Vote Yes on 2A for Trails and Yampa River Park

 Vote yes on ballot item 2A during Steamboat Springs’ all mail ballot election occurring Oct. 15 through Nov. 5, 2013,  which will allocate the 1% accommodations tax funds over the next 10 years to two amenities that will bring more visitors to Steamboat Springs and provide increased and improved access to outdoor recreation.

Please visit the informational websites on each project to learn more about how the Yampa River Promenade and the Steamboat Springs Trails Alliance master plan will enhance our community.

Yampa River Promenade

Steamboat Springs Trails Alliance

Here is how the estimated fund allocations will break down between the two projects:

• This is not a new tax and will not raise your taxes

• This is an existing tax generated by visitor lodging revenue

• Your yes vote dedicates the funds to:
• Trails expansion
•  Acquisition of Yampa Riverfront park space

• Your yes vote provides community enhancement through:
• Increased and improved access to outdoor recreation
• The creation of public amenities for residents and visitors to enjoy

• Your yes vote increases Steamboat Springs’ appeal as a world-class outdoor destination

This is the language you’ll encounter when you receive your ballot in the mail the week of Oct. 15, 2013:

“VOTE YES OR NO ON THE FOLLOWING”

“SHALL THE CITY OF STEAMBOAT SPRINGS BE OBLIGATED TO A MULTIPLE- FISCAL YEAR OBLIGATION BY ALLOCATING, FOR THE NEXT TEN FISCAL YEARS, THE REVENUES FROM THE EXISTING PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS TAX (TAX REVENUES), ON A FISCAL YEAR BASIS, AS FOLLOWS: (A) THE FIRST $600,000.00 OF TAX REVENUES TO BE SPLIT ON A 50%-50% BASIS BETWEEN (I) THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAILS IN AND AROUND THE CITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRAILS ALLIANCE PROPOSAL AND (II) IMPROVEMENTS TO YAMPA STREET IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE YAMPA STREET RIVER PARK PROPOSAL, UNTIL THE TOTAL ALLOCATION TO THE IMPROVEMENTS ON YAMPA STREET REACHES $900,000.00, THEREAFTER 100% OF THE FIRST $600,000.00 OF TAX REVENUES SHALL BE SPENT ON DEVELOPMENT OF TRAILS; (B) THE NEXT $60,000.00 OF TAX REVENUES TO BE SPLIT ON A 50%-50% BASIS BETWEEN (I) MARKETING OF THE TOURIST RELATED IMPROVEMENTS CONSTRUCTED WITH TAX REVENUES AND (II) RESERVES FOR THE HAYMAKER GOLF COURSE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; AND (C) ANY TAX REVENUES IN EXCESS OF $660,000.00 MAY BE SPENT AT THE DISCRETION OF CITY COUNCIL ON PROJECTS AUTHORIZED BY THE 1986 PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS TAX BALLOT QUESTION.

Arguments for:

1)      This is not a new tax and it is not a tax on the residents of Steamboat Springs.  Steamboat Springs currently charges an accommodations tax, which is a tax paid for by visitors on nightly rentals of hotel and similar rooms.

2)      Funds from the accommodations tax will be invested in the expansion of trails and property for a Yampa Riverfront Park.  The creation of public amenities for residents and visitors will increase Steamboat’s appeal as a world-class outdoor destination, thus increasing tourism. These amenities will be attractive and used during Steamboat’s slower fall and spring seasons when the economy could use increased tourism dollars.

3)      Ballot item 2A ensures funding for significant community enhancement for a 10-year period.  This will allow the selected projects to maximize their impact on our resident and visitor experience through the implementation of a long range plan.  www.steamboattrails.org www.yampariverpromenade.com

4)      A prior use of the accommodations tax dollars is the construction of Haymaker Golf Course and the clubhouse, which has been instrumental in providing a high-quality amenity for both residents and visitors.

5)      The construction of trails, open space and parks in and around the Steamboat Springs community is in conformance with numerous goals of the Steamboat Springs Community Area Plan and therefore would help foster the fulfillment of the vision of the Steamboat Springs community as set forth by its residents.