Two measures to boost funds for the West Metro Fire Protection District’s operations and facility and equipment improvement appeared headed for approval late Tuesday in a special election.
West Metro, which serves about 265,000 residents of Lakewood, Morrison and south Jefferson County, has battled budget problems for more than three years.
Tuesday’s special election asked West Metro residents for a 1-mill levy increase and authority to issue $43 million in bonds.
Up north, in an area that has changed rapidly from suburban to urban, the North Metro Fire Protection District got voter approval of more money to hire firefighters and build facilities.
North Metro spans 115 square miles and serves 90,000 people in Adams, Jefferson, Weld and Boulder counties.
Both a $26 million bond issue and the $2 million annual tax increase for North Metro Fire passed by wide margins Tuesday night. The bond issue passed 1,335 to 835, while the tax increase was approved 1,381 to 806.
“We are very pleased,” said district spokeswoman Wendy Krajewski. “This is great for the district and great for the people in the district.”
West Metro and North Metro are two of several Front Range fire districts seeking approval of tax hikes to raise millions of dollars to better serve growing populations.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
