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Updated: 11:31 AM Nov 4, 2009
Springs Firefighter Voices Concern After Voters Reject Tax Hike
"What do we do now? Where do we go with it?"
Posted: 11:29 AM Nov 4, 2009Reporter: Eric Lupher |
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44 Comments 
Colorado Springs voters rejected a proposed property tax increase (2C) Tuesday.
The city says without the money from 2C, and with a major shortfall hanging over the 2010 budget, many cuts will have to be made. Those may include most of the city parks department, dozens of police officers and firefighters. Now, it's just a waiting game for many to find out if they'll keep their jobs.
"City Council is going to have the final decision and that will happen next week,” said President of the Colorado Springs Professional Fire Fighters Association Mike Smaldino. “What our proposed cuts are is both of our medical squads and one of our truck companies. That equals the 22 people being laid off," he said.
Smaldino says he will spend some time putting everything on the table, looking at the staffing model just in case cuts are made. "Kind of the feeling around here is, what do we do now? Where do we go with it?"
Those who were against 2C from the beginning still believe the city's idea of cutting city services was just a scare tactic for the successful passage of 2C.
Either way, Smaldino says he does not feel voters were against him and his department. He feels there was confusion and concern over the way 2C was worded on the ballot.
Latest Comments
The City should have backed the the 1 cent sales tax. That was MUCH better and the funny thing is that if they would have, no one would be loosing their jobs. Pudge you are saying you would pay almost double your taxes NOW, but what happens when the market turns aroud and your taxes are being multiplied over and over each year. With the sales tax hike, you would still be in control. The county would have asked you for 10 bucks for every $1k. 2C was asking for the equivilant tax of someone spending $6k on TV's, computers and stereos, FOR JUST THE FIRST YEAR! after that you would have to spend close to $30k on TV's and other things that most people do not buy in a typical year. So do your math again, the city was wrong and greedy! Bring back 1A, atleast the county had a plan to help the rest of the community agencies and not hide the money to waste on the council members "private parties"
The measure was voted down 2:1, get over it! The majority has spoken! Note: 4 mills to 10 mills, I don't think so! The government needs to get smallar.....please!! P.S. I don't drink Scotch! Not everyone in the Springs owns a home of your value.
To Pudge, Right on! I agree 100%. Personally I like a nice Islay. To Mr X, The "PEOPLE" are idiots. Just look at these postings. If 400,000 people belive in a dumb idea it's still a dumb idea.
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