Boulder ChamberBoulder Business Insider

Your source for insight to policy and politics
affecting Boulder's business community
November 2009 Issue
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The Front Burner

Boulder Election Results
 
Three incumbents and two new City Councilors were elected on November 3, 2009; the new members are KC Becker and George Karakehian. Following the swearing-in ceremony on November 17 Susan Osborne was chosen as Mayor and Ken Wilson was chosen as Deputy Mayor. Read more>>>
 
Boulder City Ballot Issue 2A passed with 68% of the vote. The Chamber supported this permanent extension of a .15% sales and use tax for the city's general fund for basic services, such as police and fire protection, libraries, human services, and parks. The Chamber recognizes that reasonable taxation is necessary to fund the types of programs that maintain the city's quality of life.
 
Boulder City Ballot Issue 2D was opposed by the Chamber and did not pass. This measure asked to change the Housing Excise Tax such that it would only be charged on non-residential development.
 
The Chamber was instrumental in the recent clarification of how Boulder's Carbon Tax is applied to industrial & commercial businesses. 
 
Due to the complex and unique nature of some businesses this effort was necessary. Details>>>
 
 
Would you be interested in sposoring the Insider? Your website-linked logo can be here. Contact Dan Powers at 303-442-1044 xt 122.

The Big Picture
Increased Fees on Development
 for Affordable Housing
Boulder City Council voted on November 10, 2009 to phase in an increase over several years to the fees for residential development to fund the city's Affordable Housing Program. The increase is intended to cover 75% of the so-called "affordability gap" between the market rate of property and the amount that qualified lower-income purchasers can afford. Additional requirements on size, land dedication and other nuances have also been approved. Read more>>> 
 
City Manager Jane Brautigam will finalize the administrative rules applying these policies and return to City Council with an update in January 2010.  
 
What This Means To Chamber Members:
The increase in the expense to redevelop commercial property in Boulder affects lease rates for commercial tenants. The manner in which aggregate fees create barriers to Boulder's businesses remains a key policy focus for the Chamber.
 2009 Tax and Fee Increases
on Boulder Businesses
The Boulder business community has seen an wide range of tax and fee increases this year. For example, the City Council has approved new fees on commercial development based on square footage & wastewater treatment, raised the Carbon Tax to its maximum and increased the Trash Tax to purchase property for a recycling center. A sweeping audit of construction use taxes has also affected hundreds of businesses.  
 
What This Means To Chamber Members
The total cost to doing business in Boulder remains a concern for businesses of all sizes and industries. At the least we want to see a correlation between what our members pay and the benefit they receive via city services. At best the City Council can change fee structures to support the growth of our business community. (See related info from the BEC below.)
 
This month's addition of two new members to City Council can help with this effort - thanks to those who voted.

Building A Strong Local Economy
Energy Efficiency Alert
 
The City of Boulder's Dept. of Community Planning and Sustainability is finalizing details that will lead to hiring a consultant to provide a draft Commercial Energy Conservation Ordinance. A CECO will require some version of energy audits and subsequent retrofits on commercial properties, regardless of whether upgrades were planned. Expect to see CECO language by early 2010.   
 
Chamber staff and members are part of a technical team reviewing the CECO development. Please contact Dan Powers at 303-442-1044 xt 122 if you are interested in this process.  
2010 City Council Goals
 
In January the Boulder City Council Retreat will focus on legislative and program priorities, most of which will have impacts on the business community. Likely topics include the goals of the Climate Action Plan, budget cuts, affordable housing and transportation projects.
 
What are your concerns as a Chamber member? We are finalizing our Public Policy Agenda and look to provide City Council with your priorities and concerns as they outline their goals for the new year. Contact Dan Powers at 303-442-1044 xt 122 with your comments.  
 
 
Legislation Watch
 
The Colorado Legislature's special committee assessing Pinnacol Assurance has recommended changing the agency's allowed surplus funds, Board membership, bonus structure and other details. Pinnacol is Colorado's largest workers'-compensation insurer; over the last five years more than $350 million has been returned to businesses that have paid premiums including over $800,000 in 2009 paid to over 250 Boulder Chamber members enrolled in our Workers Comp Program.
 
We remain engaged in discussions with the Legislature on these proposals to ensure Pinnacol's programs remain intact.

More You Should Know
http://www.bouldereconomiccouncil.org/
Boulder's Business Demographics

The Boulder Economic Council has released a comprehensive analysis of Boulder's business landscape.

Did you know: there are over 6600 employers in Boulder; over 95% of non-government employers in Boulder County have fewer than 50 employees; 98% of Boulder County companies have fewer than 100 employees.
 
Colorado Budget Crisis
 
Governor Bill Ritter has submitted his 2010 - 2011 fiscal budget that covers a billion-dollar shortfall. This includes:
 
· A 4.6 percent reduction in total K-12 program funding
 
· Adjusting 13 out of 100 current special tax credits and exemptions
 
· Reducing compensation by 2 percent for executive branch employees
 
Suggested Reading
 
Toward a More Competitive Colorado describes the "soft underbelly" of Colorado's economy that is vulnerable based on long-term disadvantages in education funding. 
 
The Future of Colorado'sHeath Care report predicts health care insurance reform will spur increased economic activity and create jobs even after accounting for the costs of financing reform - a net $3.8 billion impact in 2019.



 
Get Involved

Partners for a Clean Environment (PACE)  is a voluntary, non-regulatory program which offers free pollution prevention education and technical assistance to Boulder County businesses. Certified companies represent a broad range of industries. Please take their survey to provide your feedback on how PACE can improve their
programming going forward. You could win $200 in gift certificates from one of over 300 PACE partners! 
We Are Your Voice 
Thank you for supporting the Boulder Chamber!  

Your membership supports our advocacy efforts to create a strong local economy. 
Please contact us with your concerns and ideas and know we are working behind the scenes on behalf of the entire business community every day.
 
Not a member yet? Join today>>>
Sincerely,
 
Dan Powers
Community Affairs Manager
Boulder Chamber
303-442-1044 xt 122