HomeMy WebLinkAboutR19-078 Supporting Ballot Issue 6A in Support of Eagle Valley Library District Commissioner 041_,IZ.4L moved adoption
of the following Resolution:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO
r� o
RESOLUTION NO.2019 - V 1 0
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF BALLOT ISSUE 6A IN SUPPORT OF EAGLE
VALLEY LIBRARY DISTRICT
WHEREAS,Eagle County's mission is "Creating a Better Eagle County for All"; and
WHEREAS, having excellent opportunities and resources for residents and visitors of
Eagle County to read, learn and grow is critical to our success in creating a better County; and
WHEREAS,the Eagle Valley Library District, Eagle County, Colorado (the "District")
is a duly organized and existing library district under the Constitution and laws of the State of
Colorado; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, Eagle County electors authorized the creation of the District and
authorized the Board of County of Commissioners of Eagle County, Colorado (the "Board")to
levy a maximum of 2.75 mills to finance the District's operation and maintenance expenses to
provide invaluable, free services and opportunities for children, families, and members of the
community from every walk of life; and
WHEREAS,the District gives children the services they need to support their
educational growth from storytimes and early reading to science,technology, engineering, art,
and math programs; and
WHEREAS,the District expands opportunities for people from all walks of life, from
kids and seniors to students and job seekers, by increasing access to technology, internet, and job
training; and
WHEREAS,the District improves the quality of life for families and the community at
large through programs, classes, and group activities with over 29,349 participants attending in
2018; and
WHEREAS,the District creates a welcoming, safe gathering place where anyone can
belong, connect, and build community; and
WHEREAS,the District collaborates with state, county and municipal agencies, school
district, arts and cultural organizations, business and non-profit groups, and health and social
services agencies to maximize possibilities for community engagement; and
WHEREAS,the District connects people with accurate and trusted information and
resources for free; and
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WHEREAS,the District provides free and equal access to information and ideas; and
WHEREAS,the District operates three community libraries and online services
available to more than 50,000 people across Eagle County; and
WHEREAS, in 2018, Eagle County residents and visitors visited the District's libraries
315,995 times, borrowed 292,301 items, and used the public computers and free internet 83,834
times; and
WHEREAS,Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution ("TABOR")requires
voter approval for a mill levy above that for the prior year; and
WHEREAS,pursuant to the provisions of Article X, Section 3 of the Colorado
Constitution (the "Gallagher Amendment")the ratio used for determining the assessed value of
residential property has declined from 21% in 1982 to 7.15%today and is projected to decline
further; and
WHEREAS,the rapid rate of population growth in Denver and Colorado's other front
range communities has resulted in this ratio being impacted and has required a reduction in the
tax revenues collected from residential properties to maintain this mandated ratio and has
reduced the taxes collected under voter passed local mill levies supporting special districts and
other entities such as the District; and
WHEREAS,the Colorado legislature has to date not addressed this unintended
consequence of the Gallagher Amendment, particularly on Colorado's rural communities and
such services as fire districts, sanitation districts, libraries and other local governments ,which
threatens their ability to continue to serve essential local needs; and
WHEREAS,the Gallagher Amendment passed by the Colorado state legislature reduced
the revenues available to the District in the past three years by$1 million with the most recent
adjustment from 7.96%to 7.15%; and
WHEREAS,the Gallagher Amendment downward adjustment in the percent of the
assessment used as the tax basis is projected to decline from 7.15%to 6.41% in 2021 and could
cause another significant reduction in the District's revenues in that year; and
WHEREAS,the Gallagher Amendment is projected to decline to zero over time,which
would undermine the expressed intent of the voters to support local libraries with a 2.75 mill
levy; and
WHEREAS,the passage of Ballot Issue 6A does NOT increase residential taxes
supporting the District above current levels, but would allow the District to respond to the
unintended consequences of the Gallagher Amendment which are negatively impacting mountain
and rural communities; and
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WHEREAS, 6A is a local solution to protect the District from a statewide problem,but it
is not an automatic or unlimited tax increase,permitting an adjustment in the mill levy only to
offset those revenues lost due to Denver growth and the methodology of the Gallagher
Amendment.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF COLORADO:
THAT,the Eagle County Board of County Commissioners ("Board")does hereby
support the passage of Ballot Issue 6A on the 2019 Eagle County election ballot, and encourages
the registered voters of Eagle County to vote YES on 6A in support of the Eagle Valley Library
District.
THAT,the Board hereby finds, determines and declares that this Resolution is necessary
for the public health, safety and welfare of the residents of the County of Eagle, State of
Colorado.
MOVED,READ AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of the
County of Eagle, State of Colorado, at its regular meeting held the 7/1""tPay of 0 I p pjk„p- ,
2019.
EA6(fc,, COUNTY OF EAGLE, STATE OF
�`�F COLORADO, By and Through Its
, BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ATTEST: c.'
• ,(0: .00 By: -o
Clerk to the Board of tonne McQueeney
County missioners Chair
�y'• z� .w,�lc.6.,i
Kathy Chandler-Henry
Co iss.en-r --
Matt Scherr
Commissio er
Commissioner LA/1,0„ l.�.t�[.rti seconded adoption of the foregoing resolution. The roll
having been called,the vote was as follows:
Commissioner McQueeney
Commissioner Chandler-Henry +n ►nbS i
Commissioner Scherr 4u-t4,-
v
This resolution passed by d vote of the Board of County Commissioners of
the County of Eagle, State of Colorado
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