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Cañon City officials direct attorneys to prepare Aug. 17 ballot language to add pool operations to existing 0.3% sales tax
Summary
City and recreation district leaders instructed attorneys to draft ballot language for Aug. 17 that would let voters authorize using the already‑collected 0.3% sales tax for pool operations as well as construction, and agreed to set up an IGA negotiation team to define safeguards and a potential bond cap.
Cañon City and the Cañon City Recreation District on Aug. 5 directed their attorneys to prepare ballot language for an Aug. 17 city council meeting that would allow voters to authorize operations funding, in addition to construction, from the existing 0.3% sales tax.
Mayor Lund framed the meeting’s objective as producing clear, transparent language and next steps: “My goal is to keep this very organized and very much professional,” he said, urging staff to produce materials for the Aug. 17 packet. City staff and the rec district recommended adding operations into the existing tax rather than creating a new levy, arguing that flexibility would help deliver a viable pool within a constrained timeline.
Ryan (city administrator) and Kyle (rec district executive director) told the boards that the recommended approach is to adjust existing ballot language so there would be no new tax rate or mill levy; Ryan explained that “there’d be no new mill levy. The sales tax rate would remain the same as it is today.” Staff also briefed the boards that, if voters do not approve the change, legal and administrative options — potentially including refunds or a waiver request — would need to be considered.
Council members signaled general agreement on sending language to attorneys, but stressed protections to reduce voter perception of a “blank check.” Mayor Pro Tem Schmiescher suggested building a cap into the IGA, proposing language that would prevent bonding more than a specified construction amount. Council member Maloney and Council member Tony both supported keeping the ballot text concise while using the IGA to enshrine protections and transparency.
The boards agreed to form an IGA negotiation team to finalize protections and implementation details. Mayor Lund said the city’s IGA representatives would include the city administrator (Ryan), Council member Amy (quality-of-life chair), and Finance Chair Fred Toney; Cooper and Sean were named as the rec district liaisons pending rec board agreement. Attorneys will draft ballot language, and draft language and packet materials are expected to be published ahead of the Aug. 17 council meeting.
Next procedural step: attorneys will draft the proposed ballot language and the IGA negotiation team will begin meetings; the council will review the language and packet at the Aug. 17 meeting before any referral to the November ballot.
