, salaries have been reduced for all staff.
Because of state law, a mill levy override is the only means by which local voters can support the need for restoring
lost funding from the state. Our funding from the state, already very low when compared with other states, has
dramatically decreased over the last two years. During the two years of budget cuts, the district made a decision
to keep those cuts as far from classrooms as possible. They also made a decision not to go to the voters for more
money until they absolutely had no other choice. Because of this philosophy, and looking to the dismal future of
funding for education in Colorado, if 3E does not pass, the district’s only choices for further budget cuts will impact
our children in many ways. Large class sizes, the loss of experienced teachers, outdated materials and facilities that
won’t receive the care and maintenance needed are only the beginning. Other areas that will be impacted will
include transportation, programs involving the arts and athletics, college prep courses and student instructional
time. An economic downturn should not be allowed to have a life-long impact on our children.
Please vote yes on Ballot Issue 3E and show that we as a community will rally to support and value the best possible
education for our kids.
The following summaries were prepared from comments filed by persons AGAINST Ballot Issue 3E:
No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.
TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE
Election Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 | Election Hours: 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number:
90 Benchmark Road | Suite 101 | Avon, Colorado 81620 | Telephone number 970-748-4731 .
Ballot Title and Text: EAGLE RIVER FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE 5A:
SHALL EAGLE RIVER FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT’S TAXES BE INCREASED BY $1,830,000 IN 2012, AND BY SUCH
AMOUNTS AS MAY BE COLLECTED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER THROUGH 2019 BY IMPOSITION OF AN ADDITIONAL
MILL LEVY AT A RATE NOT GREATER THAN 1.95 MILLS WHICH TOGETHER WITH THE EXISTING MILL LEVY OF 5.55
MILLS IS SUFFICIENT TO GENERATE AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO THE 2011 TAX REVENUES TO PAY DISTRICT EXPENSES;
AND SHALL SUCH REVENUES BE COLLECTED NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER REVENUE LIMITS PROVIDED BY LAW?
Total District Fiscal Year Spending*:
2011 (estimated) $8,200,744 2010 (actual) $8,189,825
2009 (actual) $7,725,819 2008 (actual) $7,819,930
2007 (actual) $6,569,852
*Note: Fiscal Year Spending Excludes Bond and Lease Proceeds
Overall percentage change from 2007 to 2011: 24.82%
Overall dollar change from 2007 to 2011: $1,630,892
Proposed District Tax Increase:
Estimated first full fiscal year maximum dollar amount of increase: $1,830,000
Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the increase: $6,493,744
Summary of Written Comments For the Proposal:
YES on 5A – Eagle River Fire Protection District’s Temporary Mill Levy Increase
A YES vote on 5A simply keeps the funding for Eagle River Fire Protection District unchanged. On November 1, the
voters in the Eagle River Fire Protection District have the opportunity to support our firefighters by voting YES, as
they respond to emergencies.
A YES vote on 5A keeps all fire stations open and keeps the same number of firefighters on the job. A yes vote ensures
that firefighters have the necessary training and equipment to do their job and maintains our current high level of
emergency response and fire protection. It is our first responders’ mission to keep our community safe; they are
doing their part. We must do our part.
On your mail-in ballot, you are urged to vote YES on 5A for the Eagle River Fire Protection District’s proposed
TEMPORARY mill levy. For $15.52 annually per $100,000 home value, we can keep our community safe and your
homeowner insurance rates stable. All proceeds from the temporary mill levy will be committed to maintaining
current staffing levels, training, equipment and facilities.
A YES vote on 5A will:
SUNSET in 2019, ending the Temporary Mill Levy;
Prevent as much as a 30% cut to our full time firefighting staff. Our firefighters provide the initial attack on a wildfire.
This risk has increased significantly due to the pine beetle devastation of our forests.
Avoid the closure of fire stations.
Maintain the necessary resources to respond to simultaneous emergency calls, preventing longer response times
and the increased risk for the loss of life or property.
Avoid the risk of an increase to property owners’ insurance rates.
Please Vote YES on Ballot Issue 5A on Your Mail-in Ballot. Vote YES for Our Everyday Heroes.
