2024 Sales & Use Tax Ballot Measure

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Sales and Use Tax Measure and Debt Issuance

The Town has identified over $35 million in unfunded capital improvement projects. This fall, voters will have the opportunity to approve a sales tax measure that, if passed, will fund the financing of infrastructure projects, possibly including pools, parks, playgrounds and road renovations.

Read ballot language

Town Board Support (Resolution R-44)

Learn more about Sales, Use and Property Tax in Superior

Notice of Financial Information

See more November 2024 election information at SuperiorColorado.gov/Elections

FAQs

What is the Town proposing for the 2024 Ballot?

The Town of Superior has identified more than $35 million in capital improvement projects, including improvements to both pools, street improvements, traffic calming, and park and playground improvements. This exceeds available funding. To pave the way for these projects, the Town is proposing a 0.315% increase to sales and use tax specifically for capital improvement projects. That’s 31 cents for every $100 spent. For the Town, that means an estimated additional $1.6 million per year starting in 2025, which will be used to pay back a $16 to $20 million debt issuance. The debt will be used to expedite the projects and complete them sooner for residents use. For example, improvements to the North and South pools are currently budgeted to begin in 2031, the increased sales and use tax and debt issuance will allow improvements to both pools to be completed by 2030.
How much will the average household in Superior pay with this tax?

The average household In Superior will pay about $65 per year in additional sales tax.
How long will the sales and use tax increase last?

The tax would have a 25 year sunset and expire in 2050.
Who pays sales tax to the Town of Superior?

Anyone who shops or dines in Superior pays sales tax to the Town.
70% of sales tax revenues collected within Superior comes from non-residents with 30% paid by residents.
What projects will be funded with this initiative?
Projects that would be included, but not limited to
- Constructing, renovating, improving and upgrading town-owned swimming pools
- Constructing, renovating, improving and upgrading parks and playgrounds
- Constructing, renovating, improving and upgrading park and recreation facilities
- Constructing and improving streets and sidewalks
Street projects that could be funded include:
- Rock Creek Parkway (Indiana Street to 88^th Street)
- Rock Creek Parkway (Coal Ridge Drive to Coalton Road)
- 5th Avenue Paving (Original Town)
- Indiana Street (N Torreys Peak Drive to McCaslin Boulevard)
- Neighborhoods south of Coalton Road – street resurfacing and concrete repair
- Original Town Alley Paving
Pool Renovations

North and South Pools were constructed in the early 1990’s and are over 25 years old. Both pools need significant renovation of infrastructure and mechanical systems in order to continue to safely serve the community. The Town conducted remedial repairs to infrastructure and mechanical systems over the years, and the pools are now in need of larger, long-term renovations. The approval of this sales tax bond initiative will result in the renovation of North Pool in the fall of 2025, and South Pool the following year. Newly renovated pools will be designed to better meet the current and future needs of Superior residents, be more efficient and sustainable, and meet all current code and accessibility requirements. Without needed renovations the pools will continue to deteriorate and require on-going repairs that are short-term solutions.

Park and Recreation Facilities and Amenities

The prior Land Rover Dealership at 1500 Coalton Road was purchased in 2019, re-designed in 2020 and renovated in 2021 as the Superior Community Center. This 15,000 sq. foot building has served the community over the past four years providing recreation and self-enrichment programs, senior and teen programs, library services, concession and event space, community meeting space, day-worker space and general community gathering space. Initial renovations address the design and layout of interior spaces, mechanical systems and technology. Following four years of occupation, the need to address structural settling and site drainage conditions has become more critical to the long-term use of this facility. With an average monthly use of over 5,000 people, the Superior Community Center has become a cornerstone facility for Superior residents. Engineer estimates to correct settling of the facility structure and site drainage conditions is estimated at $1,250,000.

The Town offers 16 playgrounds located in parks throughout Superior. Six of these playgrounds are either new or newly renovated, ten are in need of renovation including new playground structures, shade, and ADA pour-in-place safety surface.

The Superior Tennis Courts are aging and the lighting system is out of date and not fully compatible with the existing electrical service. Replacing the lighting system including light poles and renovating the court surface is needed for the courts to continue to meet the needs of the community.

Other projects that could be funded Include:
- Rock Creek Parkway/Coal Creek Drive Roundabout
- Concrete Repair – Town-wide
- Enhanced Traffic Calming – Town-wide
- McCaslin Multi-use Trail, Rock Creek Parkway to Coalton Road
- McCaslin Multi-use Trail, Coalton Road to SH 128
- McCaslin Boulevard Slope Stabilization near S Indiana Street
Total cost of these projects is approximately $35 Million.
With $35 million in project needs, how does the additional $1.6 million per year address the Town’s capital improvement project needs?

