DENVER—Mayor John Hickenlooper has put his nearly unblemished campaign record on the line by pitching a $550 million bond package and an annual $27 million property tax increase to maintain city infrastructure—the most expensive city proposal he’s put before voters since his 2003 election.
Hickenlooper has sold voters on tax increases before, including a justice center project, the state-level “time-out” on revenue restrictions known as Referendum C, mass transit expansion and child care. The only loser he has lent his name to was another state revenue boost partnered with Referendum C, Referendum D.
Now he’s asking voters to approve a nine-item “Better Denver” initiative to maintain, build or improve streets, parks, libraries and a symphony hall among others. A city task force made the recommendations to address aging infrastructure.
“This is all about doing business in a smarter, more fiscally responsible way,” campaign spokesman Mark Eddy said. “For decades, what the city has done is skimped on maintenance to take care of other pressing needs.”
If passed, the package would increase property taxes for the average city homeowner by $63 a year. Denver’s property tax rate would remain the lowest in the metro region, city officials say.
The list of projects totals $550 million—$172 million more than the $378 million Justice Center complex voters approved in 2005.
It’s been divided into nine lengthy ballot questions—issues A through I—to comply with regulations, making supporters worry about voter fatigue.
“It is a tough challenge to get voters to say ‘yes’ nine times,” City Councilman Charlie Brown said. “It’s a serious issue.”
Asked if he was concerned about a lengthy list, Hickenlooper said, “Sure. This is a large initiative. But we wanted to give voters the opportunity to pick and choose and have a sense that they were in control.”
Crucial to the package is its only proposed permanent tax increase. Question 1A calls for a 2.5 mill levy hike—adding $27 million in property taxes annually—to fund future maintenance.
Hickenlooper and his task force say the increase will end a “penny-wise, pound-foolish” system in Denver. In recent decades the city has passed large bonds every 10 years to make up for shortfalls. The mayor wants to change that.
“A friend told me recently that an initiative for infrastructure may not be sexy or chic,” Hickenlooper said. “But he said, ‘You just have to convince voters it’s smart.'”
Jeanne Faatz was the lone city councilmember to vote against 1A as well as 1H, a bond issue that would raise $70 million for improvements to Boettcher Concert Hall and build a science learning center at the Museum of Nature and Science—
“I did not run for office to raise taxes,” Faatz said in August. “I ran for office to spend money more wisely.”
Ballots in the city’s all-mail election are due Tuesday. Preliminary results are likely that evening.
