Greeley 0.6% sales and use tax for civic campus and Catalyst projects

Some in support say that:

• Ballot Issue 2F provides a responsible, dedicated investment in Greeley’s future by creating a funding source for major civic, recreation, cultural, park, trail, pool, and public-space improvements across the community.

• The measure increases the City Sales and Use Tax by 0.6%, equal to 60 cents on a $100 purchase, while excluding City sales tax on food. It is estimated to generate $20 million in the first year.

• Revenue will support the Downtown Civic Campus, including a City Hall, public plaza, parking garage, and related infrastructure; the West Greeley project; and recreational, cultural, service, park, playground, swimming-pool, trail, and outdoor-space projects throughout Greeley.

• New sales tax revenue will provide necessary maintenance on critical City properties, including parks, recreation, and treasured revenue-producing facilities. Funds will also support the new Civic Center Campus and downtown Greeley.

• This dedicated revenue source helps preserve existing City revenues for streets, other City facilities, capital improvements, and deferred maintenance and long-term community priorities, rather than forcing essential needs to compete for the same limited funds.

• The measure includes accountability because expenditures are subject to independent review by a citizens committee.

• The measure is time limited. The additional tax ends when the financing for the Downtown Civic Campus and West Greeley projects, including any refunding, is paid in full, no later than December 31, 2067.

• Greeley’s growth requires thoughtful investment in the public facilities, parks, recreation, infrastructure, and community gathering spaces.

• The new revenue will help keep financing costs lower, and support Greeley’s credit rating in the future.

Some in opposition say that:

• Ballot Issue 2F will make life more expensive for Greeley residents by increasing sales and use taxes in Greeley for 40 years.

• Families struggle to make ends meet, and an additional tax would make life less affordable in Greeley. This tax would increase the cost of a new or used car, clothing, furniture, electronics, and more.

• Adding new sales and use taxes would increase costs for small businesses when purchasing building supplies, software, or supplies and harm the local economy.

• The City is collecting more sales tax revenue than in previous years.

• Using public sales tax revenues to subsidize a private commercial entertainment complex sets a precedent and could lead to more tax-increase requests rather than requiring private entities to secure independent financing.

• Civic campus, parks and recreation, road maintenance, and other city improvements projects should not be combined with a commercial entertainment development in a single ballot measure. This encourages voters to approve the whole package.

• Funding allocations are disproportionate as new tax revenues must first cover the escalating costs of the Catalyst entertainment project, including the hockey arena, hotel, and water park, with no guarantee that revenue will remain for other neighborhood civic projects.

• Expenses for the development have increased by tens of millions of dollars.

• The current economic environment is volatile, creating risk for the City to invest public tax dollars into a commercial venue relying on consumer disposable income. An economic downturn could leave Greeley with long-term financial liabilities.

• Terms are unfavorable under existing agreements and Greeley taxpayers bear the burden of funding and owning the facility while a substantial portion of operational revenue, including portions of ticket sales, luxury boxes, and food and beverage sales, is diverted to the private hockey team and developer.