Sales tax hike proposed for street improvements

Suggesting a tax increase on his first month in office could be politically risky for new Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers but he hopes voters will understand his reasoning.

Suthers is seeking public feedback on a proposed sales tax increase to pay for repaving the city’s worst pothole-filled streets.

“Based on polling I did during my campaign, I’d like to do it more extensively,” Suthers said.

Suthers met Tuesday with the City Council to discuss the idea and will meet with them again Friday.

“I want to come up with more specifics and then hear from the public about it (before deciding to place the issue on the November ballot),” he said.

Suthers said he prefers a sales tax because it would cost the average voter about $84 a year compared with $140 a year from a property tax increase.

“Nonresidents, tourists would pay 38 percent of the sales tax increase,” he said.

Suthers said he realizes tax increases are not popular in Colorado Springs.

“You have to go even further to prove the need,” he said. “But I’m hoping the need is fairly apparent when (people) drive down the roads of Colorado Springs.”

Suthers said he’ll reassure any voter skeptical about the idea because of concern the additional tax revenue won’t be wisely spent.

“Every cent that’s raised will go to roads or maintenance,” he said. “We’ll have a list of projects.”

Raising the sales tax could generate up to $50 million in annual revenue, Suthers said, and that the city would hire a contractor or contractors to do the work.

Suthers also said a tax hike could improve the city’s economy.

“If we want companies to invest and expand here, we’ve got to show that we’re willing to invest in out infrastructure,” he said.

Initial public reaction to the idea is mixed.

“I do not support it because first of all, they’re not thinking about the people who live on a once-a-month check,” Melvina Williams, a driver, said.

Timothy Fall, another driver, also opposed the idea.

“I know there’s a lot of issues but I am against any more taxes,” Fall said. “I think we’ve got to have a little more responsible government going.”

But several people expressed support for the idea.

“I think the streets need to be fixed,” Kevin McGovern said. “My truck has taken a beating, and so has my wife’s car. So whatever it takes.

Charlie Huston agrees.

“People want services but don’t want to pay for them,” he said. “That’s partly how the streets got into this situation. The money has to come from somewhere. I don’t think an increase of, say, one-half percent is unreasonable.”

While the process continues, the city has eight crews working exclusively on pothole repair.

“I think they’ve made a noticeable difference,” Suthers said.