By Anthony Hahn
Following its neighboring communities, Lafayette officials Tuesday will vote to refer several issues to the November ballot — including municipal broadband and an increase in property taxes to fund a citywide EcoPass.
Council members will also vote Tuesday to appoint one of the last seven candidates to fill an open council seat vacated by Tom Dowling.
When Boulder County officials asked residents earlier this year to consider a proposal that would raise property taxes to help fund free mass transit passes, a poll suggested that voters would most likely reject a ballot initiative. Now however, Lafayette officials are hoping that a similar program on a smaller scale will be better received this election cycle.
“This is sort of the next step for our community,” Mayor Christine Berg said. “To give an opportunity like this to residents at a really cost effective rate is really exciting. Not to mention the sustainability piece of it — potentially taking traffic off the road. The traffic problem is going to continue to get worse, and taking the opportunity to take the bus would help reduce that issue.”