What should I expect to see on the ballot?

SALES AND USE TAX OF THE CITY OF FLORENCE TO REMAIN AT 0.5%

SHALL THE CITY OF FLORENCE’S EXISTING 0.5% SALES AND USE TAX, SCHEDULED TO SUNSET ON DECEMBER 31, 2025, BE EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 2035, WITH ALL REVENUE TO BE USED EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, RECONSTRUCTION, REPAIR, AND MAINTENANCE OF STREETS AND OTHER PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY WITHIN THE CITY; AND SHALL THE CITY BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN, AND SPEND SUCH REVENUE AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE UNDER ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION?

YES___         

NO____

How much does the current sales and use tax collect?

The current sales and use tax collects approximately $357,000.00 annually.

What programs does the city fund using the sales and use tax?

The city uses sales and use tax proceeds to fund maintenance for roads and other public infrastructure in the city. The city also spends some of the funds on improving and expanding roads and other public infrastructure in the city’s right of way.

How does the city's sales tax compare to other cities?

Pueblo imposes a 3.70% sales tax. Cañon City imposes a 3.30% sales tax. Westcliffe imposes a 3.00% sales tax. Coal Creek, Rockvale, and Williamsburg do not impose a sales tax. Source: Colorado Sales Tax Lookup Tool.

How long will this tax be in effect?

If the ballot issue passes, the sales and use tax will be extended for ten (10) years. In 2035, the city will have to bring another ballot issue to extend the sales tax, or it will sunset on December 31, 2035.

What will happen if the ballot issue does not pass?

The sales and use tax will sunset on December 31, 2025. This means that the city will no longer collect the sales and use tax in 2026 and going forward.

½ Cent Sales Tax Summary (expenditures 1/1/2016 through 7/2025)

                Culverts                                                                              $ 42,866.06

                Asphalt Patching                                                            $  43,808.99

                Street Striping                                                                  $  44,125.17     

                Other Street Expenses                                                 $  66,861.72

                ADA Sidewalk Improvements                                   $  212,105.42

                Sidewalk Improvements                                             $  88,594.53

                Gravel                                                                                  $ 79,489.30

                Major Street Improvements                                      $ 1,187,369.15

TOTAL STREET IMPROVEMENT EXPENDITURES              $ 1,765,220.34

TOTAL COLLECTED (2016 THROUGH 6/2025)                 $  2,134,854.42

First Full Fiscal Year Estimates:

Estimated 2026 tax authorized by Ballot issue:  $316,000.

Total City Fiscal Year Earnings: