Boulder City Council advances ballot measures for vacant home tax, rec center bonds

Boulder City Council last week moved ahead with two potential November ballot measures: one that would authorize up to $400 million in bonds to pay for recreation centers and other city facilities, and another that would impose a tax on homes that sit vacant for most of the year.

The measures come as the city works to chip away at a $400 million backlog of unfunded building renovations and replacements and reduce its reliance on sales taxes, which fluctuate with economic swings and hit lower-income residents hardest. The decisions followed a survey of 400 likely voters conducted June 2-9 by Probolsky Research, a California-based firm. 

The vacancy tax drew the strongest support in the survey, with 64% of likely voters backing the idea. Support climbed further when respondents learned the tax would apply only to people with a second or third home in Boulder. The details are still being worked out. Mayor Aaron Brockett said he wants to see an exemption for property owners trying to rent out their homes.

The bond measure fared worse. About 45% of likely voters said they would support it. Under the measure, the owner of a $1 million home would pay roughly $400 a year in additional property taxes to help retire the debt.

Several councilmembers said the bond is worth pursuing despite its limited support. Some warned that without new revenue, the city may have to close facilities and defer repairs. “We need to swing for the fences,” Councilmember Mark Wallach said. “Let’s go out and fight for the money that we have to have.”

Councilmembers also acknowledged they face a skeptical electorate. Fewer than half of poll respondents agreed the city needs more money to meet community expectations. Several councilmembers said the city will need to show that new revenue is necessary and may also need to trim the budget. “If they say no, it’s because they don’t trust us,” Mayor Pro Tem Tara Winer said.