2019 April Municipal Election
The Fort Collins community and region continue to prosper. Millions of dollars were invested in private homes, commercial and industrial properties and public infrastructure in the last year and unemployment was low though under-employment remains an issue for area residents.
Despite this good news, there is growing competition for our community’s jobs and the question is “How do we keep things going our way?” Most of that answer lies with the great businesses and private sector innovators in Fort Collins. It’s more important than ever to have people on the City Council that understand and appreciate business and are willing to work on creating a strong and positive business climate.
All voters will be electing a new mayor, and voters in Districts 1, 2, 4 and 6 will be electing representatives at the next regular election held on April 2, 2019. The City of Fort Collins has conducted its regular elections (held in April of odd-numbered years) by mail ballot since 1995. There are no polling places in a mail ballot election other than an on-site polling place in the City Clerk’s Office. Ballots will be mailed to the eligible electors no later than 15 days prior to the election and must be returned to the City Clerk by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Chamber Endorsements
The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce has made it a priority to support the election of City Council Members who support business and job creation. For the April 2, 2019 City of Fort Collins Election, the Chamber is endorsing the following candidates for the City Council:
- Mayor, Wade Troxell (http://www.voteforwade.org/)
- District 1, No Endorsement
- District 2, Noah Hutchison (http://www.electnoah.com/)
- District 4, Kristin Stephens (http://kristinforfortcollins.com/)
- District 6, No Endorsement
All of the announced candidates were asked to complete a Candidate’s Questionnaire and complete an interview with the Election Committee. The Chamber Board of Directors, in their review of candidates, considered the responses to the Candidate’s Questionnaire and the candidate’s interviews as well as the following traits: Character/Integrity, Motivated, Balanced, Committed, Electable, Knowledge of Community Issues/Governance, Community Service & Experience and Leadership & Communication Skills.
Copies of the interviews conducted with all the candidates announced as of February 12, 2019, are available HERE. As well, questionnaires completed by the candidates are available HERE.
As well, the Chamber recommended the following positions on two of the ballot issues being presented to voters:
- CITIZEN-INITIATED CHARTER AMENDMENT NO. 1: Councilmember Compensation – VOTE NO
- Who gets elected to City Council and their motives for running matters a great deal to business as many of the policy decisions council makes impact the business community both directly and indirectly. This charter amendment changes the basic governance structure in Fort Collins from the longstanding citizen-servant model to council members as full-time paid city employees. As well, having seven politicians giving full-time attention to city government will dramatically increase the cost of government to citizens and businesses with new ordinances and regulations as well as the additional $500,000-$1,000,000 budget impact for salaries and benefits.
- CITY-INITIATED BALLOT ISSUE QUESTION NO. 1: Keep Fort Collins Great Tax Renewal – VOTE YES
- Since 2011, KFCG has funded both basic operations and other community priorities. Passed in the shadow of the so-called Great Recession, the tax was sold on the basis of keeping city government services intact through the crisis. So far, over the first 8 years of this tax, $188M has been spent.The revenues from KFCG have been, by ballot, distributed to the following areas:
33% Street Maintenance and Repair
17% Other Transportation Needs
17% Police Services
11% Parks and Recreation
11% Other Community Priorities
11% Poudre Fire Authority• Data shows that the City of Fort Collins is in a strong financial position compared to peer cities relative to overall revenues, per capita revenues, and per capita expenditures. Over the past 15 years, revenue to city government has grown by 35 percent, while population growth was a comparable 33 percent. Some ongoing basic city services like police, fire, and streets are in part being paid for by this temporary tax. A permanent increase in the base sales tax rate by .60 percent cand be justified for these services. Additionally, a case can be made for an additional temporary quarter-cent tax for non-basic ‘extras.’ There are special one-time transportation projects and other programs that could use funding but are not long-term needs.
- Since 2011, KFCG has funded both basic operations and other community priorities. Passed in the shadow of the so-called Great Recession, the tax was sold on the basis of keeping city government services intact through the crisis. So far, over the first 8 years of this tax, $188M has been spent.The revenues from KFCG have been, by ballot, distributed to the following areas:
Learn More Here:
Resources
City of Fort Collins
http://www.fcgov.com
City of Fort Collins Election Information
https://www.fcgov.com/elections/election-2019-april-2
The Fort Collins Coloradoan
http://www.coloradoan.com/
Please note: The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide education, information and analysis of local issues and candidates specifically for its members. The opinions expressed in this website are meant to give Chamber members a perspective that advocates for the business community and the city’s overall quality of life, and to give members insight into the potential impacts of local issues and candidates.