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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- It is almost time to vote as Decision April 2009 is less than one month away.

One of the more controversial ballot measures is Issue 1A, which targets jobs and the city's mill levy.

Issue 1A would extend the existing .665 mill levy tax through December 2025 without raising additional taxes.

The money would then be used exclusively to create, attract and retain jobs in Colorado Springs while marketing and promoting the city.

Finally, the measure would require city council to create and appoint a five-person committee to make recommendations to council pertaining to the expenditure and use of such revenue.

"It is actually $10 per average household, and what that small amount of property tax is being spent on today is to retire some bonds that were part of the SCIP program, and so those bonds will be paid off at the end of this year," City Council member Margaret Radford said.

SCIP is the Springs Community Improvements Program whereby citizens selected and prioritized which capital improvements projects were to be constructed in Colorado Springs. According to city program definitions, these projects address traffic congestion relief, bridge construction, flood control, bicycle and pedestrian safety measures, additional police and fire stations, construction of parks and recreation centers and other community enhancement projects that maintain the quality of life in Colorado Springs.  In addition to selecting projects, the SCIP participants recommended the method and amount of funding necessary to construct the projects. 

ShRadford e said at that time the city hopes to transfer the money to a different cause, creating jobs in Colorado Springs.

"There are all kinds of needs that employers have -- infrastructure, technology, training, you name it -- and if we are able to invest in those companies then those companies will invest in our community, and one way they are going to do that is to provide jobs to citizens," Radford said.

Radford said the money would help local employers expand as well as entice new companies to come to the Springs. She said a "yes" vote on 1A would make the city more competitive.

"This sort of investment to retain, protect and create jobs is a step in the right direction, and that is what we all need right now is a move in the right direction," Radford said.

"Almost everybody assumes that when you have $3.2 million per year to use to attract businesses to Colorado Springs, it is going to mean cash incentives to corporations, so it would allow the city to give some money to some businesses and deny others," Daniel Cole said.

Cole is the campaign manager with Citizens for Cost Effective Government. He said 1A would hurt small businesses for they would be paying to fund large corporations.

"You would be taxing a local coffee shop like Pikes Perk, so the city could give money to Starbucks if they were rumbling about opening a new coffee shop here," Cole said.

He said 1A would not bring new businesses and jobs to the city adding it ultimately markets Colorado Springs in the wrong light.

"The best thing Colorado Springs could do is to step away from the pack and say 'You know what, we have such a wonderful community, we have Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, we have such incredible people that we do not need to bribe you to come here,'" Cole said.

To learn more about the election click here.