Lafayette Professional Firefighters

Firefighters celebrate likely passage of Issue 2A
2B also on track for voter approval

By Fran Farris
Colorado Hometown Newspapers

 A group of Lafayette firefighters were hesitant Tuesday night to celebrate the passage of Ballot issue 2A — an ambulance and fire mill levy which would generate additional funding for emergency services.

Joe Navarro — served as chairman of a political action committee comprised of volunteer firemen who campaigned with vigor for the ballot issue — was cautiously optimistic around 9:30 p.m., as only 3,000 votes had been tabulated out of possibly 10,000 cast.

“We’re releasing a lot of pent-up stress and frustration,” Navarro said.

The firefighters gathered at Chip’s Cafe in Lafayette to watch the election results, hopeful voters would approve the initiative.

As of 10:30 p.m., they liked what they saw from the Boulder County Clerk & Recorder’s Office Web site.

Preliminary election results for City of Lafayette , as of 10:30 p.m., were 1,800-1,442 in favor of 2A.

2A would provide $1.5 million in property tax revenue for hiring eight additional full-time firefighters and more than 20 new volunteers, as well as operating and capital expenses such as new ambulances or equipment.

If the mill levy passes, it would provide funds to “step up” recruiting efforts for new firefighters, Navarro said. “It would solidify both our career and volunteer firefighter programs.”

City of Lafayette Ballot issue 2B is a measure to increase city taxes by $100,000 annually in the first year (2009) and whatever amounts are raised annually thereafter, by the imposition of an excise tax on short-term lodging services of 30 days or less.

The proceeds would be used to defer the expense of general municipal services of the city.

As of 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, 2B also was headed for approval by a count of 2,042-1,164

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