City Council will consider setting the city’s property tax mill levy at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, for taxes due next year.
The agenda item shows Council will be asked to set the mill rate at 3.579 mills, while allowing for a temporary tax credit of .7 mills. The city’s property tax revenue comprises a small portion of its revenue — roughly $26 million — but nonetheless would fund Mayor Yemi Mobolade’s 2024 budget that totals some $901 million.
If approved, that mill rate translates to about $96 in taxes on a $400,000 house in Colorado Springs.
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City Attorney’s office recommends city represent cops in lawsuit
The City Attorney’s Office proposes the city fund representation of several police officers who have been named in a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Colorado on behalf of a citizen and the Chinook Center.
Read about the allegations in the lawsuit here.
In a memo to Council, the City Attorney’s Office and the Civil Action Investigation Committee recommends the city defend the officers, saying, “They all were acting in the course and scope of their employment and not in a willful and wanton manner.”
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Another down month for sales tax
The city reports sales and use tax fell by 1.2 percent for the month of October compared to October 2022, making the year-to-date total .31 percent lower than last year.
The city has collected $183.8 million so far this year from the 2 percent tax, compared to $184.4 million for the same period last year.
The city’s road tax also was down, as was the Public Safety Sales Tax and the Trails, Open Space and Parks tax.
The Lodger’s and Auto Rental Tax, though, inched up by 1.54 percent in October compared to the same month a year ago, and so far this year stands at nearly $8.1 million — 1.62 percent more than a year ago.
Industries showing declines included building materials; furniture, appliances and electronics; and medical marijuana.
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In Forest Service news….
The U.S. Forest Service is open for business in selling Christmas tree permits. You can get one online here.
Sales for the Pikes Peak Ranger District will begin Nov. 24 online and be available Nov. 27 at the district office between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $10 per tree for the San Carlos, Salida and Leadville Ranger Districts and $20 per tree for the South Park, South Platte and Pikes Peak Ranger Districts.
The Recreation.gov site has maps of designated cutting areas as well as tips for selecting and cutting trees, the Forest Service says in a release. Permitted dates and areas vary so it is important to carefully read all the information prior to purchasing a permit.
As part of the national Every Kid Outdoors initiative, all 4th graders are eligible to receive one complimentary Christmas tree permit from their local national forest. For students to receive a free tree permit, they must present a valid paper voucher printed from the Every Kid Outdoors website. For further information, visit everykidoutdoors.gov and follow instructions to obtain and print the paper voucher.
When venturing out to cut a Christmas tree in the forest, bring a printed copy of the permit along with a paper map as cell service may be spotty or unavailable. Keep in mind that Forest Service roads are generally not plowed and some roads close seasonally. Handsaws and axes are the only tools allowed — chainsaws are prohibited. Dress in warm layers, bring a rope to secure the tree to the vehicle and enjoy the tradition.
In addition, the Forest Service announced in a release that it will be working on damage caused by the July 20, 2023, tornado that touched down on the northern slopes of Pikes Peak, resulting in extensive tree damage along the Pikes Peak Highway between mile markers 5 and 8.
Meteorologists estimate the storm reached wind speeds over 110 mph along its 2.18-mile path, the release said. As the tornado moved east, it crossed through Crystal Creek Reservoir before crossing back over the Pikes Peak Highway and finally lifting at mile marker 5.
No injuries were sustained in the tornado, and the damage to the area is minimal.
In partnership with the City of Colorado Springs Utilities and Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain, the Forest Service will work with Stewardship West, a nonprofit shared stewardship contractor, to remove uprooted and damaged trees across approximately 200 acres of National Forest System land. Concurrently but independently of Forest Service work, Colorado Springs Utilities is conducting similar work on their lands in the tornado-stricken area. Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain’s role in this project is maintaining the safety and security for guests, staff and the contractors working in the area. Work is set to begin the week of Now. 27 and will continue into early spring 2024.
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Donelson plans town hall
Donelson will be all ears on Nov. 29.
City Councilor Dave Donelson, who represents the northwest District 1, will hold a town hall meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the East Branch Library, 5550 N. Union Boulevard.
A representative of the Colorado Springs Police Department will also be on hand.
By the way, city offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 23 and 24 for Thanksgiving.
El Paso County offices will close on Thanksgiving Day and Friday, but the District Attorney’s Office and the courthouse will be open on Friday.
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If it’s free, it’s for me
If you’re looking for a freebie to kick off the holiday, be aware that the Air Force Academy Band will present its annual “Holly and Ivy” holiday concert series in Colorado Springs at the Pikes Peak Center on Dec. 11 and 12, the Broadmoor World Arena, which manages the center, said in a release.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. each night.
These concerts are free and open to the public. Tickets are suggested. However, patrons without tickets will be seated in any available seat 15 minutes before showtime. Tickets are available for pickup at the Pikes Peak Center Box Office beginning Nov. 25.
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El Paso County Democratic Party meeting
The local Democratic Party will conduct a post mortem on the 2023 school board elections at 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 1120 N. Circle Drive, Suite 10.
Highlights will hit on:
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Understanding the Election Outcomes — A journey from November 2021 to the present, mapping the events that shaped the school board elections
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Dissecting Contributing Factors — Delving into what influenced these results and why
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Key Stakeholders Revealed — Identifying who was involved and their roles in these events
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Objectives and Agendas — Uncovering what the key players aim to achieve
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Crafting Our Strategy — Collaboratively building effective countermeasures and responses
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Seeking holiday gift volunteers
Thirty-eight families are still on the list for gifts from a partnership between Pikes Peak United Way and Harrison School District 2, the United Way said in a release.
This time of year can present challenges for many families in the Pikes Peak region, the release said. Through the Adopt A Family program, people can provide some holiday cheer for families from 19 schools in Harrison School District 2.
Sign up here.
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Help journalists
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