TABOR uses a formula based on population growth and inflation to cap how much tax revenues local governments can keep each year.
"We don't know where the rest of the money comes from," he said, referring to the limited reach of the $5 million.ĭonelson was the sole vote against the resolution to participate in November's election.Ĭouncil will see a detailed presentation on the possible ballot question early next month and set specific language for the measure at a later date. That action is a placeholder, City Clerk Sarah Johnson said during the meeting.Īs was the case during the initial discussions earlier this month, Councilman Dave Donelson expressed concern about the project's limited scope, thus far. 7 and hold a special election at that time, though. They did approve a resolution to participate in the state's coordinated election on Nov. Resident Jaymen Johnson addressed community and council members at the meeting and said he sees the potential new academy as way for Colorado Springs to hire and train officers in a way that shapes the force to fit the city's needs, rather than relying on the training they have received elsewhere.Ĭouncil members did not take action on the proposed ballot measure Tuesday. That's not going to save Colorado Springs," he said.
"We're too busy going toward the troops and tourism. That cycle began this month.Ĭharles Johnson, a college student and community activist, told the council they should spend some time listening to residents. Despite the limitations, Vasquez said CSPD is holding a training academy every 15 weeks with a minimum of 40 recruits in each class. The department is one of many in the state that has struggled with staffing. In a presentation to city council earlier this month, Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said the department doesn't have enough space to simultaneously offer training to recruits and existing officers. It's unclear how those statistics compare to other departments. 37 recruits are expected to join CSPD once they finish training later this year. Of those, close to one-third cited personal reasons for leaving.
Some suggested the money should be used for affordable housing projects and addressing homelessness.ĬSPD currently has 730 sworn officers with 88 open positions, according to records provided by the department. He was one of nearly a dozen people who questioned the CSPD's need for the funds, with some saying they fear adding officers would disproportionately impact disenfranchised communities. "When you guys are going around with Mayor Yemi to have these town halls and talk to your citizens, I ask that you bring this measure up and see if there are things that this $5 million could be put into, like housing," Johnson said. Mobolade estimated the total cost of the project to be between $30-40 million, but details were limited.Īt a meeting Tuesday, Colorado Springs resident Chauncey Johnson encouraged the city council to hold off on the measure and presented members with a petition signed by 2,000 people he said are against it. The money would be used to acquire space for Colorado Springs Police Department to train recruits.Ĭolorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade and Police Chief Adrian Vasquez floated the potential Taxpayer's Bill of Rights - or TABOR - retention question during a city council work session earlier this month. The comments came as the city council considers adding a measure to the November ballot asking voters' permission for the city to keep up to $5 million in anticipated tax refunds. Some Colorado Springs residents are speaking out against the possibility of their tax refunds being used to help fund a new police training academy.
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