HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-32 Support Eagle County Ballot Question 1A, Increase Taxes on Recreational Marijuana to Fund Mental HealthRESOLUTION NO. 32
SERIES OF 2017
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING EAGLE COUNTY BALLOT ISSUE 1A —
FUNDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN EAGLE
COUNTY THROUGH THE TAXATION OF RETAIL MARIJUANA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners ("County") has submitted to the
registered, qualified electors of Eagle County, at the general election to be held on
November 7, 2017, a question authorizing a sales and excise tax increase for the
purpose of funding mental health and substance abuse services in Eagle County;
WHEREAS, C.R.S. §1-45-117(1)(b)(III) allows any political subdivision to pass a
resolution in support and otherwise take a position of advocacy on this issue and report
the passage of the same through established, customary means;
WHEREAS, the Vail Town Council desire to support the County's efforts in this
regard and encourage our constituents to vote yes on Ballot Issue 1A;
WHEREAS, many of our citizens with needs for assistance and/or treatment with
regard to substance abuse and mental health have faced a persistent problem of
having a lack of facilities or funding for such services. For those in Eagle County
needing these services the closest existing facilities are located in Grand Junction and
Frisco; and
WHEREAS, mental health and substance abuse issues impact a Targe sector of
our population:
• 1 in 4 adults experience a mental health or addiction crisis in a given year
• 18% of adults live with anxiety disorders
• 60% with a mental illness don't receive treatment
• 20% of 13-18 year olds live with a mental health condition
• 50% of youth ages 8-15 don't receive treatment
• 37% students with mental health conditions dropout of high school- highest rate
of any disability group
• Eagle County has already seen 10 individuals commit suicide in 2017 and is on
pace to set a record for annual suicides;
WHEREAS, the marijuana industry and its associated sales tax revenues has
created an opportunity to help resolve the funding and treatment problem; and
WHEREAS, if approved, a significant portion of the resulting tax revenue from
the sale of recreational marijuana - $1.2 million minimum - would be dedicated and
immediately available to create programs for prevention of mental health and treatment
of substance abuse issues. The longer-term goal involves the creation of an in -county
facility.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE
TOWN OF VAIL, COLORADO, as follows:
Section 1. The Vail Town Council would like to join Eagle County, our health care
providers, our local law enforcement agencies, our school districts, and our other
community partners in supporting the passage of Ballot Issue 1A — Funding Mental Health
and Substance Abuse Services in Eagle County through the Taxation of Retail Marijuana.
The registered, qualified electors of Town of Vail are encouraged to vote yes on Ballot
Issue 1A.
Section 2: Adoption of this resolution may be reported or distributed only through
established, customary means, other than paid advertising, by which information about
other proceedings of the Town Council is regularly provided to the public.
Section 3: This resolution is effective upon adoption.
INTRODUCED, PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town
Council of the Town of Vail held this 17th day of October, 2017
A11ave Chap , , V
I
Mayor of the Town of ail, Colorado