Commerce City annexation plan ripped

Bill Scanlon, Rocky Mountain News

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

COMMERCE CITY - More than 100 small-business owners and residents who aren't sure they're keen on being part of the city packed council chambers Tuesday night to get answers about taxes, traffic and new regulations.

The City Council is moving forward on a plan to annex a section of unincorporated Adams County between 88th and 92nd avenues and between the Union Pacific Railroad tracks and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.

The council will have its final votes on annexation on Nov. 19 and Dec. 17.

Jerry Rhea, who owns a trucking company in the area, told city officials: "Obviously, our taxes are going to be higher. What about improvements on 96th Avenue? How long before you're going to use our extra taxes to fill your part of the bargain?"

He said that with a new Federal Express distribution center going in nearby, 96th Avenue "is going to be a nightmare" without improvements.

"You can promise anybody anything, but I want to see the results," Rhea said.

Glenn Murray, the only farmer who would be brought within city boundaries, also operates a corn maze. He said he would expect his property taxes to go up by 3.28 mills and his sales tax to go up by 3.5 percentage points.

But what about the seeds and hay he sells to other farmers and ranchers? And what about taxes on his vehicles or a new tractor? And would he have to pay a head tax for the 60 people who work for him at the corn maze?

City officials told him there wouldn't be an extra city tax on hay and seed and that there's no head tax. But they said he'd have to pay a tax on the vehicles.

The Northern Industrial Enclave would annex about 90 businesses and 300 residences, attorney Ryan Call, who opposes the move, said Tuesday. He said the annexation likely would cost local businesses and residents $3.2 million a year of extra taxes and fees.

City officials expect a big turnout for the two council meetings, at which annexation votes will take place.