This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
LTE: We are not made of money
I was taken aback when I read the city council gave the go-ahead for the ice
rink/pool complex to proceed as a ballot issue. If voters approve in
November, our sales tax may be increased to pay for the $45.5 million ice
rink/pool facility. It is hard to imagine paying this kind of money so a
small minority of the community can ice skate and swim.
Reach 3 of the Resilient Saint Vrain Project (RSVP), or flood control
project, remains unfunded in the tune of $60 million dollars. The city only
has enough money to build RSVP to Sunset Street. Will city council
eventually ask residents for more money to finish the project? The city is
also obligated to make future payments of $48 million for the Windy Gap
Firming project. The total water project cost has escalated by 32% for a
total cost of $55.7 million. At the August 6 study session, city council
will consider increasing our water rates on top of the water rate increase
we are already paying for.
I do not want to pay more water rate increases for a water project with
runaway costs. Nor do I want to pay more in sales tax for a frivolous ice
rink/pool complex. City council members should have exercised better
judgment before moving forward with these expensive projects. Residents are not ATM machines from which city council can make frequent withdrawals. How many more sales taxes and water and electric rate increases will residents have to endure before city council realizes we are not made of money?
Ruby Bowman
Longmont, CO 80501