Summary of Written Comments Against the Proposal:
A “no” vote is recommended against Ballot Issue 5A for the following reasons;
The Eagle River Fire Protection District has and will keep its existing 5.550 Mill Levy in place when voters vote “NO”
on the proposed Tax Increase. The Eagle River Fire Protection district will still be paid by the Taxpayer to provide Fire
Protection Services.
The Eagle River Fire Protection District has ~$3Million in cash reserves that could be used to offset any additional
expenses the Fire District has over and above the amount that the existing 5.550 Mill levy covers. These reserves
would not last indefinitely – however would cover the District for at least one year. Any alleged “cuts in fire
protection service” can be handled by these reserves for at least one year.
Within that (1) year time frame – voters could then be presented with next year’s (2012) November Ballot Question
– which should include (2) new questions on that (2012) ballot
• The Repeal of the County’s Open Space Tax
• A proposed Mill Levy increase for the Fire District used in effect as an offset for the Open Space Tax currently
on the County’s books.
The balance of the money in the County’s Open Space fund – should be allocated to Public Safety (Police, Fire,
Rescue) in an amount proportionate to the existing Mill Levy’s these County Services (Taxing Districts) currently
have on the books.
TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES
Town of Eagle, Colorado
Election Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 | Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number:
Eagle County Clerk and Recorder
500 Broadway, Suite 101 | P.O. Box 850
Eagle, Colorado 81631 | Telephone: (970) 328-8715
Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 2A:
SHALL THE TOWN OF EAGLE’S TAXES BE INCREASED BY $130,000.00 ANNUALLY (FIRST FULL FISCAL YEAR INCREASE)
AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF AN INCREASE IN
THE TOWN’S OCCUPATION TAX ON THE SHORT TERM RENTAL (LESS THAN 30 CONSECUTIVE DAYS) OF ANY HOTEL
ROOM, MOTEL ROOM, LODGING ROOM, MOTOR HOTEL ROOM, GUEST HOUSE ROOM, BED AND BREAKFAST ROOM, OR
OTHER SIMILAR ACCOMMODATION LOCATED IN THE TOWN FROM TWO DOLLARS ($2.00) PER DAY TO FOUR DOLLARS
($4.00) PER DAY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012; AND SHALL ALL REVENUES DERIVED FROM SUCH INCREASE IN THE
OCCUPATION TAX BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE GENERAL MARKETING AND PROMOTION OF THE TOWN OF EAGLE
AND THE MARKETING AND PROMOTION OF EAGLE EVENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF GENERATING ADDITIONAL REVENUE
FOR EXISTING AND FUTURE LODGING AND OTHER TOWN OF EAGLE BUSINESSES, SUCH REVENUES TO BE COLLECTED
AND SPENT AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE, NOTWITHSTANDING ANY REVENUE OR EXPENDITURE
LIMITATIONS CONTAINED IN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION?
Total Town of Eagle Fiscal Year Spending
Fiscal Year
2011 (estimated) $5,821,758
2010 (actual) $4,548,864
2009 (actual) $5,450,962
2008 (actual) $6,504,368
2007 (actual) $8,239,475
Overall percentage change from 2007 to 2011: -29.4 %
Overall dollar change from 2007 to 2011: $-2,417,717
Proposed Tax Increase
Town of Eagle Estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase For Fiscal Year 2012 (the First
Full Fiscal Year of the Proposed Tax Increase): BALLOT QUESTION 2A: $130,000
Town of Eagle Estimate of 2012 Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increases: $4,846,969
Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue 2A:
No comments were received by the Constitutional deadline.
Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue 2A:
No comments were received by the Constitutional deadline.
TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE
Eagle County School District Re50J | Eagle, Garfield and Routt Counties, Colorado
Election Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 | Election Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Local Election Office Address and Telephone Number:
Eagle County Clerk and Recorder
500 Broadway, Suite 101 | P.O. Box 850
Eagle, Colorado 81631 | Telephone: (970) 328-8715
Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 3B
SHALL EAGLE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT RE50J TAXES BE INCREASED NO MORE THAN $6,000,000 ANNUALLY (THE
MAXIMUM ADDITIONAL AMOUNT WHICH MAY BE COLLECTED IN ANY YEAR BEGINNING IN TAX COLLECTION YEAR
2012 ) OR $1,000 MULTIPLIED TIMES THE FUNDED PUPIL COUNT (AS DEFINED IN 22-54-103, C.R.S.), WHICHEVER IS
LESS; SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF THE TAX INCREASE BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES:
• MITIGATING STATE FUNDING CUTS
• RETAINING QUALITY TEACHERS
• CONTINUING NECESSARY CLASSROOM SUPPORT FOR ALL STUDENTS
• MINIMIZING REDUCTIONS IN EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, ARTS AND ATHLETICS
• REPLACING BUSES AND COMPUTERS THAT HAVE EXCEEDED THEIR USEFUL LIFESPAN
• MAINTAINING BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS; AND
SHALL SUCH TAX INCREASE BE IMPLEMENTED BY AN ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAX MILL LEVY IN EXCESS OF THE LEVY
AUTHORIZED FOR THE DISTRICT’S GENERAL FUND, PURSUANT TO AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 22-54-108,
C.R.S.; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND ALL REVENUES FROM SUCH TAXES
AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND
AN EXCEPTION TO THE LIMITS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE APPLY UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO
CONSTITUTION?
Total District Fiscal Year Spending
Fiscal Year
2011-2012 (estimated) $69,105,938
2010-2011 (actual) $71,353,719
2009-2010 (actual) $75,155,231
2008-2009 (actual) $68,337,440
2007-2008 (actual) $67,881,827
Overall percentage change from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012: 1.80%
Overall dollar change from 2007-2008 to 2011-2012: $1,224,111
Proposed Tax Increase
District Estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase For Fiscal Year 2012-2013 (the First
Full Fiscal Year of the Proposed Tax Increase): BALLOT ISSUE NO. 3B: $6,000,000
District Estimate of 2012-2013 Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increases: $66,547,352
Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue No. 3B:
Eagle County is a great place to live and raise a family. A large part of the reason for this is that we have a great
school system that prepares our students to compete in college or the job world. This solid backbone of our strong
sense of community is at risk because of the 4 years of cuts in state funding to our schools. We will not be able to
maintain our current high quality school system if we are forced to make additional cuts in 2012 and beyond, unless
we come together this November to support Issue 3B, a mill levy override to add $6 million of local revenues to
our schools.
The proceeds of Issue 3B would be used for educational purposes and allow the District to 1) mitigate state funding
cuts, 2) retain quality teachers, 3) continue necessary classroom support for all students, 4) minimize reductions in
extracurricular activities, arts and athletics, 5) replace buses and computers that have exceeded their useful lifespan
and 6) maintain buildings and grounds.
When it comes to attracting new companies and good paying jobs to our community, retaining and growing
existing businesses, training our future workforce and strengthening our property values, strong-performing
schools are not an option—they’re a necessity.
With more than $9 million already cut from the school district’s budget over the past two years—and the inability
to further rely on reserve funds—future cuts will mean cutting more classroom teachers and programs. It will mean
dramatically increasing class size. It will mean losing quality teachers to Aspen, Summit and Front Range school
districts. It will mean choosing between keeping outdated busses on the road or keeping teachers and manageable
class sizes. It will also mean that our students are forced to use obsolete computers in the classroom.
Watch what happens to property values when neighborhood schools close. Watch what happens to property
values when our school district can no longer offer a quality education. We’ll lose an even greater number of young
families, professionals and businesses, putting even more pressure on an already soft real estate market.
The monthly investment of $1.58 per $100,000 of a home’s market value—about $7.86 a month for a $500,000
home—is a reasonable and fair investment given the significant benefits. And 100% of the monies stay within our
school district. Not a dime goes to Denver. This is truly an opportunity to utilize our votes to show our support for
Eagle County Schools and keep our school system strong, despite what the legislature may decide to do next year.
Our world is changing, jobs are evolving and our children face a new level of competition. Now is not the time to
give up on our kids, our schools, our community and our future. Please join me in supporting Issue 3B, to keep Eagle
County Schools strong and a great part of the lifestyle we all share.
Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue No. 3B:
Don’t be Fooled! Despite the deceptive language of this Mill Levy Override ballot proposal, this is a permanent
PROPERTY TAX INCREASE!
1. The Eagle County School District RE 50J is proposing a permanent Property TAX INCREASE titled Resolution
3B, Mill Levy override.
2. NOTHING in the Ballot Language GUARANTEES that this additional tax money will be used to pay our
teachers more money!
