Hopes for City Improvements Cut Short

By Tara DeMuth

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — City officials met Tuesday night to discuss economic health, high performing government and environmental health in the proposed recommended budget for 2011 to 2012.

In the third of four work sessions, the City Council discussed the positive uses of the budget and the items that, because of a lack of money, were unable to be funded. In the meeting, the community had the opportunity to give input and ask clarifying questions about the three specific budget issues discussed.

In the discussion on economic health, officials felt positively about the potential revenues from visitation and the Fort Collins/Loveland Airport. Ballot issue 2B, which would bring revenues through an increased sales tax, was another positive discussion in the meeting.

For visitor services, the community has focused on increasing visitation by using both print and electronic forms of recognition. They have also held brewery tours and baseball and softball youth tournaments to bring families to the city. The hope, as discussed by Jim Clark of the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau, is for Fort Collins to become a competitive travel destination like Estes Park, Breckenridge and Boulder.

According to some estimates, an $85,000 contribution to the Fort Collins/Loveland Airport is expected to increase revenue and generate income. Further, the approximate .85 percent increase in sales tax from 2B, if 2B is passed in the November elections, is expected to contribute around $18.5 million to the city per year. Money would be used on roads, transportation, police and fire services.

These additional funds are important to the city because, currently, there is a lack of funds for many programs. One such reduction is the decrease in funding for the District One police services that serve the northeast section of the city.

Jim Szakmeister, from the District One police services, discussed the issue of budget restraints. With the lack of funds, crime prevention specialists have been dropped and funding for alarms has decreased. The concerns that arose from this discussion were that of the safety to the city and hidden costs. Community members were concerned, with the reduction in alarms, that there would be more safety concerns. Further, the concern of a lack of adequate response sources leading to damages was also discussed.

Under high performing government, there was discussion on a decrease in staffing positions and a lack of funding for building maintenance and repair.

Because of the decreased levels in staffing, it has been a struggle to respond to comments from the public and the council, called SARS. Further, as a result of the lack of funds to the city, the repairs to buildings have been postponed and some buildings are continuing to deteriorate.

The final topic discussed was environmental health. This discussion included input on purchases that would implement renewable energy, recycling, and water and waste water utilities. However, enhancing parks, environmental improvements and solar gardens were examples of items that would have a reduction in funds.

In all, the atmosphere was split between those positive about future budget and those negative about the cuts that were proposed.

In the eyes of Darin Atteberry, the city manager, however, the city is constantly doing its best to address issues and focus on improvements to the city.