Rifle No More Taxes vs. Rifle Recreation Center… I am not against a Rec. center being built in Rifle…but a few things do concern me. If you or anyone knows how to address these concerns, please feel free to jump in and comment. As an observation of the Rifle area, and a long term resident here…I wonder where they believe the revenue from the increased taxes will be generated. As I walk around downtown Rifle, I see more and more retail storefronts empty. The economy in our little valley has yet to recover, yet we want to increase our sales tax base. This ideology concerns me. Less retail shops at a higher tax does not equal an increase of tax revenue in the Rifle budget, but more like a wash. Are we going to deter the non residents to visiting our little community. I know I have second thoughts when shopping at the GWS Meadows because of the increased sales tax base. Major purchases I go to Grand Junction to save dollars on purchases and a lower tax base. Rifle is not a town that has made it’s income off of tourism. There are a few that travel through Rifle to enjoy our great outdoor activities (the falls, the Rifle Parks..etc.) Rock climbing is a big draw to the Rifle AREA, but not so much as a tax base contributor. People that enjoy these types of activities usually bring their supplies with them, camping out with minimal impact for Rifle’s tax revenues. So…let’s say we do build the rec. center…who will support the day to day budget of running , upkeep and repairs. I attended some of Rifle’s Concerts in Centennial Park…and I might say was disappointed to see the small turn out. These are free concerts, yet the community is not supporting it. The rec. center with it’s monthy (yearly) dues, makes me wonder how many will actually be using this facility. Does the overhead costs then fall under Rifle’s fiscal budget above and beyond the already tax increase burden. Promotion of the Rec. center. Both Battlement Mesa and Glenwood Springs have rec. centers. Where does the Rec. supporters project drawing in their demographic pool of members. Rifle is a bed and breakfast town, most working outside of the Rifle area, along with doing their shopping there and yes, their recreation. To add a rec. center here will cost more advertising dollars to draw possible members to the center, adding in yet another astronomical cost to budget. These are just a few concerns I have about the new proposed Rec. Center. Like I said I am not against the center, but believe it would better serve the area by Private Funding, with a small subsidized amount coming from the City of Rifle, rather than the City of Rifle carrying an already sinking financial ship. I think, unless someone can make me see otherwise, I will be voting no on the Recreation Center.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 17:51:12 +0000
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