HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-33 Support VRD Ballot Question to Increase Property TaxesRESOLUTION NO. 33
SERIES OF 2017
RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE VAIL PARK AND RECREATION
DISTRICT BALLOT ISSUE AT THE NOVEMBER 7, 2017 SPECIAL ELECTION
WHEREAS, the Town of Vail (the "Town"), in the County of Eagle and State of Colorado
is a home rule municipal corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Colorado and the Town Charter;
WHEREAS, the members of the Town Council of the Town (the "Council") have been
duly elected and qualified;
WHEREAS, when Vail's electorate voted in 1994 to separate the mil levy for Vail Parks
and Recreation District from the Town of Vail, the VRD's tax base became less sustainable over
time; and
WHEREAS, the Vail Park and Recreation District ("VRD") Board of Directors (the
"Board") has determined that the interest of VRD and the public interest and necessity require
that VRD increase its property tax levy;
WHEREAS, VRD's Board further has determined that it is necessary to submit to the
eligible electors of VRD the question of authorizing VRD to increase its property tax levy at the
election to be held on November 7, 2017 as "Ballot Issue A";
WHEREAS, VRD operates and manages facilities and provides services to the Vail
community; since the VRD was created as a special district separate from the Town of Vail, it
has substantially increased programming and taken management of new facilities to keep up
with growing resident and guest demand; this has resulted in increased costs;
WHEREAS, under its current tax constraints, VRD faces a gap in its ability to pay the
capital costs of its operation; the existing levy was intended to cover operation costs only, not
capital costs; and this operating tax rate has not been increased in the 24 years that the VRD
has grown;
WHEREAS, VRD operates the Vail Golf Club, Dobson Ice Arena, Vail Tennis Center,
Vail Nordic Center, Vail Gymnastics Center, Golden Peak Pickleball Center, Zeke M. Pierce
Skatepark, Vail Athletic Fields, Imagination Station and Community Programming Room, Vail
Nature Center, after-school programs and open gyms at Red Sandstone Elementary School,
summer day camps and sports camps, adult sports leagues, trail running, mountain biking and
whitewater races, art and fitness classes and many of Vail's favorite family events and
tournaments;
WHEREAS, without this increase, rates would have to be increased 35 percent across
the board for all programming and events, which means an annual silver golf pass now costing
$1,000 would increase to $1,350; a softball team's fees would increase from $585 to $789.75
and one day of youth summer camp would increase from $55 to $74;
WHEREAS, new funding would keep the facilities and operations environmentally
friendly for residents and guests, and align the district with the Town of Vail's Sustainable
Destination designation by replacing the inefficient chiller system at Dobson Ice Arena, updating
the restrooms at the Vail Athletic Field, and pursuing solar power and energy saving programs
at each of the VRD facilities;
WHEREAS, keeping VRD's rates affordable will add to Vail's sense of community by
preserving affordable recreational and educational opportunities for Vail's residents, children
and working families;
WHEREAS, the money would replace outdated equipment and address the major repair
backlog to upgrade and renovate facilities, such as updating the bleachers, scoreboards, sound
system and concession at Dobson Ice Arena; the starter house and bridges at the Vail Golf
Club, kids' exhibits at the Imagination Station, and the old Vail Tennis Center building;
WHEREAS, a yes vote on Ballot Issue A is a vote to preserve affordable recreational
opportunities for all of Vail's residents and guests, and to upgrade and maintain safe and
modern facilities for generations to come;
WHEREAS, if passed, Ballot Issue A will provide VRD with an extra 1.000 mill levy,
which results in an annual tax increase of $36 for a house worth $500,000; and
WHEREAS, it is the opinion of the Town Council that increasing VRD's property tax levy
will promote the health, safety and welfare of the entire community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF
VAIL, COLORADO, as follows:
Section 1. The Vail Town Council hereby supports the passage of Ballot Issue A — to
provide the VRD with an extra 1.00 mill levy — and the registered, qualified electors of the Town
of Vail are encouraged to vote yes on Ballot Issue A.
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 of Vail held this 17th day of October, 201
own Council of the
Dave Cha. n, .
Mayor of the Town of ail Colorado