Boulder City Council considers financial impact of ballot initiatives

By Tiffany Gibson

Thursday, July 15, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

The Boulder City Council on Tuesday discussed the financial impact of three initiatives and one charter amendment petitioned by residents to be placed on the general election ballot.

The questions being proposed are whether the city should take a vote from residents when going into debt of at least $1 million, if the city should own only one 18-hole golf course, whether the city attorney should be elected or appointed, and an initiative that would limit a city committee member’s term to 12 years.

Finance Director Timothy Inch completed an analysis of each initiative and said the financial ramifications are unknown at this time.

But Councilman Cam Walker said closing of Boulder Creek Golf Club would cost the city millions to cover its debt.

City Attorney Dave Olsen said the ballot question on the golf courses doesn’t specify that one of the city-owned courses must be closed. He said it would just prevent the city from building another one.

Councilman Travis Chandler, who helped obtain signatures for the initiatives, disagreed and said the question means one course would have to be closed.

City Manager Vicki Mayes said, “There’s a difference of opinions and ultimately this is going to be decided outside of this arena.”

Of the four initiatives, the City Council decided to introduce the term-limit question at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Councilwoman Linda Strickland asked that it be placed on the Aug. 10 agenda for discussion.

City Clerk Lorene Krumm said the council will decide whether to adopt the question instead of putting it to a vote on Nov. 2.

The other initiatives won’t be adopted and will appear on the general election ballot.

If the City Council adopts an initiative, it has the authority to make changes to it, Olsen said. If the questions are passed in the election, the only way to make changes would be through the passage of another ballot initiative, he said.