Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ballot Measures topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lafayette staff float pool tax extension for voters; council asks for more data
Summary
City staff briefed council on a potential ballot question to extend a mill levy to support maintenance and operations at the Great Outdoors water park and lap pool; council asked for revenue projections, allowable uses, equity provisions and alternatives before deciding whether to refer the measure.
City staff presented one potential 2026 ballot referral at the March 24 Lafayette City Council meeting: an extension of a mill levy that previously funded bonds for the Great Outdoors water park, with the added aim of funding ongoing operations and capital maintenance for the pool and adjacent facilities.
Chief financial officer Heather Balzer told the council the original general obligation bonds for Los Monts/La Monteaux (the Great Outdoors water park) were issued in 2014, with projects completed in 2018 and debt service scheduled to retire in 2026. "This extension would be a dedicated source of funds to maintain and operate the facility, which is currently funded through the general fund, conservation trust fund, and fees," Balzer said.
Staff answered a range of council questions. Council members asked how much revenue an extension would generate, whether the measure could support sustainability upgrades (for example, irrigation and shade that reduce water use), whether revenues could support discounted access for low‑income residents, and whether the extension would be for a fixed term or in perpetuity. Staff said details on rates, term length and permissible uses would be developed if council wanted to continue exploring the concept; the deadline to certify ballot language with Boulder County is Sept. 4.
Several councilors emphasized sensitivity to taxpayers and the crowded nature of the November ballot. One councilor asked whether continuing the levy at the same mill rate would, in practice, represent a tax increase for households that had been budgeting for expiration. Another asked for analysis of the cost of deferring repairs and of alternative revenue strategies, and suggested staff include potential equity measures (discounts or expanded programming) in future proposals.
Staff characterized the March 24 briefing as an early, nonbinding discussion and the council directed staff to continue developing cost, term and use scenarios for future consideration rather than making an immediate referral. Staff also noted other ballot topics council may want to study, including ranked‑choice voting and possible charter amendments, and said the city will coordinate with county elections officials on feasibility and timing.
