By Erin Eastburn
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Economic stress became visible at the Fort Collins City Council meeting, Tuesday October 12.
Areas under discussion for financial backing and budget cuts became apparent during Tuesdays meeting. From the decrease of financial backing, the economic crisis has become a harsh set-back to the Fort Collins community.
Though, throughout the meeting, many council members could not drop the hope of ballot measure 2B-involving sales tax increases if passed in the upcoming Novembers elections. 2B, according to some sources, has been generated to increase sales tax by .85 percent to generate funds for Fort Collins economic health, high performing government and environmental health resources. Chief Financial Officer, Mike Freeman, discussed the core programs still funded and the financial cuts the city took to these three city resources.
In the area of economic health, the core programs being funded are city parking and maintained in downtown Fort Collins, Police District number one, and the Fort Collins/ Loveland Airport.
City Manager, Darin Atteberrry said, “There is a lot of activity and foot traffic in down town. Vendors are partially responsible for part of the clean up but this will be a significant impact to that environment.”
Another area under speculation for budget cuts is high performing government. The total budget for this area of the Fort Collins city budget includes more than $73 million. Since the economic crisis began to affect the city in 2007 the budget from this area has decrease significantly.
Freeman said, “Fort Collins exemplifies an efficient, innovative, transparent, effective and collaborative city government.”
Funding for this area of the budget is used for replacing funds for facilities and equipment, building repair and maintenance.
Freeman said, “This is the part of the budget that is used to maintain the operating quality and visual quality of government run programs.”
These programs include the Fort Collins bus system, which involves the buses and other maintained services.
Though, discussed at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, the council discussed how many government run programs, like transportation is inefficient and needs serious improvements. Many maintenance issues are being ignored and are delayed to save funds, which should not be happening according to Ken Mannon, the Operation Services Director.
In addition to the economic and government budgets, the council discussed environmental health budget. Currently at $65 million, the council plans to utilize this department to cover the immediate needs of residents.
Areas that continue to be funded are basics to providing a clean and sanitary community. These areas include, energy efficiency, recycling, environmental planning and waste control. Reductions include West Nile virus mosquito control and solar power.
The council focused on providing the most support to the Fort Collins residents. From their selection of what to financially back, they believed these areas immediately affected the people who live in the Fort Collins city limits.
Since the effects of the economic downturn in 2007, funds have continued to be cut. Though, if 2B was to pass, it would bring in an estimated $18.5 million a year in revenue, according to some external sources. This extra budget could provide financial backing to the Fort Collins tourism and maintenance programs.
First, I really loved how you opened with a lead that was different than everyone else's. It was engaging and informative, and yet it didn't just dryly explain the topics discussed throughout the meeting. I thought you gave information about the meeting in a way that was very easy to understand while still managing to include only the crucial points of the meeting. One suggestion I would make however, would be to move the very last paragraph about 2B up to the top where you first mentioned the bill. I think it would help out the flow of the article a little bit and maintain the pyramid style of writing. Great job!
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