Editorial: Greeley voters should support ballot measures

Greeley enjoys some amazing momentum, as reflected in the “Greeley Unexpected” campaign that highlights people, events and other factors that make the city “an interesting place to live, work, play and learn.”

Add in the fact that the city has exceeded 100,000 in population, has benefited from surging energy, agribusiness and construction sectors, and enjoys the early stages of a downtown revitalization, and it’s easy to see why residents are speaking with more confidence about their community.

That’s why we hope that voters will preserve that momentum by supporting Ballot Measures 2A and 2B during the Nov. 3 election (although mail-in voting is ongoing).

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The 2A Street Improvement Sales Tax would increase sales and use taxes – except on groceries – by 0.65 percent. That 65 cents on a $100 purchase would go toward street maintenance and improvements, sunsetting unless reauthorized by voters in seven years.

The 2B Reauthorization of Sales Tax on Food would extend a current 3.46 percent tax on groceries, with proceeds used for capital maintenance of facilities, parks and streets. The tax was first imposed in 1990 and would sunset unless reauthorized by voters in five years.

Supporters of 2A point to the goal of having 90 percent of city streets attaining the national standard of “good.” Achieving that goal would require $12 million a year. The current food tax generates $6 million annually, with some of those proceeds used for parks and facilities.

The new tax would generate $9.4 million annually; added to the food tax, the city would have the $12 million it needs for street maintenance and improvements, with another $3.5 million left over for parks. If approved, Greeley’s total sales-tax rate would be 7.01 percent, still lower than Fort Collins (7.4 percent), Windsor (7.5 percent), and Centerra-Loveland (7.55 percent).

Street maintenance and improvements would encompass 60 miles of city streets, including some of the most-traveled arterials in the city.

No one likes to pay taxes, but everyone likes well-maintained streets. Dedicated taxes with clear purposes for the public good, with sunsets that enable voters to revisit the issue in the future, are positives.

We hope that Greeley voters see that positive, and maintain the city’s momentum, by supporting 2A and 2B.