Council reviews polling on two potential 2025 ballot measures; directs staff to pursue CCRS extension without sunset

Boulder City Council reviewed a 400-response, statistically valid poll on June 6 that tested public support for two potential 2025 ballot measures: (1) extending the city’s 0.3% Community, Culture, Resilience & Safety (CCRS) sales and use tax beyond its current sunset, and (2) creating an expanded public-realm parks and improvements property tax increase.

Polling results and council direction

Probolsky Research presented the results. The poll found majority support for extending the CCRS tax: roughly 61% of likely voters said they would support a permanent extension in the survey. Support rose to the mid-60s in split-sample message testing, the consultant said. By contrast, the proposed public-realm/property-tax increase (raising the permanent parks mill levy from 0.9 mills to 2.252 mills in the poll wording) performed near or below majority support in the survey; message testing increased favorability but did not produce a decisive margin.

Council decision

After questions from council on method and representation, council members directed staff to move forward with preparing ballot language and next steps for an extension of the CCRS 0.3% tax without a sunset clause. Council did not direct staff to advance the public-realm/property-tax proposal for the 2025 ballot; several members said it might be revisited in a later year after additional analysis and outreach.

Polling context and caveats

- Sample and turnout: The consultant emphasized the poll tested likely voters, who are typically older and less diverse than the full resident population; about 2% of respondents used Spanish-language survey options. Staff and council raised concerns about limited sample size for some underrepresented groups and asked to target further outreach for equity in future engagement.

- Messaging effects: The poll included message testing showing that specific descriptions of intended uses — roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, repairs to civic buildings and a quantified backlog — increased support for the CCRS extension. The consultant advised a robust, neutral public information campaign to explain how funds would be used.

Next steps

Council asked staff to draft ballot language and follow legal requirements for the CCRS extension and to continue the multi-year long-term financial strategy work stream. Staff picked up the direction and said they would prepare materials to support council decision points before finalizing a July ballot or calendar planning decision.