Open lands supporters weigh in on user-fee proposal
By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News
A small group of Fort Collins area residents nixed the idea of user fees
for county open lands purchased with sales tax revenue. They did, however,
urge the county to install donation boxes as more open spaces are opened
to public use.
The Larimer County Open Lands Advisory Board hosted the May 19 meeting
because the open lands program may have to dip into its maintenance fund
reserves by 2007, and the reserve fund could disappear by 2013.
The meeting served two purposes--to let people know what the future holds
and to get their ideas for solving potential problems.
The Fort Collins group clearly reminded county staff and board members
that voters who supported the open lands sales tax believed there would
be no user fees. It's a matter of honoring voter trust, they said.
The county has two sites ready to open within a year. The Fossil Creek
Reservoir area, a prime spot for birding south of Fort Collins, will open
to public use in October; Eagle's Nest south of Livermore will open in
early 2005. Devil's Backbone near Loveland has been open some time, but
there is no user fee.
Open lands director K-Lynn Cameron noted that management costs range from
$148 to $430 per acre, depending on use and amenities. The ballot measure
that created the open space sales tax says the county can use up to 30
percent of revenues for maintenance. The county is currently putting the
maximum amount in the reserve fund.
The open space sales tax is set to expire in 2018, but county residents
will likely put an extension measure on the ballot before then.
Following are some revenue-raising suggestions from citizens:
- Find a way to charge out-of-county residents who use the open spaces.
- Charge for group tours at open spaces.
- Keep amenities simple so that management costs are closer to $148 per
acre.
- Consider amending the ballot--maybe around 2010--to increase the percentage
of revenue that can be used for maintenance.
Any group wanting to hear more about the open lands program and maintenance
concerns may schedule a presentation by calling Cameron at 679-4575.
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