3. The Eagle County School District currently has $230 Million Dollars in long term School Bond Debt the
taxpayer is currently responsible to pay off.
4. Due to current Eagle County economic conditions families have been moving out of Eagle County to find
work elsewhere. The number of students the School District is responsible to educate in Eagle County is
reduced because of this fact.
5. Your Property Taxes have increased, on average, at least 40% since 2007.
TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
ROARING FORK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. RE-1
Eagle County, Colorado
Notice of Election to Increase Taxes on a Referred Measure
Election by Mail Ballot
Deadline for receipt of ballots: November 1, 2011 7:00 p.m.
Local election office address and phone number:
Designated Election Official: Cyndy Hallford | Designated Election Official | 1405 Grand Avenue
Glenwood Springs, Colorado 81601 | telephone number (970) 384-6000
Coordinated Election Official: Teak J. Simonton | Eagle County Clerk and Recorder | 500 Broadway
P.O. Box 537 | Eagle, Colorado 81631 | telephone number (970) 328-8728
Ballot title and text: BALLOT ISSUE 3E
SHALL ROARING FORK SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. RE-1 TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $4.8 MILLION ANNUALLY THROUGH A
PROPERTY TAX OVERRIDE MILL LEVY IMPOSED AT A RATE SUFFICIENT TO PRODUCE THE AMOUNT SPECIFIED ABOVE,
TO MITIGATE CURRENT AND FUTURE BUDGET CUTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONTINUING TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY
EDUCATION THAT HELPS PREPARE STUDENTS FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL BY,
PRESERVING SMALL CLASS SIZES,
ATTRACTING AND RETAINING QUALITY STAFF,
PROVIDING QUALITY TEXTS, TECHNOLOGY FOR LEARNING, AND MATERIALS, AND
PRESERVING SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR KIDS,
WHICH TAXES SHALL BE DEPOSITED INTO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE DISTRICT, SHALL BE IN ADDITION TO THE
PROPERTY TAXES THAT OTHERWISE WOULD BE LEVIED FOR THE GENERAL FUND, AND SHALL CONSTITUTE A VOTER-
APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE?
Actual historical and current estimated fiscal year spending information:
Year Fiscal Year Spending*
2007-2008 (actual) $50,694,053
2008-2009 (actual) 51,326,430
2009-2010 (actual) 53,617,465
2010-2011 (actual) 50,832,776
2011-2012 (current year estimated) 49,407,071
*Fiscal year spending includes amounts expended by the District for bonded debt service.
Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending over the five year period from 2007-2008 through
2011-2012: (2.54)%
Overall dollar change in fiscal year spending over the five year period from 2007-2008 through
2011-2012: $(1,286,982)
TO: ALL REGISTERED VOTERS
NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES ON A REFERRED MEASURE
Town of Avon, Colorado
Election Date: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 | Election: Eagle County Coordinated Mail Ballot Election
Election Official: Eagle County Clerk and Recorder | 500 Broadway | Eagle, CO 970.328.8710
Tabor Notice: Colorado Constitution, Article X, Section 20
Ballot Title and Text: BALLOT ISSUE 2B
SHALL TOWN OF AVON TAXES BE INCREASED $875,000 ANNUALLY BEGINNING IN 2012 AND BY WHATEVER
ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS ARE RAISED ANNUALLY IN EACH SUBSEQUENT YEAR BY AN INCREASE IN THE TOWN SALES TAX
RATE OF ZERO POINT THREE FIVE PERCENT (0.35%); AND SHALL THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH SALES TAX BE DEDICATED
SPECIFICALLY TO THE AVON SUSTAINABLE TRANSIT PROJECT WHICH PROJECT SHALL BE DEFINED AS OPERATING
PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICES AND ACQUIRING, CONSTRUCTING, FINANCING AND MAINTAINING PUBLIC TRANSIT
EQUIPMENT, FACILITIES AND RELATED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; AND SHALL SUCH CHANGE BE IN EFFECT AS OF
JANUARY 1, 2012; AND SHALL THE TOWN BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND ALL REVENUES FROM
SUCH TAXES AND THE EARNINGS FROM THE INVESTMENT OF SUCH REVENUES AS A VOTER APPROVED REVENUE
CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION OR ANY OTHER LAW?”
