The Falcon Exploratory Incorporation Committee is moving forward with plans to have the Falcon incorporation issue put to a vote.A decision will be made by the end of July whether to put the issue on the November ballot. That decision will depend on “how well between now and July we can inform and educate people,” said Jean Woolsey, the incorporation committee co-chairwoman.Four issues would be added to the ballot if the Falcon incorporation issue moves forward: whether to incorporate, a 2 percent city sales tax increase to pay for the proposed budget, the mayor and city council members and the Falcon charter and constitution.”I think a lot of people were inclined not to want to do it (incorporation) because they didn’t know what the proposals would be,” said FEIC co-chairman Art Van Sant. To inform people about the process, the FEIC has released additional information to the public, including a preliminary estimated source of revenue for Falcon in 2006 and 2007, a proposed city budget, a Bill of Rights proposed city boundaries and a population chart.If Falcon becomes an incorporated city, the FEIC recommends a 2-percent increase in sales taxes. Woolsey said the current sales tax is 4.99 percent and the 2 percent increase is still one-half a percent lower than the Colorado Springs sales tax. The FEIC has estimated 32 percent, or $771,908, of the revenue for the 2006 and 2007 budgets would be generated from current taxes, such as the cigarette tax, highway users’ tax and motor vehicle registration fees. The other 68 percent would be provided by the proposed sales tax increase, generating an additional $1,630,000. The entire annual revenue available for Falcon would then be $2,401,908, according to the FEIC. “The sales tax increase could clearly sustain the budget,” Woolsey said.”No property taxes would be imposed,” said Lynne Bliss, FEIC communication chairwoman.Paid positions in the budget include a mayor and city council members, Van Sant said. Each of the four districts within the boundaries would have a representative on the city council, as well as two at-large members. A law enforcement staff, street and maintenance staff and human resources position are also outlined in the budget. Volunteer committees – a water board, planning and zoning commission, and parks and recreation commission – would also be created.Implementation of services outlined in the 2006 budget would be added gradually, phased in three months to one year. The 2007 budget would include the full year of basic minimum services, Bliss said. “We would gradually take on services,” she said.Woolsey said input from the Colorado Municipal League, El Paso County and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs helped the FEIC develop the budget.”Meetings held this year were sometimes heated,” Bliss said. “We wanted to inform people, but some people got very, very angry. They don’t want this to happen. The committee does plan to hold more public meetings. We want people to find out all the information before they make a decision.”Jim Ozburn, owner of Falcon Food Store, has attended one incorporation meeting and an incorporation presentation to local businesses. “I think it would give us pride in our community to have our own name and sense of belonging,” Ozburn said. “It would be nice to have a local government where our voice won’t have to go as far. We’re out there to people in the Springs. Falcon gets no respect. We’re the Rodney Dangerfield of El Paso County.”Woolsey said El Paso County currently has control over building and growth in Falcon. “With incorporation, Falcon would have control over zoning,” she said.Terry Harris, El Paso County administrator, said the county does currently make decisions about Falcon development, including subdivision approval, zone changes, roads and bridges, parks and open space, the sheriff’s department and commercial development.Harris said he does not have an opinion about the Falcon incorporation issue. “I don’t have a problem with annexation or incorporation simply because that is how government is set up to work. It’s a very natural thing to occur,” he said.Trent Harwig, fire chief administrator of the Falcon Fire Protection District, has lived in Falcon since 1996. “It’s incredible what has happened since then and it’s not going to stop,” he said of the Falcon growth. “Incorporation would give the area independence because it would be a city instead of just an area.” Harwig said the Falcon Fire Protection District would not be affected by incorporation. “It should have no effect on the Falcon Fire Protection District. We would remain a district. We serve areas within the city and outside of the city.”Proposed boundaries for incorporated Falcon reach as far west as Vollmer Road and east to Elbert Road. The northern boundary may include Latigo Boulevard, but many residents in the area have initially requested exclusion from the incorporation, Woolsey said. If Latigo Boulevard does opt out, the northern boundary may be Rex Road. The southernmost boundary is proposed at Constitution Avenue. Woolsey said the boundaries are preliminary and could change.”My hope is that incorporation would make Falcon more unified, and give us more pride and individuality within the community,” Van Sant said.
