The Ridge at Fox Run

Baptist Road Sales Tax

Baptist Road sales tax

This article is from the October 14, 1999 issue of the Tri-Lakes Tibune.

Baptist Road sales tax not an issue for all

A low public turnout on the ballot issue of a sales tax for the Baptist Road Rural Transportation Authority doesn't necessarily indicate voter apathy.

Rather, it''s case of a low number of eligible voters.

The 0.4 percent sales tax is to fund improvements to Baptist Road from Tari Drive on the east to its proposed connection with Mitchell Avenue west of' Monument Creek. The proposed sales tax will speed up design and construction of the improvements.

State law stipulates that only esidents within the authority's boundaries may vote on the issue.

This includes residents of Jackson Creek, the Ridge at Fox Run (north of Baptist Road) and some at Kingswood.

Even if the tax is voted down, the improvements and development will continue, albeit at a slower rate. The state has proposed funding to rebuild the interchange at 1-25 and Baptist Road to be completed in 2012. With the sales tax, the project could be completed as early as 2004.

The sales tax will only apply to sales within the authority's boundaries, most notably at the King Soopers shopping center and the new Walmart to be located near the interchange.

If the tax passes, it could be paid off in about 10 years, when the improvements are completed. Otherwise, the authority may use the sales tax as a means to borrow money, in which case the sales tax would continue until the borrowed money is paid back. This could take as long as 20 years.