Northglenn City Council may disagree on how to appropriate funds generated through sales tax from future marijuana retail stores, but they all agree that more time is needed to evaluate exactly how much money the industry will bring in.
During a study session Oct. 7, council members agreed to table the decision until finance reports from next year’s first quarter come in around the end of May.
That didn’t stop a debate from erupting around the topic, though.
Councilman Wayne Dodge from Ward 1 said he wants to see the unknown dollar amount used for existing city needs such as relieving traffic congestion around schools and supporting youth activities.
“That money should be used for things in Northglenn that we have a hard time affording to fund, like the Child Advocacy Center,” Dodge said. “Let’s steer that revenue toward something good and positive.”
Ward 4 councilman Gene Wieneke doesn’t think the money in the city’s general find should be steered in any specific direction.
“We should not get in the business of having pet projects with pet, dedicated money,” Wieneke said. “Once you earmark funds, it’s no longer available for any other legitimate governmental purpose.”
Wieneke argued that Dodge was too vague with his suggestions to apply the funds to street projects and underfunded organizations. He said the city already has designated tax dollars for major street construction and infrastructure maintenance.
But Dodge said his point with earmarking marijuana revenue is to show residents who disapprove of marijuana stores in general that the money is used for important, meaningful projects. He said leaving the money unused in the general fund is the same as “throwing it into a black hole.”
“The idea is to take a situation that makes some people feel uneasy and use it to do good things in the community,” Dodge said.
Wieneke thinks the money should simply bolster the city’s sturdy fund balance, which is already at 46 percent — nearly double the legal requirement of 25 percent.
“I’m against just stashing money,” Dodge said. “When are we happy? At 100 percent? I’m happy now. Let’s use this money now to work on some of these roads. Let’s do early detection work on water mains.”
There are three medical marijuana stores currently operating in Northglenn, and one waiting to open. Of the three in operation, one store — The Green Solution — has applied for a retail license as of Oct. 14.
“My guess is that surrounding cities in the next few years, after they see the revenue that does come in, are going to jump on board and have retail marijuana also,” Dodge said.
Northglenn is the only city in Adams County where voters approved a measure to allow retail marijuana sales. The city’s planning commission is currently debating whether pot social clubs will also crop up alongside the new businesses next year.
Thornton, Brighton and Westminster have banned recreational marijuana stores. Commerce City has the issue under moratorium until next year and Federal Heights is considering a similar action.
Megan Mitchell: 303-954-2650, mmitchell@denverpost.com, or
