By Kathleen Chandler | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
Our Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) is under perpetual attack by a government that seeks to grow without the consent of the governed.
A major tenant of TABOR is asking our permission to raise our taxes. That is all we ask. Government, make your case. Why do you need more tax revenue?
Arapahoe County is deceitful in its de-TABORing measure. According to the law, the measure, when placed into legal publication, must be in ALL CAPS if the government asks to raise your taxes. That is true here. However, the first line states, “WITHOUT INCREASING THE TAX RATE AND WITHOUT ADOPTING ANY NEW TAX,” which is technically true and deceptive in its consequences.
This measure will raise your taxes. The county government is asking to not only be allowed to increase your mil levy to a maximum of 15.821 from its current level of 11.206 without your consent, but to keep any overcollection of your tax dollars forever! To me, that is a tax increase.
A series of programs is listed that they want to fund. I would ask, are these programs the role of government, and if they are why are they not currently funded? In a time of economic uncertainty, high inflation, and high cost of living, the government should be like the average Arapahoe County resident – tighten your belt and live within your means. The government cannot continue to raise taxes and provide inefficient services without maintaining basic services like roads without potholes.
Vote ‘NO’ on 1A. If the government wants to raise taxes, simply ask the taxpayer without being deceitful. Ask for specific projects and make the case. Then, sunset that tax once the project is completed. Arapahoe County does not need to keep taxing us forever without our permission.
Arapahoe County * Ballot Issue 1A
Ballot Language:
WITHOUT INCREASING THE TAX RATE AND WITHOUT ADOPTING ANY NEW TAX, SHALL ARAPAHOE COUNTY BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND REVENUE THAT EXCEEDS ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 LIMITATIONS, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2025, AND CONTINUING EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, WITH THE FUNDS USED TO ADDRESS ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES AND NEEDS, SUCH AS:
*REPAIRING, MAINTAINING, AND IMPROVING COUNTY ROADS, BRIDGES, AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, INCLUDING SNOW PLOWING, FOR MORE THAN 1,265 LANE MILES OF NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS AND COUNTY ROADS;
*CRIME PREVENTION AND RESPONSE BY THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE, INCLUDING OFFICERS, STAFF AND EQUIPMENT, MENTAL HEALTH CO-RESPONDERS, AND 24/7 NEIGHBORHOOD PATROL AREA COVERAGE;
*HOUSING SOLUTIONS, HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RESPONSE, PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND OLDER ADULTS, AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES;
PROVIDED THAT ALL SPENDING OF SUCH REVENUES BE REPORTED IN THE COUNTY’S ANNUAL INDEPENDENT AUDIT PUBLISHED ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE AND MONITORED AND REVIEWED BY A RESIDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THAT ANY INCREASE OF THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED TAX RATE OF 15.821 MILLS REQUIRES ADDITIONAL VOTER APPROVAL; AND SHALL ALL SUCH REVENUES BE COLLECTED, RETAINED AND SPENT NOTWITHSTANDING SECTION 29-1-301, C.R.S., SECTION 29-1-1702, C.R.S. (IN THE EVENT SUCH LIMITATION BECOMES LAW) AND ANY OTHER REVENUE OR EXPENDITURE LIMITATION PROVIDED BY LAW?
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.