City Council Agenda and Packet 1974 06 18

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F , -3710 :7i \ 7 •✓ , eam, • � _ ■•..�.�. / ' 1. i IILCoiorado � �Municipal League TO: Mayors and Managers or Clerks of Member Municipalities FROM: Susan Griffiths, Staff Attorney SUBJECT: H.E. 1084 -- Conservation Trust Fund DATE: June 12, 1974 The Colorado Department of Revenue has nailed to each municipal and county clerk a memorandum and affidavit relating to the distribution of state funds under H.B. 1084, a League-supported conservation trust fund measure adopted during the 1974 legislative session. The purpose of this memo is to provide a • somewhat more detailed explanation of the provisions of the bill, to respond to a few of the questions which have been raised regarding the bill, and to 'remind you to take certain actions if you desire to receive your share of the state funds. H.B. 1084 establishes a program of state grants to eligible counties and municipalities for their use in the acquisition. development and maintenance of "new conservation sites." The term "new conservation sites" is broadly defined in the bill to include interests in land and/or water -- acquired after establishment of a conservation trust fund -- for park or recreation purposes, for all types of open space including, but not limited to floodplains, greenbelts, agricultural land or scenic areas. or for any scientific, historic, scenic, recreational, aesthetic or similar purpose. It is important to note that the state funds may not be used for the development or maintenance of sites acquired prior to the establishment of the conservation trust fund. The bill contains a $725,000 state appropriation to be distributed to eligible counties and municipalities on a population basis. To become eligible to receive a share of the state funds, a municipality is simply required to create conservation trust fund and certify to the Department of Revenue that the fund has been created. The affidavit recently received by municipal clerks from the Department is for the purpose of certifying to the Department that the municipality has created the fund and is therefore eligible to receive its share of the $725,000 state appropriation for fiscal year 1974-75. Since H.B. 1084 does not become effective until July 1, 1974, we recommend that each iunicipality desiring to participate in the program create its fund on or shortly after that date. After creation of the fund, the city council or board of trustees must authorize the appropriate municipal officer to complete the Department's affidavit of certification, and should ensure that the affidavit is returned to the Department of Revenue not later than July 15, 1974. The state treasurer will distribute shares to each eligible county and municipality on or before September 1, 1974. If a municipality decides not to establish a conservation trust fund, its share of the state money vi11 be distributed to the county in which the municipality is located if that county is eligible to receive funds under the bill. If the county chooses not to become eligible to receive money under the bill, its share will be distributed on a pro rats basis to all eligible counties and municipalities. Eligible counties and municipalities .v 104.4,800 W idsworth He-. ' • ' '.. • -