SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Submitting a Ballot Issue to the Registered Electors of the Town at the Town's Regular Election to be Held on November 5, 2024, in Coordination with Boulder and Weld Counties
Body
DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
Department
PRESENTER(S): Stephanie Pitts-Noggle, Economic Development Manager
FISCAL SUMMARY: N/A
POLICY ISSUES:
Approve the ballot language laying out the imposition of a 5% excise tax on the sale of retail marijuana for inclusion on the November 2024 ballot.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Approve the ballot language as written.
End
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Since 2012, the Town of Erie has had a moratorium in place banning the sale of retail marijuana within the Town’s jurisdiction. The Town Council (formerly the Board of Trustees) has heard updates from Town staff on this matter in 2016, twice in 2021, in December 2023, and, most recently, on July 9, 2024. Council determined the issue was appropriate to include on the November 2024 ballot based on responses to the 2021 and 2023 Community Survey, where the majority of Erie resident respondents said they were in favor of overturning the moratorium if the Town adopted robust zoning requirements and an excise tax on any marijuana sales.
To include this measure on the 2024 ballot, the language, which follows very strict guidelines based on TABOR requirements, must be approved by Aug. 13, 2024. Given Council had no objections to the language staff presented on July 9, 2024, staff is submitting this language for final approval.
The ordinance implementing zoning requirements for marijuana establishments, which will go into effect only if the ballot measure passes, will be presented to Council at a later date after it is presented to the Planning Commission.
COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
ü Prosperous Economy
ü Fiscally Responsible
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution 24-108