By Michael McCollum
Denver Post Staff Writer
Most Aurora city council members lined up behind a proposal Saturday to cut raises to city employees by 20 percent should voters reject a property tax increase at the polls Nov. 1.
The cut would help the city avoid trimming libraries, cultural services and recreational items.
Because of weak sales tax revenue and mandated expenses, the city faces a shortfall of nearly $11 million if the November ballot issue fails.
The mill levy would raise an estimated $10.5 million in property tax revenue to be used to fund two new fire stations, an additional ladder truck company, an increase in uniformed police officers and various other public safety needs.
The council prepared a contingency budget that presented members with many difficult cuts to make in case the mill levy does not pass.
“We’re asking employees to take it in the shorts so we can look good in the community,” said council member Ingrid Lindemann, who questioned the strategy.
In a passionate plea to save the Chambers Plaza library branch on East Colfax, council member Kathy Green presented more than 40 letters from elementary children asking for the branch to remain open.
“People in north Aurora are disheartened and they think the city is abandoning them,” she said.
Because of compromises made during the budget workshop, council members agreed that the Chambers Library, along with the Village Green Recreation Center, the Fitzsimons pool and the Aurora History Museum will be fully funded in 2006, regardless of the mill levy outcome.
Excited about the decision to keep the Chambers Plaza Library open, Green said she still has a heavy heart on items that had to be cut.
“To weigh the different options is hard on us because every cut has a consequence,” she said. “We robbed Peter to pay Paul today.”
Staff writer Michael McCollum can be reached at 303-820-1201 or mmccollum@denverpost.com.
