Fiscal Responsibility for Larimer County!
Proposed Referendum 1A is good for those who need help and is good for the citizens of Larimer County. It makes sense financially and I support the measure.
Jail is a poor treatment plan for those with psychological and psychiatric needs. Other facilities provide better mental health care and substance abuse assistance, and at a lower cost to the County. It costs more than $100 per day to keep someone in jail. In the proposed facility, it will cost about $25 per day for someone in a treatment program.
In addition, it is important to remember that jail is exactly where some people need to be. The proposal will reduce the jail population. That will help assure that space is available for violent offenders and will put off the need for expensive additions to the jail.
Despite my support, I acknowledge that some aspects of the proposal are troubling. The financial details are not as transparent as they should be when we are asking the taxpayers to open their wallets. Also, there is no sunset provision. If this tax is approved it will last forever.
For me the benefits outweigh these concerns. I support 1A.