What are voters being asked to do?

Voters are being asked to approve a property tax increase to fund the construction of a new Branch of the Longmont Public Library, and a sales tax increase for the ongoing operations of all libraries in Longmont. Part of the ongoing operations would include increased funding for the existing library. The Branch Library could be located at Dry Creek Park or a stand-alone building elsewhere in the city, and the cost of the construction project is $25.7 million.

What does this cost residents?

The proposed property tax increase of 1 mill for twenty years would be an annual increase of $35.75 on a home valued at $500,000. Non-residential property tax would be $290 on a $1,000,000 property.
The proposed sales and use tax increase of 0.15% is 15 cents on each $100 purchase.

The Library Branch Would Include

• Diverse collections for adults, children, and teens, including books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs and other multi-media options.
• Library of Things that can be checked out for use, including tools, moving supplies, radon detectors, etc.
• Computers, laptops, WiFi hotspots, and other technology
• Accessible and inclusive spaces such as:
  • Study rooms
  • Meeting rooms
  • Computer/technology training classroom
  • Outdoor spaces
  • Creative/maker spaces
  • Quiet spaces
  • Dedicated teen space
  • Dedicated children’s/Storytime space
• Power outlets and device charging options
• A variety of seating and workspace options
• Programs for all ages, including Storytime, creative art classes, notable book author talks
• Free WiFi
• Homebound Services

Those in favor believe:

• The current library was meant to support a population of up to 65K residents. With the current population right around 100K, the library must also grow to support Longmont residents.
• A new facility would provide residents with the ability to experience new library services currently unavailable such as creative/maker spaces.
• The library has historically been underfunded and current service levels are not sustainable given the current and expected population growth.

Those opposed believe:

• Construction of this facility and payment of debt requires property and sales tax increases. The City should find a different way to fund this type of project or delay construction until sufficient funds have been saved to complete the project without tax increases.
• The city already has a library that serves as a hub of learning and does not need an additional facility.
• An additional facility is not needed due to the amount of online content, classes and books now available for free.

Financial Information - New Branch Library

Debt service - New Branch Library

• 1.0 mill levy lasts for 20 years
• Mill levy begins in 2024

Operation and maintenance - New Branch Library

• 0.09% sales tax increase begins in January 2024

Operation and maintenance - Existing City Library

• 0.06% sales tax increase begins in January 2024

What are voters being asked to do?

Voters are being asked to approve a property tax increase to fund the construction of a new Arts and Entertainment Center, and a sales tax increase for the ongoing operations of the Arts and Entertainment Center. These increases are dependent on a private fundraising effort that would raise $35 million within 5 years before the City taxing would begin. The City’s portion of the construction project cost would be $45 million once the private fundraising is complete.

What does this cost residents?

The proposed property tax increase of 1.9 mills for twenty years would be an annual increase of $67.93 on a home valued at $500,000. Non-residential property tax would be $551 on a $1,000,000 property. This tax would begin being assessed the year in which the private funding of $35 million is complete. If fundraising efforts are not successful, the City tax would not be enacted.
The proposed sales and use tax increase of 0.09% is 9 cents on each $100 purchase. This tax would be charged starting six months before projected completion of the Arts and Entertainment Center.

The Arts and Entertainment Center Would Include

• Auditorium providing seating to accommodate 800-1250 persons.
• Large stage with back-stage capacity to host large theatrical productions.
• High fidelity sound system to support theater and musical acts.
• Rehearsal and meeting spaces/rooms.
• Large multi-functional common area/lobby capable of hosting private functions and supporting programmed events.
• Potential for smaller (300-500 seats) ancillary seated theater or theatrical “black box” for smaller productions.
• Potential informal multi-functional “open floor” space for such uses as holiday market sales, musical acts, car shows, holiday parties, corporate functions, receptions, etc.

The type and scale of the facility will be subject to construction costs and funding availability at the time of design. The Arts and Entertainment Center could be built as a stand-alone facility or in conjunction with a conference facility, depending on available opportunities when full funding for the Arts and Entertainment Center is achieved. The location is not yet determined, but options include Boston Avenue and Main Street or the Longmont Sugar Factory, among other possibilities.

