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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