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LTE: 3C will not create a new tax

"It’s not a tax! The bond issue is secured from the revenue stream created by the city stormwater fee that’s already on your utility bill."
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St. Vrain Greeway project

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I want to thank the voters of Longmont for all their responsible votes in the past on city infrastructure proposals. You are the reason that Longmont has the best and most reliable infrastructure in the state. You may be divided on many things, but you voted reliably for the important stuff that has kept our city safe, and with working lights, world-class broadband, healthy and reliable tap water, and sewer and stormwater systems that protect our health and our environment.

Another of those just plain housekeeping ballot questions will be on the November 2022 ballot. Most of you will receive your mail-in (or drop-off) ballots this week: the first mailings begin Monday, October 17. Yes, I’m talking about Ballot Question 3C: Revenue Bonds to Fund Resilient St. Vrain Project Improvements. 

For just another infrastructure question, there’s been a lot of questioning about this measure. It’s really not controversial, and it’s hard to think of a reason to vote against it. Here are reasons to vote YES.

1. It’s not a tax! The bond issue is secured from the revenue stream created by the city stormwater fee that’s already on your utility bill. There’s no proposal to increase that fee.

2. The uses for the money are clearly defined. The bonds will finance the Hover phase of the Resilient St. Vrain Project — Longmont’s recovery from the flood of 2013. This is the last phase of a long project, and will finally enable the full completion (to the west) of our beloved St. Vrain Greenway.

3. It’s the right and responsible thing to do. Until this phase is completed, a lot of lower-income housing is still in the flood plain and at risk if there’s another big flood event. This includes the Royal Mobile Home Park, where the City had to replace 15 homes in 2013-14, and where we came closest to having a fatality from the flood.

Here’s a link to all the information you could ask for about what this project entails.
https://www.longmontcolorado.gov/departments/departments-n-z/water/stormwater-drainage/resilient-st-vrain

Thanks again for being a responsible Longmont voter, and supporting our City as it supports us.

 

Marcia Martin

Marcia Martin represents Ward 2 (South Side) on the Longmont City Council. The Council has endorsed Ballot Question 3C and passed a resolution urging residents to support the measure.