The additional funding will support a $16 to $20 million debt issuance that will help expedite the completion of identified projects: North and South pools, street improvements, and park and playground improvements, and allow additional unfunded projects to be completed a lot sooner than the current funding allows.
Will Superior be required to share 50% of this new tax with Louisville for sales tax generated in Downtown Superior?

No. Superior and Louisville have entered into an Intergovernmental Agreement that requires Superior to share 50% of general, non-dedicated Downtown Superior sales tax revenues with Louisville. Superior’s general, non-dedicated sales tax rate is 2.70%. Any sales tax revenues generated from dedicated/restricted sources (0.3% capital improvements, 0.3% open space, 0.16% Marshall Fire Recovery and potentially this new tax are not shared with Louisville.
Why is there not adequate funding for capital improvement projects already?

The majority of this funding is from existing sales and use tax revenues. However, there are competing projects and priorities for these monies (streets, park/recreation facilities and amenities, traffic calming, trails, sustainability projects). As such, existing funding is not adequate to fund all projects. The Town has explored all other projects and expenses to possibly cut as well as other revenue opportunities to maintain service levels.
Construction trucks use our roads constantly, often causing damage. Why are those projects not paying for the roads they are destroying?

Town streets are public rights-of-way, and any legal vehicle carrying legal loads (less than 80,000 lbs.) can operate on Town streets. Town streets are designed with road base and asphalt thicknesses capable of carrying projected traffic volumes, which assume a typical mixture of heavy vehicles, light-duty trucks and passenger vehicles. Truck hauling operations typically occur on arterial streets, which are designed for a higher percentage of heavy vehicles than local streets. Each development project is required to use a hauling route for heavy loads. If damage occurs due to a specific hauling operation, the Town can make the developer repair the damage.
What’s the breakdown of the sales tax? Where are my dollars going?

The total sales tax rate on purchases made within Superior is 8.645%.
The breakdown of the entities receiving these tax revenues is shown below.
How does the Town’s current sales tax rate compare to that of other cities?

The graph below depicts the current sales tax rates of Superior and nearby jurisdictions.
What happens if the sales tax ballot measure is not passed?

Then the capital projects identified for this initiative would be delayed or not completed at all. This would result in increased maintenance costs in future years, for items like the pools and streets that are approaching the end of their useful life. Increased maintenance costs would further reduce funds available for future capital improvement projects.
The Town of Superior budget projects a $7 million reserve as of the end of 2025. Why are we sitting on so much cash?

The Town Board has adopted a cash reserve policy to cover any emergencies that might take place in the future. This reserve was critical and helped expedite many of the projects completed as part of the Marshall Fire recovery.
If we pass this tax increase dedicated to funding transportation projects, are there benefits to other Town priorities and projects?

By issuing debt the Town can expedite the completion of certain capital improvement projects, like the pools, parks and playgrounds, streets that have the highest need and free up additional funding for other capital improvement projects, including additional parks amenities, trail construction, recreation, sustainability, and public safety as well as deferred maintenance projects, all vying for limited general fund tax dollars. Transportation projects have required a majority of capital improvement funds during the last 10 years.
Are there any grants available to offset the cost, specifically from DRCOG? Are there shared dollars from Boulder County to help defer project costs?

Although grant funding is generally not available for ongoing maintenance needs, the Town has been successful in obtaining federal, state and county funding for transportation projects over the last few years. Most grant funding is focused on safety and multi-modal projects, not for pavement preservation. These projects usually require a local funding match. The Town will continue to seek outside funding for safety and multi-modal projects and the proposed tax funds could be used as matching funds.
What about the state’s marijuana revenue? What does that fund?

The Town does not receive any revenues from the state tax on marijuana sales.
What has the Town done to speak with our independent businesses in Town to see how they feel about this tax increase?

Town staff will be sending out a separate information piece to all Superior-based businesses for their feedback.

This topic will also be addressed during the "Get To Know Your Superior Candidates Forum" hosted by the Superior Chamber of Commerce on October 3, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Stable Bar & Grill, located within the Blue Sport Stable (1 Superior Drive, Superior, CO).
Is the Town proposing anything else for the 2024 ballot?

Yes. The Town has three open Trustee positions up for election.
[End of FAQS]

FAQs

Total cost of these projects is approximately $35 Million.