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Taxes, rec district to come before Grand County voters

Hank Shell
hshell@skyhidailynews.com

A new recreation district, municipal broadband and a tax increase for transportation are a few of the issues that voters around Grand County will decide on this November.

In the Fraser Valley, Fraser and Winter Park residents will decide on a new sales tax increase to fund a year-round public transit system.

Winter Park is seeking an additional 2 percent sales tax starting Dec. 1 while Fraser seeks another 1 percent tax starting Jan. 1.



Revenue from the tax increases will also go toward public trail improvements.

The Town of Winter Park announced in May that it planned to take over operation of Winter Park Resort’s shuttle system and convert it into a year-round transit system.



The system will serve both Winter Park and Fraser.

The increases would generate revenues of around $2 million in Winter Park and $400,000 in Fraser.

Residents will also decide whether the two towns retain the power to establish municipal broadband networks.

Senate Bill 152, passed in 2005, prohibits local governments from providing broadband, though voters can choose to opt out of the legislation.

Both town boards decided in August to bring the issue to voters.

West Grand

In the West Grand School District, Jeremy Bock, Travis Hoesli, Michele DeSanti and Rose Gamblin are running for three open seats on the school board. Each seat has a four-year term.

Voters within the proposed Three Rivers Park and Recreation District will decide whether that district will be formed and vote on its board of directors.

Referred Measure 5A asks voters to decide on a property tax increase fund the district’s operations, maintenance and capital expenses.

Referred Measure 5B will decide whether the district is authorized to collect and receive charges, fees, grants and other sources of revenue.

Electors who own property within the district that is not labeled “ag” by the county assessor’s office should have received an application to apply for a property owner’s ballot, according to the clerk and recorder’s office.

Anyone in the proposed district who is registered to vote on a property labeled “ag” that is larger than 40 acres or who is registered on a smaller “ag” property and opted out of the district will not have the district questions and candidates on their ballots.

The Grand County Board of Commissioners approved a revised service plan from the district in August after the district’s largest tax contributor opted out.

Though organizers had hoped to construct a pool facility in Kremmling, the district’s primary mission has shifted to organizing recreational programs and services in western Grand County.

TABOR

All Grand County voters will get the chance to weigh in on Proposition BB, which pertains to a state marijuana tax refund under TABOR.

Voters must decide whether the state will keep $66 million in marijuana tax revenue or refund the money.

Ballots

The Grand County Clerk and Recorder’s Office mailed ballots to all active registered voters on Oct. 13 and will mail replacement ballots through Oct. 26.

Non-registered voters can apply to the clerk and recorder’s office

Ballots may be picked up through Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Grand County will operate a voter service and polling center at the county administration building Oct. 12 through Nov. 2, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The center will be open Oct. 31 from 8 am to noon and Nov. 3 from 7 am to 7 p.m.

Voters can drop ballots off during these hours or at six additional drop-off locations.

Drop-off locations at Grand Lake Town Hall, the CSU Extension Hall in Kremmling, Granby Town Hall and Fraser Town Hall on Oct. 29 and 30 and Nov. 2 from 2 p.m to 6 p.m., and Tuesday, Nov. from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

An additional drop-off location at Church of the Eternal Hills will be open on Nov. 2 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

All ballots must be submitted by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 to be counted.


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