LONGMONT — Six former mayors are set to join Longmont Mayor Julia Pirnack today to publicly endorse the city’s proposed public safety tax.
The mayors will offer their support for the sales tax increase, which would levy an extra 3.25 cents on a $10 purchase.
The police and fire departments say that as Longmont has grown, they have been unable to keep pace with the city’s needs for protection.
If approved, the public safety tax would generate $5.3 million in its first full year and would be used to put more police officers and firefighters on the street.
Support for the tax is being organized by Susan Pratt. There is no formal opposition.
However, an opponent of the tax submitted a written comment for the city’s TABOR notice, noting that the tax would take Longmont’s overall rate to more than 8 percent.
“While the need for public safety funding may exist, a vote to raise the already high sales tax in Longmont is not the way to go,” the statement reads. “Consumers will be reluctant to make major purchases in Longmont when much lower total sales taxes exist in nearby communities. Longmont city leaders must find another avenue to finance new public safety resources.”
If you go
What:Mayoral endorsement of public safety tax
When: 3 p.m. Friday
Where: Thompson Park, Fourth Avenue and Pratt Street, Longmont
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