Frequently Asked Questions
Prepared by Empower Greeley, an independent ballot-issue committee. This material is not prepared, paid for, sponsored, or endorsed by the City of Greeley.
Cost and Financial Impact
How much would Ballot Issue 2F cost?
Ballot Issue 2F would increase the City of Greeley sales and use tax rate by 0.6%. That equals 60 cents on a $100 eligible purchase, or 6 cents on a $10 eligible purchase.
The ballot estimates the tax would generate approximately $20 million in 2027, its first full year of collection. Actual revenue would depend on taxable sales activity.
Would the tax apply to groceries?
No. The ballot language excludes the City sales tax on food purchased in grocery stores.
In other words, the proposed 0.6% increase would not apply to eligible grocery food. Other purchases would continue to be subject to the City’s existing sales-and-use-tax rules where applicable.
With potholes and street needs, why fund major projects?
Ballot Issue 2F would create a dedicated, voter-approved revenue source for eligible capital improvements. The ballot states that the measure is intended to preserve existing City revenues for streets, other City facilities, capital improvements, and deferred maintenance. Source: GreeleyCO.org
Supporters believe a dedicated source of revenue for major capital needs can reduce pressure on the City’s existing revenues. The measure does not create a legal guarantee that all existing City funds will be used only for potholes or street paving, but it is intended to help protect the City’s ability to address those needs.
Would Downtown projects take all the money, leaving neighborhoods behind?
No single annual dollar amount or percentage is assigned in the ballot language to each eligible category. Ballot Issue 2F authorizes revenue for the Downtown Civic Campus, recreational, cultural, and service facilities, and City parks and outdoor spaces. Source: GreeleyCO.org
The measure does not guarantee a fixed annual amount for any individual project, neighborhood, park, pool, trail, or geographic area. Supporters believe it creates a citywide framework for investing in both major capital needs and community amenities throughout Greeley.
Why include major civic and recreation facilities?
Large capital projects can require significant long-term planning and financing. Supporters believe a dedicated, voter-approved revenue source is a transparent way to address major capital needs without relying solely on existing City revenues that must also support streets, facilities, deferred maintenance, and other services.
The measure authorizes capital-project categories. It does not, by itself, guarantee a particular final design, cost, construction schedule, or financing arrangement for every future facility. GreeleyCO.gov
Accountability and Voter Protections
How would voters know the money is spent as promised?
The ballot language requires expenditures funded through the measure to be subject to independent review by a citizens committee. It also identifies the capital-project purposes for which the revenue may be used. Source: GreeleyCO.gov
Supporters believe the City should make project budgets, spending reports, committee meetings, recommendations, and annual financial information available to the public. Voters should expect clear, regular reporting about how the revenue is collected and spent.
Is this a permanent tax?
No. Ballot Issue 2F is not a permanent tax.
The ballot language provides that the tax would end when financing for the projects, including any refinancing, is paid in full, and in all events no later than December 31, 2067. Source: greeleyco
That means the tax could end earlier if the applicable financing obligations are paid sooner. December 31, 2067, is the maximum end date stated in the ballot language.
Why use a sales tax rather than a property tax?
A sales tax is paid on eligible purchases made in Greeley by residents and nonresidents alike. Shoppers, commuters, visitors, event attendees, and other people making taxable purchases in Greeley can contribute – not only property owners.
Supporters prefer this broader approach because it does not place the full cost of eligible capital investments on homeowners through a property-tax increase. Greeley residents would still pay the tax when making eligible taxable purchases.
Projects and Citywide Benefits
What is Ballot Issue 2F?
Ballot Issue 2F is a City of Greeley measure that would raise the City sales and use tax by 0.6%, which is 60 cents on a $100 purchase. Grocery food is excluded.
For a little over half a penny per dollar, or for just .60 cents on a $100 purchase, 2F funds:
- Downtown Civic Campus: City Hall, a public plaza, and a parking garage
- West Greeley Catalyst Project: an arena, youth ice center, water park, and hotel
- Recreational, cultural, and service facilities
- City parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, and trails
Because these projects get their own funding, existing City revenues stay available for streets, other City facilities, capital improvements, and deferred maintenance. An independent citizens committee reviews how the money is spent.
Source: GreeleyCO.gov
What types of projects could 2F fund?
The ballot authorizes funding for the financing, design, construction, improvement, renovation, expansion, equipping, operation, and maintenance of eligible capital improvements, including:
- The Downtown Civic Campus, including City Hall, parking, public-space, and related infrastructure improvements.
- The West Greeley Catalyst Project: an arena, youth ice center, water park, and hotel.
- Recreation, youth-sports, cultural, and public-service facilities, including eligible facilities in west Greeley.
- City parks and outdoor spaces, including playgrounds, public pools, splash pads, trails, and related amenities.
- Related public infrastructure supporting the authorized projects.
The final scope, timing, cost, and allocation among eligible categories would depend on future planning, revenue collections, financial conditions, and applicable approvals. Source: GreeleyCO.gov
Why support additional recreation and event facilities?
Supporters believe more recreation, youth-sports, aquatic, cultural, and event amenities can expand opportunities for Greeley residents and help the community host visitors, tournaments, and events.
Those are potential benefits and not guarantees. Results will depend on final plans, market demand, partnerships, operating performance, and responsible implementation.
How could visitors contribute?
Visitors, commuters, shoppers, event attendees, and others who make eligible taxable purchases in Greeley would pay the same City sales tax as local shoppers.
Supporters believe this helps spread the cost of community capital investments beyond property owners alone. The amount paid by nonresidents would depend on future visitation, spending, and taxable sales activity.