SUBJECT:
Title
2026 Ballot Issue Planning
Department
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager's Office
Communications & Community Engagement
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): Melissa Wiley, Deputy Town Manager
Gabi Rae, Director of Communications & Community Engagement
Luke Bolinger, Director of Parks and Recreation
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Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 45 minutes
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For time estimate: please put 0 for Consent items.
Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
N/A
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
The Town Council has authority to approve items for addition on election ballots.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Provide direction to staff about which items Council would like to test with voters and potentially see on either the 2026 or 2027 ballot.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
* Town Council can put on the ballot questions about taxes, bonds, mill levies, Charter amendments, referendums, or initiatives.
* It is best practice to conduct testing surveys of potential ballot items to gauge the support of voters in the community.
* Large tax increases or bonds may also benefit from community surveying, education, and engagement plans to inform voters and gage the relative support for proposals.
* Possible ballot items staff want to discuss with Council include: funding a second community campus, funding to expand the current Erie Community Center, a Lodging and/or Short-Term Rental Tax, Public Facilities Tax, Indoor Recreation Maintenance Tax, Transportation Infrastructure Tax, and Public Safety Tax.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Over the last year the following potential ballot items have been mentioned or discussed and may warrant further evaluation, sequencing, and community engagement:
* Funding a Second Community Campus at the Colliers Hill Site
* Funding Expansion at the Current Erie Community Center
* Indoor Recreation Operation and Maintenance Tax
* Funding for the Leon A. Wurl Service Center Expansion
* Transportation Infr...
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