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Aurora considers special tax district to fund services

Money would go to rec facilities, libraries, parks

By April M. Washington, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 17, 2009 at 12:05 a.m.

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Aurora police look over a map as they respond to a shooting in 2008. The city's expenses for everything from police, fire, road repairs, labor and health insurance are outpacing revenues.

Photo by George Kochaniec Jr. / The Rocky/2008

Aurora police look over a map as they respond to a shooting in 2008. The city's expenses for everything from police, fire, road repairs, labor and health insurance are outpacing revenues.

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Aurora is turning to residents to find alternative funding for services as it grows weary of relying on sales taxes, which plummet when the economy tanks.

The city council has begun hosting town hall meetings as the city braces for further budget cutbacks in 2009 and a projected $12 million to $25 million revenue shortfall in 2010, depending on the length and severity of the current economic downturn.

"Aurora has both a short-term situation related to the sharp downturn to the national economy, and a long-term structural problem in how we fund services if the situation doesn't improve," said Councilman Larry Beer. "Now is the time to talk about real solutions. We don't want to let a crisis go to waste."

More than half of the city's general fund relies on sales tax revenue and use taxes from construction activity, which has slowed to a crawl, city officials said.

The city is floating the possibility of creating a special-taxing district to support libraries and parks and recreation facilities.

A ballot question could be put before the voters as early as November, city officials said.

The city's expenses for everything from police, fire, road repairs, labor and health insurance are outpacing revenues.

"We're likely going to have to prioritize city services and those (libraries and parks and recreation facilities) fall to the end of the list below fire, police and water needs," said Councilman Ryan Frazier.

washingtonam@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5086

Input wanted

Aurora City Council is asking for residents' help to prioritize city services. Here's how to get involved:

* Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., community meeting at City Council Chambers at Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway.

* Thursday, 6:30 p.m., community meeting at Ethiopian Evangelical Church, 15150 E. Evans St.

* Participate in budget survey at auroragov.org, click on dollar-sign link.

* For more information, contact the city of Aurora at 303-739-7000.

Comments

  • January 17, 2009

    4:36 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mtgolfer writes:

    This shows the problem with politicians. They think they have to expand "services" and spending when tax revenues are robust, and never give consideration to the cyclical downturns.

    Services should contract during boom times. The surplus should be saved and thus available for the increased need during recessions.

  • January 18, 2009

    6:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Obiwannosi writes:

    Councilman Larry Beer says, "Now is the time to talk about real solutions. We don't want to let a crisis go to waste."

    Let a "real crisis go to waste"???

    When I lose my income, I have to cut back. So does government.

    Simple as that.

    Decades ago when times were tough, if people couldn't afford butter, they were told to use lard instead. My parents couldn't afford lard, yet we somehow survived.

    Most any budget includes a "reserve". Aurora needs to dip into theirs, rather than tax anew.

    Sales and uses taxes are down because people have no money.

    How is creating yet another layer of taxes going to be of help, when many people are stretched beyond their limit as is.???

  • January 18, 2009

    7:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Obiwannosi writes:

    Aurora needs to take some hints from other towns that are feeling a crunch. Most are cutting back, as well they should in "bad" times:

    http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news...

  • January 18, 2009

    11:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SanctuaryCity writes:

    Cut back Aurora instead throwing $$ at illegals. Your welfare rolls are biting your city. Aurora, Denver & Greeley are the california of the rockies

  • January 18, 2009

    11:37 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SanctuaryCity writes:

    Realistictly, libraries are not needed in Aurora, jails are