November ballot issue would lower Larimer County jail tax

FORT COLLINS – In November, Larimer County voters will decide whether to extend the sales tax that supports the county jail for 15 years – at a lower rate than the current tax.

The Board of Larimer County Commissioners decided Thursday to ask voters to repeal the soon-to-expire 0.40 percent tax and replace it with 0.375 percent tax to be collected through 2026.

The current jail sales tax, which is paying for completed construction projects, jail operation and maintenance, is actually two separate 0.20 percent sales taxes. One is set to expire next year, while the other is set to drop down to 0.15 percent in 2012 before ending completely in 2014.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Water Wars: Thornton’s struggle and triumph in obtaining Pipeline Permits

Lyons Gaddis understands the complexities and challenges of water and real estate law. This case illustrates an important principle of building water projects: “It never gets easier.”

The question on the November ballot would instead replace both existing sales taxes with a single tax that would take effect Jan. 1, 2012, and not expire in stages. By lowering the overall rate, the county will collect an estimated $1 million less per year over the life of the tax, or $15 million total, but would be able to operate the jail at its current level, add 48 beds and save $21.9 million by 2026, according to staff estimates.

County staff is drafting ballot language for the commissioners’ approval before the end of August, ahead of the deadline for the issue to appear on the ballot for the Nov. 1 election.