This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
On Tuesday, July 30, Longmont city staff sought direction from Longmont City Council on the ballot language for the November 2019 Ballot Issues.
The November Ballot will be comprised of four issues:
- Street Sales Tax Permanency
- Competitive Pool and Ice Rink/Library Annex Tax Increase and Bond Authorization
- Charter Revision – Lease Timing Caps
- City Council Compensation Increase
These issues have been approved for the ballot in past council sessions and this meeting was to discuss the language voters would see and cast their votes on.
Additionally, Sandi Seeder, Assistant City Manager, pointed out to council that the language provided in the council communication had not yet been brought before the city attorney's office for final approval, the language was only a draft composed by city staff in order to get direction from city council.
Below is a copy of the July 30, 2019, City Council Communication Document:
Notable changes to the language provided above include:
- Removing the language that would include a library annex included in the pool and ice facility.
- Sunsetting the capital costs of the pool and ice facility for when the bonds are paid, however, keeping the operations and management taxation in perpetuity for as long as the facility is in existence.
- Adding the to the language surrounding Ballot Issue #4: Council Compensation to reflect that the Longmont City Council has not received an increase in compensation in the last 20 years while the population and the workload of city council members have increased significantly.
Longmont Public Library Director, Nancy Kerr stated in an email to the Longmont Observer that, "the Library is in agreement with the Council's decision to remove the potential library branch from the pool and ice center. A library branch located in a recreational facility could present great opportunities, but we prefer to complete our Feasibility Study prior to making an informed decision about how much future space may be needed, what services to include, where it would be located, and how it would be staffed and funded. We will rely heavily on community engagement in the upcoming Study to help us make those decisions."
City staff will bring back finalized ballot language for a first reading on August 13 and for a second reading on August 27 along with Resolutions of Support for City Council to approve on August 13.
