By Jaime Tavarez
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Fort Collins City Council met with detailed discussion on the purposed budget for the New Year, including the proposal of the cities increase sales-tax, 2B.
“Fort Collins has a healthy, sustainable economy reflecting the values of our unique community in a changing world,” said Chief Financial Advisor, Mike Freeman.
In order to maintain that image, city council is discussing a 0.85 sales-tax increase bringing revenue of $18.5 million a year, according to some sources.
With this proposal, Fort Collins will have a more expensive tax then the surrounding areas including Loveland Centerra, but lower than those of Denver. City believes that consumers will be forced, in a way to abide by such increased tax, because the cost of going out of the city will be much more than just paying the new sales-tax.
According to City Manager, Darin Attnbury, The revenues of this proposal will be used for “the pressing and long-term needs” of fire, police and city recreation.
The current sales-tax in Fort Collins is the second lowest among the Front Range cities and has not been increased since 1982. With unfunded city resources this is the only answer according to many to increase the “healthy, sustainable economy” of Fort Collins.
I thought that this was really well written. It was concise and to the point, but contained enough information for the reader to really grasp what is going on. I liked that you had quotes in your story. I thought that it was really hard to get quoted material at the meeting, so its good that you were able to get that material. The only thing that I maybe would’ve added is more on some of the cuts that are going to take place with this new proposed budget. You hinted at the fact that there are substantial lack of funds, but it would have been good to add specifics about what was being reduced and how these reductions would impact the community.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great writing style that provides clear information and is easy to read. I liked how you focused on the 2B issue and provided great facts on it. I would have liked to see more information on how that tax could help/hurt the Fort Collins area.
ReplyDeleteshort simple and sweet.... :)
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