Voters Show Support for Sales Tax Increase to Fund Street and Park Sustainability
Official election results from Nov. 5, 2013, show that the Town of Firestone 2C and 2D ballot questions were both successful among voter turnout.
Ballot question 2C proposed a 1-cent sales tax increase dedicated to provide funding for operations and maintenance and capital improvement and rehabilitation projects for Firestone streets and parks. Ballot question 2D was a ballot question to allow the Town of Firestone to allow debt to accelerate the construction of certain projects.
Official voter turnout was:
Total voter turnout for Ballot Issue 2C: 2,981
Yes: 1,904, 63.87 percent
No: 1,077, 36.13 percent
Total voter turnout for Ballot Issue 2D: 2,980
Yes: 1,673, 56.14 percent
No: 1,307, 43.86 percent
“I am humbled by the election results,” said Firestone Mayor Chad Auer. “The message is clear - Firestone wants to invest in the future through sustainability and common sense. As elected leaders, we must continue our commitment to stewardship of tax dollars.
The Firestone Board of Trustees will begin initial conversations in the coming weeks to determine next steps in the process, including a timeline of projects.
“This is another exciting time for Firestone, and a great testament to the citizens who lead this effort. It’s an honor to be a part of such a great community,” Auer said. A Firestone citizen-led task force created the committee named Firestone Citizens for Streets and Parks in order to support the ballot initiative to provide a comprehensive sustainability plan for these town facilities.
The proposed 1-cent sales tax increase will provide funding for capital improvement projects, including:
• Firestone Boulevard entrance and widening. This will upgrade the entry into the community and complete the build out to four lanes, from Colorado Boulevard to Interstate 25. Other projects that are planned to be funded are:
• Locust Street reconstruction
• Colorado Boulevard reconstruction
• McClure Avenue improvements
• Sidewalk along Sable Avenue from Birch Street to Colorado Boulevard
• Historic Firestone Street Reconstruction (water lines will also be replaced during reconstruction, but will be funded through the water enterprise)
The ballot question will also provide a sustainable funding source to repair and rehabilitate streets infrastructure, including cost saving operations such as seal coating, chip sealing, crack filling, restriping, pothole filling, overlays, etc., and park facilities, including playground and ball field repairs and equipment replacement.