Author: Pam Zubeck
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THE SPYGLASS: City payroll takes a hit to tune of $2.6 million
It was a brutal first two weeks at City Hall this month, when 11 people got their walking papers and two others saw their paychecks whacked. The cutbacks were part of City Manager Penny Culbreth-Graft’s effort to balance the budget because of slumping sales tax revenues. Seven of those laid off remain on the payroll…
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Lamborn and Bidlack will face off in late October
U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn and Democratic challenger Hal Bidlack will face off twice in the final week before the Nov. 4 general election. The first debate will air Oct. 28 on KVOR (740 AM) radio from 9 to 10 a.m. The live debate will be moderated by Richard Randall. The second debate is set for…
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AUDIO: Proposed sales tax increase debated
Colorado Springs and El Paso County officials faced opponents in debates Tuesday on a proposed sales tax increase and a Nov. 4 ballot measure that would eliminate the city’s Stormwater Enterprise. El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa spoke in favor of a 1 percent countywide sales tax that would raise $75 million annually to be…
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Group says city could save millions by privatizing services
Colorado Springs could trim $135 million a year from its budget by hiring private companies to repave streets, mow grass in parks and plow snow – work currently done by city workers using city equipment, a group of contractors told an advisory committee Tuesday. “Everything will start to diminish,” said Paul Kleinschmidt with Rocky Mountain…
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THE SPYGLASS: Appliance rebate will cost you in paperwork
If you want to cash in on Colorado Springs Utilities’ appliance rebate program, pull up a chair. You’ll have to provide proof of purchase, date, cost and other information about your old appliances. Oh yes, you also must prove you’re a U.S. citizen. You do that by producing a driver’s license, military ID or Native…
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The city’s fine line of influence
Last spring, Colorado Springs made a video defending stormwater fees and the city’s other enterprises.It featured several council members, a consultant, a businessman and city employees, and was distributed to service clubs and aired on the city’s cable TV channel.The video’s run came to an end Aug. 11 after election officials determined two ballot measures…
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THE SPYGLASS: Taxpayers on hook for sweet city retirement
As businesses downsize, thousands of workers are shown the door through early retirement with not much to show for their company loyalty. That’s not the case for Colorado Springs city workers, who can retire with taxpayer-funded benefits for years after their departure. Benefits are so lavish, in fact, that the city has amassed a $58…
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THE SPYGLASS: Technology finds a way into ‘big city’ 911 centers
Think all the text messaging on cell phones these days is a frivolous misapplication of technology?Soon, a text could save your life.El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority is preparing to move to the next generation of technology, mandated by the federal government, that will allow 911 messages to be sent by text or photo or video…
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Public comment reopened on pipeline project
A federal agency has reopened public comment on water quality issues in an environmental study of Colorado Springs’ proposed $1 billion water pipeline project. “We are still taking water quality comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and will continue to take comments indefinitely,” Bureau of Reclamation spokeswoman Kara Lamb said. “We are also performing…
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Council: Cut, don’t raise taxes or fees
Colorado Springs residents might see a drop in services next year to cover a $23.3 million budget gap created by falling sales taxes and expenses the city can’t avoid. “The idea is living within our means,” City Manager Penelope Culbreth-Graft said. Among the City Council-endorsed cutbacks are freezing some employees’ salaries, reducing funding for repaving…