Dear Hinsdale County Voters,

We are writing to inform you of an important initiative aimed at stabilizing and sustaining funding for essential services in our community. The Community Essential Services Committee would appreciate your YES vote in November on Ballot Question 1A to support a county-wide lodging tax increase, which will support the following: Hinsdale County Emergency Medical Services (HCEMS), Hinsdale County Search and Rescue (HCSAR), and Hinsdale County Early Childhood Care (HCECC).
A lodging tax is paid by visitors staying overnight fewer than 30 days in Hinsdale County. For every $100 spent at local lodges, hostels, cabins, motels, and vacation rentals, the increase would be an additional $4 per night that goes directly to HCSAR, HCEMS, and HCECC.
Although Hinsdale County has a year-round population of only 750 residents, we welcome more than 450,000 visitors each year (Source: Hinsdale County Resolution Supporting Public Lands). We appreciate the growing number of visitors, but their impact has exceeded the capacity of our essential services and our funding sources. All three entities currently rely heavily on grants and donations, which are appreciated but not reliable.
We are hosting an open house to answer questions and discuss Ballot Question 1A. Join us at the Lake City Area Medical Center (EMS ambulance barn) on Tuesday, September 2nd (4pm to 6pm).
Thank you for supporting the livability of our community and helping us sustain a place we all love.

Sincerely,
_{Community Essential Services Committee
[email protected]}