Those in favor believe:

• The construction of a new facility that can accommodate large theater and music productions and provide multi-use space for events can help meet the current and future needs of city residents seeking arts and entertainment in their community.
• A new facility would allow residents who currently have to travel outside of Longmont to access larger events and performances nearby.
• Longmont’s population has outgrown existing venues and residents need additional options to meet and cultivate their interest in the arts.

Those opposed believe:

• Construction of this facility and payment of debt requires property and sales tax increases. The City should find a different way to fund this type of project or delay construction until sufficient funds have been saved to complete the project without tax increases.
• The city already has venues that allow for arts and entertainment locally, and other venues in the Denver metro area are close enough to access.
• Longmont’s population won’t sustain such a facility and sales and use tax increases will remain in place indefinitely to cover operation and maintenance costs.

Financial Information - Arts and Entertainment Center

Debt service - Arts and Entertainment Center

• 1.90 mill levy lasts for 20 years
• Mill levy does not begin until the year in which $35 million in private funding for construction has been made available to the City

Operation and maintenance - Arts and Entertainment Center

• 0.09% sales tax increase begins six months prior to the projected completion date of the Arts and Entertainment Center

What are voters being asked to do?

Voters are being asked to approve:

• A property tax increase to fund the construction of a new City Recreation Center at Dry Creek Park and renovations to the existing City Quail Recreation Center.
• A sales tax increase for the ongoing operations of the new City Recreation Center at Dry Creek Park.
• Permission to swap land with the YMCA of Northern Colorado (YMCA) at the Centennial Pool site to allow the YMCA to build a new recreation facility and affordable housing development.
• A property tax increase to contribute to the construction of a new YMCA recreation facility at that location.

The construction cost for the new City Recreation Center at Dry Creek Park is $72 million and the City's contribution to the construction of the YMCA is $12 million.

What does this cost residents?

For the City Recreation Center, the proposed property tax increase of 2.78 mills for twenty years would be an annual increase of $99.39 on a home valued at $500,000. Non-residential property tax would be $806.20 on a $1,000,000 property.

The proposed sales and use tax increase of 0.11% is 11 cents on each $100 purchase.

For the YMCA Complex/Centennial Pool, the proposed property tax increase of 2 mills for three years would be an annual increase of $71.50 on a home valued at $500,000. Non-residential property tax would be $580.00 on a $1,000,000 property. This tax would begin being assessed after the YMCA receives a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Award.

The Recreation Facilities Would Include

• Preliminary design for a new City Recreation Center includes pool, fitness rooms, gym, community room and outdoor spaces. The Recreation Center would be located at Dry Creek Park.
• Designs for a new YMCA facility includes a pool, ice rink, childcare and affordable housing.

Those in favor believe:

• Longmont’s population has grown since the current City Recreation Center and YMCA were built and existing facilities can no longer meet the needs of the community today.
• The construction of new facilities with pools, fitness rooms, gym, and ice rink can help meet the current demands and future needs of city residents and the YMCA’s childcare and affordable housing would help meet critical needs in the community.
• The new City Recreation Center would be accessible to more people, as its location is in a different part of the city.
• Centennial Pool would require $24 million to repair and the land swap would save money while providing increased healthy and in-demand programming, equipment, and facilities.
• Entrance to the YMCA would be at a reduced rate for Longmont Recreation pass holders.

Those opposed believe:

• Construction of this facility and payment of debt requires property and sales tax increases. The City should find a different way to fund this type of project or delay construction until sufficient funds have been saved to complete the project without tax increases.
• The existing City Recreation Center is a great facility and there is no need for expansion.
• The current YMCA is a great facility and there is no need to tear it down and start over. The building is in good shape and should be expanded. There are new amenities that should not be eliminated.
• The net gain to the City of 1.63 acres isn’t enough to justify the complexity of the land swap arrangement. The city should find a simpler solution.
• A new YMCA facility membership will cost residents more than their existing city recreation membership.

Financial Information - New Recreation Center

Debt service - New City Recreation Center

• 2.78 mill levy lasts for 20 years
• Mill levy begins in 2024

Operation and maintenance - New City Recreation Center

• 0.11% sales tax increase begins in January 2025

Financial Information - City cost toward new YMCA Recreation Center

• $12 million toward the cost for a new YMCA recreation center

Funding of City cost toward new YMCA Recreation Center

• 2.0 mill levy lasts for 3 years
• Mill levy begins in the year after the YMCA receives a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit award