The town made famous by a rock might want to turn to a few
stones during its time of financial hand-wringing – the Rolling
Stones, that is.
Yes, Mick Jagger and the boys long ago crooned about how one
can’t always get what you want, but if you try, you get what you
need.
Focusing on needs instead of wants might be a good bit of advice
for Castle Rock decision-makers.
The town’s lawmakers recently voted to move Taxpayers Bill of
Right elections to odd years. This paves the way for the town to
ask voters in April to approve a multimillion-dollar bond issue and
an exemption for the town’s parks and recreation department from
the TABOR Amendment’s tax and revenue limitations to build a second
recreation center, something many residents want.
However, the town’s economic health might be on the verge of a
major ailment. Like the state and just about every other
municipality, Castle Rock has seen tax revenues slump, thanks to a
poor economy.
At the request of Castle Rock Town Manager Mark Stevens,
department managers are compiling 2003 budgets that reflect the
“same or lesser” costs as this year.
Translation: The town’s government will not grow in 2003 and
could very well shrink.
Before fans of less government shout with glee, they should keep
in mind that the town has said it might not be able to maintain
existing services without additional employees, something that
might not be in the budget for years to come, depending on the
severity of the tax downturn.
If that’s the case, residents better hope the town doesn’t
grow.
Town officials have a formula for paying for the second
recreation center and have proposed shifting money from the town’s
transportation fund into the general fund so that the general fund
“already squeezed” can be stabilized, thereby maintaining police
and fire services.
It is, on the surface, a fairly sound plan and one that the
News-Press supports. The town might be able to accomplish its goals
regarding a second recreation center despite the revenue
shortfalls.
However, it should be cognizant of the perception that would be
created by building a brand new rec center at the same time other
town services potentially begin to suffer.
Things could always change, rendering this caution moot. Only
time will tell whether the town will be able to provide residents
not only with what they want, but also what they need.