Aurora – History buffs, swimmers and parents of preschoolers at Aurora’s Village Green recreation center pleaded with City Council members Monday night to put away the budget knife.
The council is looking at more than $10 million in cuts to next year’s budget if voters don’t approve a property-tax increase in November.
Cuts would close pools, Aurora’s museum, a library and a recreation center. It also would eliminate money for Aurora’s social-service agencies.
“The danger of these cuts is you wind up losing it all,” resident Steve Ruddick said.
Heather Eagen, whose children go to preschool at the Village Green recreation center, told the council that “putting an end to Village Green is a serious blow.”
Three children, two of them wearing swimsuits, brought about $38 they collected at a lemonade stand to give to the city.
“Please, please don’t close our pool,” said Kimberly Egli, 10.
City officials this fall are considering a two-pronged budget for next year – one if the $10.4 million mill levy fails at the polls Nov. 1 and another budget with fewer cuts if the levy passes.
If the levy fails, the city is looking at making $10.7 million in cuts that would close the Aurora History Museum; the Fitzsimons, Parklane and Village Green pools; the Village Green recreation center; and the Chambers Plaza Library. It could result laying off 22 people and not filling 18 other positions. The city also is considering cutting $530,000 to social agencies.
If the levy passes, the city says, it still must cut $5.3 million.
The levy will ask voters to increase property taxes by 4 mills, $80 a year on a $250,000 house. The estimated $10.4 million generated would help the city pay for the voter-mandated program that requires two police officers for every 1,000 residents. It also would provide the city with the money to open and staff two fire stations and add a ladder company.
City Manager Ron Miller will formally present his budget proposal Thursday. City boards and commissions will make their pleas to the council Sept. 22. And the council will make its decisions on what to cut at a budget workshop Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
The first formal vote on the budget will come after the November vote.
Staff writer Jeremy Meyer can be reached at 303-820-1175 or jpmeyer@denverpost.com.
