GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. On Monday the Grand Junction City Council discussed Measure B. If approved it would extend the current use of TABOR funds for improving several roads.
Currently funds above the TABOR limit are being used to pay for Riverside Parkway, a project which may be paid off as early as 2015.
Tom Kenyon, council member for District A, said, "At the end of that project we have to consider whether the community wants us to invest that money or do they want us to give it back."
The bill specifically details the projects, including the interchange at I-10 and 29 Road, 29 Road, 24 Road and Horizon Drive from 271/2 Road to the airport and North Avenue from 1st Street to 29 Road.
The anticipated current cost to the City would be approximately $42 million for the beltway, $9 million for Horizon Drive and $7.5 million for North Avenue.
Kenyon sees benefits in spreading out the funds, "I believe that all those projects are vitally important, Horizon Drive and North Avenue are actually more ready to go."
Some voters would rather see the money go to one place.
Councilman Sam Susuras, said, "Many of the constituents in the city do not care for four items being on the ballot issue, they prefer one issue."
Susuras has his own vision of where the funds would be best spent, "What I suggested was we do the Riverside Parkway solely. In other words, widening of 24 Road and the completion of 29 Road to the Interstate. For getting this issue passed on the ballot, I think we've defeated ourselves by putting all four issues on at the same time."
A recent survey indicates over 80 percent of the public is in favor of using funds for capital improvement projects, this election will help determine exactly where the funds will be going.
Residents have until midnight, Tuesday morning, to register to vote for the April 2 city election.
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