Open Space and Parks Sales Tax Task Force Agenda and Packet 2023 03 20

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Open Space and Parks Sales Tax Task Force Meeting Minutes Marsh 13, 2023 Page 2 of 3 Members asked if polling about the ballot measure can be done before deciding on the options. Mayor Maloney indicated the City plans to do polling and bring the results back to the group to understand community sentiment. Members asked to get background information on past the Boulder County tax question polling results. Staff will provide this to the task force members. Fitzpatrick asked if there was an interest in including a third -party expert to assist with the process, such as Trust for Public Lands. Staff indicated that is possible, we could invite them to a future meeting. Director Blackmore shared background information on the current and historic Open Space and Parks taxes as well as an overview of the types of Open Spaces and Parks within the system, and the work completed to manage and maintain these assets. Fitzpatrick requested more information about the categories of Open Space. Helen asked if there is a standard metric to measure the average ratio of staff to open space acres, similar to what was presented for Parks. Director Blackmore indicated that there is not a professional standard or benchmark for open space that he is aware of. Mayor Pro Tern Fahey asked if staff has information on the number of trees lost in the Marshall Fire on open space and parks lands. Director Blackmore indicated that information could be provided. Moshak asked if strip mowing on open space falls into parks operations. Director Blackmore indicated that it is a joint contract between parks and open space staff, and golf as well. Director Bailey shared information about the Open Space and Parks tax and how it is utilized. The Open Space and Parks fund is a restricted fund that can only be used for the purposes in the ballot measure. The funding does not fully support all Open Space and Parks operations and capital expenditures. He reviewed total expenditures for 7-year trend, total revenues and funding sources for 7-year trend, and how that funding may be split among Open Space and Parks expenditures was provided in the presentation. Members discussed what items might be included in the sales tax funding and what might not. For example, are funds for capital projects like a portion of an underpass included; are Conservation Trust Fund dollars included; does this capture all other source contributions from the Capital Projects Fund to open space or parks projects. q