Hello,

This is my contribution to Citizen's Discussion at Tuesday's City Council meeting:

Good morning,

I feel that voters were confused about a number of things in regard to the recreational marijuana sales measure in November.

There is an important issue of which voters were not aware, and that is the harm that would be done to the city of Manitou Springs.

The backers of recreational sales project that our city would gain $10 to $15 million a year in tax revenue.

How much of that do they estimate would come out of the budget of Manitou Springs?

I am asking the city and the media to come up with an estimate and make that projection public.

In 2023, the city of Manitou Springs brought in $13.2 million in total tax revenue.

If 300 is implemented in our city would Manitou Springs lose 10% of their annual tax money?

Would they lose 40%?

Would they have to lay off some employees or reduce services?

I do not believe that the good people of our city would knowingly do harm to Manitou Springs.

Were voters tricked into approving 300 and inflicting great and lasting harm to the city of Manitou Springs?

The system is supposed to make sure that voters are well informed in regard to all of the pros and cons of a measure.

In this case, someone failed to properly inform the voters.

Some are criticizing members of this Council for providing an opportunity to repeal the measure.

Would voters be grateful for an opportunity to repeal the measure if they were told about this problem?

I am asking the city and the media to inform the voters of this issue before ballots are mailed out in less than a month.

Thank you, Carl Strow