Jacober, Kronberg debate about airport, STRS | News

In Pitkin County’s only competitive commissioner race, incumbent Francie Jacober and challenger Toni Kronberg debated affordable housing, rural character and the airport at Squirm Night on Wednesday.

Francie Jacober is seeking a second term on the Pitkin Board of County Commissioners representing District 5. She is running as a Democrat.

Toni Kronberg, her challenger, is running as a non-party. She has held numerous jobs throughout the community over her decades, working primarily as a swimming instructor.

The two candidates disagree on ballot measures related to the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport.

Kronberg said she will vote for Ballot Question 200, which asks voters to strip county commissioners of their authority to change or move the runway from its status as of Jan. 1, 2024.

“This is not about reasserting the power of Pitkin County commissioners, which I fully respect, but about adding a subsection [to the Home Rule Charter]which gives Pitkin County commissioners full authority and discretion over all aspects of the airport, including transportation and air quality,” Kronberg said.

The Federal Aviation Administration sent a letter to the county on Oct. 17 expressing concern about the impact of Question 200 on the county’s legal obligations to the FAA.

Jacober voted to approve ballot language for 1C, the county’s measure intended to “reaffirm” the county’s authority over the airport. It also includes statements on implementing climate-centric infrastructure.

“Ballot Measure 1C gives the people a voice,” Jacober said. “If we don’t prepare for the aircraft of the future, we will be stuck with polluting, old-fashioned aircraft at a time when we should be moving forward and modernizing our airport.”

Another key Pitkin County ballot measure is 1A, which asks voters to approve a property tax increase to fund a special affordable housing fund for the county.

In a recent community survey, respondents told Pitkin County they would like to see more county action on affordable housing initiatives. However, property valuations in 2023 and subsequent property tax laws set record increases.

Jacober acknowledged that this is a difficult year to ask voters for property tax increases, but it is important to make the county a major player in affordable housing projects throughout the county and region.

The county implemented an expanded property tax relief program this year, but it attracted only a fraction of the applicants the county predicted. Most applicants adopt the Senior Tax Relief Program.

Kronberg objected to 1A’s timing, but emphasized that affordable housing is among the community’s top concerns.

“While I was campaigning, I heard the message from many people that they couldn’t afford the new property tax and felt that Pitkin County probably should have waited to put the question on the ballot. said Kronberg.

She proposed a county real estate transfer tax, but counties cannot impose a real estate transfer tax under state law. Jacober said the district is working to find appropriate approval with the state legislature.

“This is a really difficult time to ask people to pay more in property taxes. There is no doubt about that,” Jacober said. “I don’t think there are many issues that are much more important than workforce housing. We have people commuting, sometimes up to four hours a day from Glenwood, if they have to travel during peak hours.”

Safety and traffic flow on Highway 82 are the reason Kronberg entered the race, she said, adding that the focus of her term as commissioner will be the safety and efficiency of Highway 82.

“It’s really difficult to get home on time, pick up the kids and…” [get to] work on time. There is so much gridlock and traffic jams,” said Kronberg. “Highway 82 is a lifeline for our entire community.”

Jacober emphasized the importance of a partnership between the county and the Colorado Department of Transportation, particularly in light of the recent funding request to CDOT to study the Lazy Glen and Smith Way intersections.

When it comes to regulating short-term rentals, Jacober moved between her vote to block STRs in the county’s rural remote zone and allowing them in other parts of the county, particularly among agricultural property owners in rural areas

“Many people in our county are struggling to keep their homes, and STRs are a way to help them make their mortgage payments,” Jacober said.

Kronberg said code enforcement is a top priority for the county’s STR policy.

Ballots have already been mailed to registered Pitkin County voters. Election Day is November 5th. Polling stations are open for early voting throughout the county. For more information, visit pitkinvotes.com.

The full Squirm Night program is available at grassrootstv.org.