2010 1 SPRING - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Continued from page 1 budget and available resources for the City of Louisville. How do we respond to this setback? This is something the City Council is in the process of addressing. More importantly however, is how the former employees are able to make adjustments. This issue is one that causes me concern and empathy. Please know that while I am using the Sam's Club employees as an example, I am painfully aware of other corporate downsizing and layoffs in the area. I am equal- ly concerned for those people. When people who want to work are out of work, it impacts our entire commu- nity and we need to provide friendship and assistance in any way possible. In the Great Depression we sustained ourselves by our strength, our resolution, and the deter- mination of families. Today, I call upon our community POSSIBLE TAX QUESTION FOR 2010 BALLOT Continued from page 1 services, and eliminating one or both of the City's special events (July 4th and Fall Festival). Unless voters approve a new revenue source it will be necessary to continue scaling back services to maintain a balanced budget in future years. This is why the City Council is considering asking voters to approve a use tax for Louisville in the November 2010 election. Use taxes are intended to make up for the sales tax that is not collected on purchases of tangible personal property (things like office furniture, computers. and appliances) purchased outside the City but delivered to a location in City. Currently, Louisville does not impose such a tax. Most surrounding cities already impose and collect use taxes. This means there is an incentive for residents and businesses to make major purchases outside of Lou- isville, have the item delivered to their home or office, and avoid paying the 3.5% Louisville sales tax. That puts local businesses at a disadvantage with their competitors in surrounding cities. Imposing a use tax would level the playing field. It would also generate new revenue for City services. Although the amount would be highly variable — be- cause major business purchases vary significantly from to become even more caring for those families that are affected. As a City, we will take measures to live within our means. Yes, some of the services or events, which we take for granted, will be impacted or eliminated. We will not however, sacrifice public safety or essential services. The changes will not be irreversible, but we are all feeling the pain. We are a resourceful and resilient com- munity and we are being tested in 2010!! To that end, we will answer the challenges and Louisville will contin- ue to be a caring and giving community. We will be even stronger by sustaining ourselves and one another. Thank you for the care, commitment, and concern that you have. I know we, as a community, are up for the challenge. year to year a use tax would likely generate about $500,000 annually. Nearly all of that revenue would come from purchases made by local businesses. If a use tax is approved by voters, the new revenue would be used for two primary purposes: First, it would be devoted to ensuring the City's streets are properly maintained. Currently, 17% of the City's streets are in poor or failing condition. Another 20% are only in fair condition. We need to fix these streets and keep the rest from deteriorating further. Second, new revenue would be used to bring back some (but not all) of the services that had to be cut in 2009 and 2010. Should the City Council take formal action to place this issue on the November 2010 ballot, it would not take place until July. This will provide time for addi- tional public input to ensure there is strong support for this proposal. Please let us know if you support or oppose this ap- proach, or if you have any questions or suggestions on additional actions you think we should take to balance the City's budget. We would like to hear from you. You may email your comments and questions to the City Council at CityCouncil @LouisvilleCO.gov or you may call the phone numbers listed on page one. Thank you! Spring 2010 2