Basalt Town Council gives support to two local ballot measures

Basalt Town Council voted unanimously to support two ballot measures in the upcoming November election. 

At their Tuesday council meeting, Basalt councilors offered support to measure 7B that would extend an expiring 1.08 mill levy funding library services, maintenance, and wages for the staff without raising existing property taxes. 

“These funds would provide long term stability to maintain and repair the building; keep competitive wages for librarians and staff; update our collections and technology support programs for children, adults, and seniors; and ensure the library remains open with convenient hours and spaces for meetings and work,” Amy Shipley, executive director at the Basalt Regional Library said. “This measure isn’t about growing the government. It’s about sustaining the essential services our community already relies on.” 

Without the extension, the library would face reductions in staff hours and services, according to Shipley. The extension does not raise current property tax rates. 

The councilors all spoke highly of the library and its importance to the community at the meeting before ultimately moving forward a unanimous vote to support the measure. 

“We have to (support) it — the content, the gathering space, how helpful everybody is who works there,” Basalt Mayor David Knight said at the meeting. 

Additionally, the councilors unanimously voted to support Pitkin and Eagle County ballot measure 7A, which establishes an Early Childhood Service District.

The measure would create a 0.25% sales tax on non-essential goods, which according to earlier reporting would equate to a 25 cent tax on a $100 purchase. This tax could generate $10 million annually for early childhood care in the form of grants and tuition credits for childcare programs. It would not be a tax on groceries, gas, medicine, diapers, and other items that the state of Colorado considers essentials. 

“It’s a great program, and I think it has a lot of support,” said Basalt Councilor Rick Stevens at a Sept. 9 meeting of Basalt Town Council. 

Council members discussed supporting the measure at their Sept. 9 meeting before advancing two motions at this week’s meeting to support both 7A and 7B.