Yes _____ No _____
Town’s Total Fiscal Year Spending Information:
2007: $22,487,300 (audited) 2008: $20,043,052 (audited)
2009: $15,499,628 (audited) 2010: $17,764,565 (audited)
2011: $16,412,056 (current year estimated)
Overall Percentage Change from 2007 – 2011: Decrease of $6,075,244
Overall Dollar Change from 2007 – 2011: Decrease of 27.02%
Proposed Tax Increase for Ballot Issue 2B:
Estimated first full year maximum dollar amount of increase: $875,000
Estimated first full year spending without the increase: $17,887,232
Comments in Support of Ballot Issue 2B:
The Town of Avon’s bus system provides substantial benefits for residents, businesses and visitors. Having a reliable,
functional and sustainable system is critical to the continued success of our community. However, it has always
been a struggle to pay for transit with existing general fund revenues, and recent budget cuts have caused the
transit service to be severely curtailed. By approving a 0.35% sales tax, which equals only 35 cents for every $100
spent, the Town of Avon will be able to more than double the number of annual service hours in the system; extend
daily operating hours and increase frequency during the ski season; and continue transportation between Avon
and Beaver Creek. The benefits of improving our bus system will be felt by our residents, as it will help ensure
that guests will not have to drive, reducing congestion in the roundabouts and parking lots for Avon residents.
Employees and residents will have better access to more reliable service, making it easier to get to work, shopping
and recreation. Our business community will benefit from guests who will find it convenient to stay in our lodges,
eat in our restaurants and shop in our stores. And Avon will remain competitive with other ski and destination
towns in the state, virtually all of which provide free transportation. A sales tax also spreads out the impact across
the entire community. Homeowners, renters, and visitors all will contribute, so that the responsibility is not unfairly
placed on just one group. In particular, visitors to Avon generate about two-thirds of annual sales tax collections,
meaning that residents and businesses see a greater value than what they pay for. By approving this small sales
tax increase, voters in Avon will benefit from having wonderful places to eat, shop and visit in their home town and
having a transit system that supports us and our guests.
Comments in Opposition of Ballot Issue 2B:
Vote no Against Avon’s proposed Sales Tax Increase – November 2011 Ballot Issue 2B. Avon’s Ballot Language for
the proposed Sales Tax Increase DOES NOT Guarantee the entire Town of Avon will receive Avon Bus Service, only
that new Sales Tax will be collected everywhere in the Town. IN FACT no part of Avon is specifically mentioned in the
Ballot language as the ‘part of Avon’ that will receive any, NEW or Continued Bus Service. The Town of Avon (on the
North side of I-70) has never had Avon Bus service and the Ballot language does in NO WAY, promise it. The Ballot
Language is written to “take Avon sales taxes from the many - and hand it to the few”. Not everyone, nor every
business paying the proposed new Tax will receive Avon Bus Route service. All businesses in the Town of Avon will
be required to collect the new sales tax and yet no Avon business is guaranteed that any public bus route shall be
near their place of business. FACT – The Avon Town Council has now spent well over a million dollars (over the years)
litigating with Avon Developer Traer Creek rather than use that money from Avon‘s “general fund” to fund Avon’s
new or existing bus system. The north side of I-70, neighborhoods consisting of Wildwood, Wildridge, and Buffalo
Ridge Apartments, are not promised any Town of Avon bus routes with this question 2BBallot Language. Until the
Town of Avon Sales Tax Ballot language is written such that the taxpayer can reasonably determine what if any new
or existing Bus Routes are paid for by this Sales Tax increase, this proposed Town of Avon Sales Tax increase (Ballot
Issue - 2B) should be voted No. Vote NO on Ballot Issue – 2B.
The Town of Avon is currently tied for the highest sales tax rate in Eagle County. It is significantly higher than
Edwards. Raising sales taxes further may hurt the Town’s economy as business activity moves to lower cost areas.
Raising sales taxes may also hurt the Town’s citizens, already struggling with a weak housing market, lower prices
and higher foreclosures along with high gas and food prices. If transportation is deemed a high priority the Town
needs to look more closely at how it spends money. Unnecessary spending and lower priority items will have to be
eliminated and taxpayer dollars used in the best and most efficient way.