Nov. 6, 2012 - Voters extend .25 cent sales and use tax for parks and recreation

Media Contacts:
Sarah Huntley, Media Relations, 303-579-7614
Jennifer Bray, Parks and Recreation, 303-441-4160
www.bouldercolorado.gov

Voters extend .25 cent sales and use tax for parks and recreation

Boulder voters today approved a 20-year extension to a .25 cent sales and use tax dedicated to Parks and Recreation improvements and services. The vote means the tax, which was first approved in November 1995, will remain in place until 2035. It had been scheduled to sunset on Dec. 31, 2015.

All revenue raised from the tax goes to the Parks and Recreation Department and has been spent on park acquisition, repayment of the bonds used to acquire park land, and on development, operation and maintenance projects for park and recreation facilities and programs. In 2012, the department collected $7.1 million, which amounted to 27 percent of the department’s total funding. One of the outcomes of the original .25 sales and use tax was the purchase of Valmont City Park, including the development of Valmont Bike Park and Dog Park.

“We are grateful for the voters’ support. Our community’s commitment to city parks, recreational opportunities and more generally, encouraging active lifestyles, is incredible,” said Kirk Kincannon, director of Parks and Recreation. “This revenue will allow us to continue to improve the services and facilities we offer.”

While specific uses of the funds will be determined through the city’s annual budget process, starting in 2016, the money is intended to cover costs associated with bonding for new capital construction, renovation and deferred maintenance projects, pay-as-you-go capital projects or for department operations.

Appropriate uses might include the development of the southern part of Valmont City Park; improvements to athletic fields in Stazio, Pleasantview and Foothills Community parks; improvements to neighborhood parks; and upgrades to recreation centers, as well as maintenance for Parks and Recreation facilities.

Kincannon said these ideas, and others, will be discussed as part of the ongoing Master Planning process, as well as during future analyses about capital improvement priorities.

“We have found that our community’s needs evolve with time, and we are looking forward to a meaningful public dialogue about the best uses for this funding,” he said.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 11 December 2012 10:26