Open Space and Parks Sales Tax Task Force Agenda and Packet 2023 04 03

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2021 Failed Ballot Measure Language - Issue 2C November 2nd, 2021 City of Colorado Springs Source: https://ballotpedia.org/Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ballot Issue 2C, Sales_ Tax_ Increase_ for Trails, Open Spaces, and Parks Measure (November 2021) SHALL CITY TAXES BE INCREASED $11,134,000 ANNUALLY BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2022, AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS ARE RAISED IN YEARS THEREAFTER, BY INCREASING THE RATE OF SALES AND USE TAX DEDICATED TO TRAILS, OPEN SPACE AND PARKS (TOPS) FROM ITS CURRENT RATE OF .1% (ONE TENTH OF A CENT), OR ONE (1) PENNY ON EVERY TEN (10) DOLLAR PURCHASE, TO .2% (TWO TENTHS OF A CENT), OR TWO (2) CENTS ON EVERY TEN (10) DOLLAR PURCHASE, EXCEPT FOR PURCHASES OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, FOOD, AND OTHER PURCHASES EXEMPTED FROM SALES TAX, WITHOUT CHANGING THE PURPOSES WHICH INCLUDE: • PRESERVING FRAGILE ECOSYSTEMS, NATURAL AREAS, SCENIC VISTAS AND AREAS, FISH AND WILDLIFE HABITATS AND CORRIDORS, AND IMPORTANT AREAS THAT SUPPORT BIODIVERSITY, NATURAL RESOURCES AND LANDMARKS; • CONSERVING NATURAL RESOURCES SUCH AS WATER AQUIFER RECHARGE AREAS, SURFACE WATER, AND FOREST LANDS; • ACQUIRING, DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING OPEN SPACE LANDS AND TRAILS; AND • ACQUIRING, DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING PARKS; WITH ALL EXPENDITURES BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS OF AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND SUBJECT TO INDEPENDENT AUDIT; WITH NO MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT (5%) OF REVENUES DERIVED TO BE USED FOR ADMINISTRATION, PLANNING AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, AND NO MORE THAN TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT (25%) FOR MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS OF ALL CITY PARKS, TRAILS AND OPEN SPACE LANDS, AND THE REMAINING REVENUE DIVIDED INTO FORTY PERCENT (40%) USED FOR ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL PARKS, THIRTY PERCENT (30%) FOR ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL TRAILS, AND THIRTY PERCENT (30%) FOR ACQUISITION, DEVELOPMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ALL OPEN SPACE LANDS, REGARDLESS OF HOW ACQUIRED; AND WITH THE INTENT OF THE VOTERS THAT MONIES DERIVED FROM THE INCREASE SHOULD NOT OFFSET ANY EXPENDITURES FROM THE GENERAL FUND; AND EXTENDING THE EXPIRATION OF THE TOPS SALES AND USE TAX TO AND UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2041; THE ABOVE CONSTITUTING A VOTER -APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE AND EXCEPTION TO ANY CONSTITUTIONAL, STATUTORY AND CHARTER REVENUE AND SPENDING LIMITATIONS THAT MAY OTHERWISE APPLY? (Word Count 343)