Issue 1A: Sales tax increase would fund treatment center

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

This November, the Larimer County commissioners will ask voters for a sales tax increase, one they are confident will save taxpayers money in the long run.

Referred Issue 1A on the ballot, approved by the commissioners in September, will ask for a 0.25 percent sales tax increase to fund a treatment facility, a detox center and programs for mental health and substance abuse problems.

The tax, which would amount to 25 cents on a $100 purchase, would raise about $11 million the first year. If approved by voters, the sales tax hike would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2009, and would run in perpetuity.

All county citizens would have access to the treatment programs. However, the impetus for the project came from high recidivism rates at the Larimer County Detention Center among people with substance abuse or mental health problems. Proponents say that 1A would both alleviate suffering and reduce recidivism rates.

According to Gary Darling, the county's criminal justice planning manager, about 3,600 people in Larimer County keep coming back to jail, often three or four times within a three-year period. The reason, he said, is that their underlying substance abuse and mental health issues go untreated and unresolved.

Locally, recidivism rates over three years are 69 percent for those with substance abuse problems, 56 percent for people with mental health issues and 81 percent for people who suffer from both issues.

It is hoped that by making treatment available to these people, they will be more likely to succeed in society and less likely to reoffend.

If recidivism rates go down, Darling said, the jail population could actually decrease, delaying the need for additional space at the detention center. That in turn would save taxpayers millions of dollars in capital costs.

If nothing is done, Darling said, the detention center would likely need to be expanded in about five years. A jail addition would cost $80 million to $90 million, he noted, in addition to operating costs.

Outpatient services would be offered at the proposed facility and could be used by anyone in the county, including juveniles. Fees would be determined at a later date.

"This is not just a jail tax issue," noted Cheryl Olson, who is pushing for passage of 1A.

Olson is part of a high-powered citizens' committee formed to educate county residents and advocate for the sales tax increase. Called Bridge the Gap, the group is co-chaired by Olson, former Larimer County commissioner; Peggy Reeves, former state representative and senator; and Bill Kaufman, former state representative. John Knezovich, former Fort Collins mayor and city council member, is treasurer for the group. He said Bridge the Gap is accepting donations to help fund the education campaign.

"We have a short time frame and a lot of education to do," said Olson. "I want us to think of the people in our county who are suffering."

She noted that nationally one in four people have been affected by substance abuse or a mental health disorder.

"We can no longer keep doing the same thing," Olson stated. "It's time to do the right thing. We need to treat people so they can move forward to recovery and not be stuck."

The new facility would be located on Midpoint Drive, near the detention center. Kaufman said that if voters approve the project, it will take about two and one-half years to complete the facility and get it up and running.

All three county commissioners have been enthusiastic in their endorsement of 1A. "Our jails are full of people who don't belong there," said Commissioner Randy Eubanks.

"It is not acceptable that Larimer County doesn't have a detox center," said Commissioner Kathay Rennels. "We take officers off the street to drive people to Greeley."

When it comes to substance abuse and mental health issues, Rennels said, "right now we don't have a bridge, we have a cliff."

She said she believes there is wide support for the project. "The challenge is not getting people to vote for it, but letting people know it's there to vote for," she said.

At an earlier meeting, Commissioner Glenn Gibson said that reducing recidivism by creating local treatment programs is "financially the most important thing that the county can address."

In 2006, a ballot proposal that would have both expanded the detention center and created treatment programs failed by a large margin in Larimer County. However, a subsequent survey found that 40 percent of county citizens would support raising taxes to rehabilitate offenders so they do not become repeat offenders.