Fremont and El Paso County officials last week testified in support of a measure now in the Colorado House of Representatives that would provide another finance option for public safety needs. HB 1344, sponsored by Colorado Springs Representative Mike Merrifield, would allow counties to seek voter approval of up to two percent additional sales tax in excess of the present 6.9 percent sales tax limit under state law. The additional sales tax revenue could only be used for public safety improvements including operational expenses for law enforcement, District Attorneys, judicial purposes, fire protection, and emergency management.
El Paso County Sheriff Terry Makita helped draft the bill which was heard before the House Local Government Committee last Thursday. Joining Makita in testifying in support of the bill were El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark, Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker, Fremont County Commission Chairman Ed Norden, and officials from Larimer County. All three counties are experiencing problems with overcrowded jails.
Sheriff Beicker and Commissioner Norden explained to the committee that the property tax proposal put forward to Fremont County voters last November to open Fremont County’s now empty 96 bed jail addition was the only option available. Norden said voters repeatedly questioned officials before and after the election as to why a sales tax proposal was not placed on the ballot. Beicker said HB 1344 would simply give voters an option to consider a sales tax increase instead of just a property tax.
The bill was approved by the Local Government committee on a unanimous 10 – 0 vote. District 21 Representative Bob Gardner of Colorado Springs said he initially had his doubts about legislation that would permit sales taxes in excess of the 6.9 percent limit. But Gardner said given the support shown from officials in his District in both El Paso and Fremont Counties and the revenue options it would open up, he decided to support the measure. The bill was laid over on second reading on the House floor Tuesday (April 3rd).
El Paso County Sheriff Terry Makita helped draft the bill which was heard before the House Local Government Committee last Thursday. Joining Makita in testifying in support of the bill were El Paso County Commissioner Sallie Clark, Fremont County Sheriff Jim Beicker, Fremont County Commission Chairman Ed Norden, and officials from Larimer County. All three counties are experiencing problems with overcrowded jails.
Sheriff Beicker and Commissioner Norden explained to the committee that the property tax proposal put forward to Fremont County voters last November to open Fremont County’s now empty 96 bed jail addition was the only option available. Norden said voters repeatedly questioned officials before and after the election as to why a sales tax proposal was not placed on the ballot. Beicker said HB 1344 would simply give voters an option to consider a sales tax increase instead of just a property tax.
The bill was approved by the Local Government committee on a unanimous 10 – 0 vote. District 21 Representative Bob Gardner of Colorado Springs said he initially had his doubts about legislation that would permit sales taxes in excess of the 6.9 percent limit. But Gardner said given the support shown from officials in his District in both El Paso and Fremont Counties and the revenue options it would open up, he decided to support the measure. The bill was laid over on second reading on the House floor Tuesday (April 3rd).