News Wednesday March 1, 2023

We Asked The Candidates!

“How should new parks be paid for and how should we address the backlog of capital needs? If you become Mayor, what solutions would you support?”  We provided a list of funding sources (TOPS, General Fund, LART, PLDO) that currently provide dollars for specific park-related initiatives and reminded them that the Jacob’s Study identified $161 million backlog of capital needs including 15 promised parks. Below are excerpts from their answers. For complete answers: Here.

Some candidates chose not to respond to TOSC.

Wayne Williams: In addition to increasing the general fund, I’ve also consistently sought additional ways to fund parks, including:

(1) obtaining voter approval of ballot issue 2B in the November 2019 election, which allowed the City to keep $7 million in excess 2018 TABOR revenue for park improvements;

(2) allocated a portion of LART revenues to parks used by tourists (such as the new restroom building in Garden of the Gods);

(3) supported TOPS ballot issues…

At the appropriate time, I also favor placing a LART issue on the ballot providing long-term funding for parks frequently used by tourists….

Sallie Clark: As our city grapples with a growing population, I will convene a coalition of stakeholders to strategize a path forward for new parks and trails in Colorado Springs. We continue to see an increase in homeless camps that are impacting the ability to enjoy our parks, trails and open spaces…. I am the only candidate that has a track record navigating and working in local, state and federal governments. Following the Waldo Canyon fire, I co-chaired and established the Waldo Canyon Regional Recovery Group to bring needed restoration and mitigation dollars to our city and county. I will do the same to address our park funding issues and this is just one example of how my experience will be beneficial to doing the same for our City Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services. 

Yemi Mobalade: The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department has been underfunded since the budget was cut in 2010 due to the Great Recession.  Colorado Springs has the lowest dedicated sales tax for parks of any community on the Front Range. As mayor I will support the various efforts for additional parks funding to include funding through the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority and increasing the Lodging and Auto Rental Tax for tourists using our large regional parks….

I will urge citizens to reconsider increasing the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) sales and use tax to allow more funding for our playgrounds, community parks, open space and sports complexes….

Longinos Gonzalez: I am committed to increasing funding to our parks department and I believe there is room in the city’s General Fund to do so.  Since 2019, the city’s budget has increased 36% and also included a 2021 TABOR retention, approved by residents, that I believe provides an opportunity to better support our underfunded parks and open spaces.  I will also bring the public and our community stakeholders together to identify where that increased funding should be prioritized to address the backlog. 

Tom Strand: Should I become Mayor of Colorado Springs, I would support a tri-part program: of placing a new LART ballot issue increasing the LART sales taxation to 4% for local lodging and 2% for rental vehicles; using $ 2 million of the City General Reserve account funding annually for four years; and expanding both private/public partnerships and Federal and State Grants to improve, maintain and provide 15 new parks and equipment, and additional trails and community open spaces.

Darryl Glenn: I view our parks system as a critical element in my overall city growth and development philosophy and goal of creating the safety city in the nation. 

I will implement a more balanced infrastructure improvement plan for our streets, sidewalks, curbs and gutters, and parks. Our older neighborhoods will be elevated to the same standard as our newer developments.  

My plan involves reallocating resources away from non-essential services and reinvesting them into our infrastructure.  

Lawrence Joseph Martinez: Park foundations corporation advertisement corporate signage and state park lottery games. Budget reform community involvement start with the least expensive project save left over items so as to use them on the next project. See which construction companies will do it for a profit of only 20% over cost.

Request that developers pay a stipend then invest that stipend in the market so as to get the fund growing.  

Andrew Dalby:  Before we spend money on new parks, we should take care of the ones we have.  In 2010, the city faced a budget crisis.  The city council asked the citizens for a blank check tax hike in the middle of a recession.  When they didn’t get it, they spitefully unscrewed the streetlights and killed the city parks.  …. I would use general fund resources to rebuild trust with the public, and avoid the temptation to try to circumvent the voters with anti-TABOR “fees”.  Once we have shown competence, then we can ask the people if they would like more parks.