Edgewater Councilmember John Beltrone
From Edgewater City Councilmember John Beltrone:
The 2019 election is just around the corner, with ballots being mailed out today. Yard signs are up around town with competitive Mayor, City Council, and School Board races. Having the good fortune of being in the middle of a 4-year term, I have been focused on the important city, county, and state measures appearing at the bottom of the ballot. Below is a summary of each, some local background information, and resources to better inform you of the ballot issues.
City: Question 2D – Authorizing but not Obligating the City to Provide Telecommunications Services
If approved, the City would be authorized but not obligated to provide high-speed internet, telecommunications services, and/or cable television services.
Background: Colorado Senate Bill 152 became law in 2005 and prohibits municipalities from providing telecommunications services. Since its passage, many Colorado cities and towns have voted to exempt themselves from the law’s provisions. On September 3, City Council unanimously passed an ordinance brought by Councilmember Caleb Rountree setting this ballot question, which would reassert local authority on the matter. Although the City does not have any current plans to provide telecommunications services, passage would give the City the option to compete with telecommunications providers in the future.
County: Issue 1A – Authorizing a 7-Year Exemption from the TABOR Tax Revenue Limit to Fund Public Safety, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Services
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights or TABOR has many layers. One component limits or caps the amount of revenue Colorado governments can retain and spend. The high growth we have seen over the past few years has triggered the cap for property taxes collected by Jefferson County.
In 2019, Jefferson County families with homes valued at $400,000 saw property taxes reduced by $105 due to the TABOR limit. In 2020, that reduction is anticipated to be $54.
If approved, the County would be permitted to retain revenues received above the cap for 7 years. Excess revenues would be used to fund public safety, transportation, infrastructure, and traditional services, rather than returned to taxpayers.
Background: City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting 1A at the October 1 Council meeting. Below are some highlights of the discussion:
- Jeffco’s budget has a current shortfall of $16.1 million, which is needed to fund critical services like public safety, transportation, and infrastructure. There is bipartisan support from county elected officials for passage of 1A to address this shortfall.
- When the County reaches the TABOR cap, it is forced to reject state grant dollars, which then go to other counties.
- Jefferson and Weld Counties are the only Colorado counties that have not voted to remove the TABOR cap.
It is also worth noting that the TABOR revenue limit does not impact Edgewater like it does Jeffco. In 2008, voters within Edgewater authorized the City to retain all revenues collected by the City.
Resources: The County has published fact sheets related to 1A – Jeffco Budget Realities & Priorities & Facts on 1A
State: Proposition CC – Authorizing a Permanent Exemption from the TABOR Revenue Limit to Fund Schools, Higher Education, and Transportation
Proposition CC addresses the same TABOR component as 1A but is related to the state government and removes the revenue cap permanently. If approved, the state government would be allowed to keep all the money it collects from existing sources every year beginning in the 2019-20 state budget year. The measure would require that any money the state government keeps over its existing revenue limit be spent on public schools, higher education, and transportation projects, rather than refunded to taxpayers.
State: Proposition DD – Legalize Sports Betting and Use Tax Proceeds to Pay for Related Regulations and Water Projects
If approved, this measure would legalize and regulate sports betting, and authorize a state tax on casinos’ net proceeds. Tax revenues would be used to pay for the regulation of sports betting, and the remaining estimated $14.9 million annually would fund water-related infrastructure projects around the state. A set amount of $130,000 would pay for gambling addiction services.
Resource: See the 2019 State Blue Book (Voter Guide) for more information on Proposition CC and Proposition DD.
You can view your complete 2019 Sample Ballot online. Remember to vote by Election Day on November 5!
Contact Councilmember John Beltrone at jbeltrone@edgewaterco.com or 720-643-6077.
Joel has been a resident of Edgewater, Colorado with his family since 2012. He is the Executive Director of local education nonprofit Edgewater Collective and Editor of the Edgewater Echo.
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