New tax plans takes aim at streets in Pueblo

Street repairs have been at the top of Pueblo’s To-Do-List for a long time, and now city officials believe they have a game plan to fix up the steel city streets.

Tuesday night, in a 4-3 vote Pueblo City Council approved a new tax plan to repair city streets. There was some disagreement between council members after the last minute amendment was put forth.

The plan stems from last year’s election, where voters in Pueblo approved the Street Repair Utility Enterprise Fund. Many were under the impression that each household would pay one dollar a month in order to pitch in for street repairs.

That finished tax plan was put forward to council for a vote Tuesday night. One dollar for households, five dollars for small businesses, 25 dollars for chains restaurants and retail stores, and $50 a month for big-box chains.

However, some council members said the plan wouldn’t do enough to help fix the streets in Pueblo. Council member Dennis Flores put forth an amendment to double each monthly amount. That plan passed.

Back when the voting occurred in 2017, many were under the impression that one dollar per household a month was a part of the street repair utility enterprise fund. When asked if he thought he was going against the voters wishes, Flores said he was doing the opposite.

“I think it would’ve passed anyway had it been $2 I think it’s just small enough for our residential households,” said Flores. “I think this was a good night for attacking the street problem maybe more aggressively.”

The new tax plan is expected to raise around $2 million next year. People and businesses will see the change on their water bills starting in January of 2019.