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The Colorado Water Conservation Board's Statewide Water Supply
Initiative study, which will be delivered in final form to the Colorado
legislature in November, has released some early findings: demand for
water is growing; smaller water providers and agriculture have limited
resources to meet their future water needs. Water is no longer used just
for municipal, agricultural, and industrial uses. Environmental
requirements for healthy river ecosystems and the recreation industry in
the mountain communities generate additional demand. Local projects are
key to closing the supply/demand gap. Of the 630,000 acre-feet the state
will need by 2030, projects that are either planned or underway by local
providers will provide for approximately 90% of this demand.
The Colorado Springs School District 11 2004 Capital Plan calls
for $128.8 million in new funding to address capital needs over the next
five years. Funds would be used for Capital Renewal (upkeep of existing
buildings), Capital Improvements (alterations and improvements to
existing buildings), and Utilization (addressing capacity issues like
new schools and additions). The District will seek voter approval in
November 2004 for a bond to cover the plan; the average annual property
tax increase in D-11 would be about $51. Facilities renewal needs for
D-11 currently include $39 million in projects, including repairs to
heating and ventilation, electrical systems, physical sites and
playgrounds and roofs. For more information on the citizen-led task
force recommendations, visit www.cssd11.k12.co.us.
The El Paso County Health Department has established the Public
Health Protection Initiative (PHPI) in response to TABOR limitations on
its funding. PHPI is a citizen effort to allow the Health Department to
obtain alternative funding sources, and to spend the money to protect
the health of the local population. TABOR revenue caps currently prevent
external grant funding from helping to meet growing public health needs. Requirements to respond to public health threats such as bioterrorism,
West Nile virus and SARS have put pressure on the Health Department's
budget. For more information, contact danmartindale@epchealth.org,
www.elpasocountyhealth.org.
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