Crops of “yes” and “no” signs have sprouted in medians and have been waved at passing motorists during the mill-levy election in Ken-Caryl Ranch.
With ballots due Tuesday and most votes already cast, the campaign has cooled, but the heat still radiates in the south Jefferson County community.
Neighbors have faced off with neighbors, allegations of campaign law violations swirl, politicking has gone door to door — and then there’s those dueling signs.
Even the Ken Caryl Little League has pitched endorsements out of concern that playing fields won’t be maintained.
The hubbub focuses on issue A — raising the mill levy by 2.5 mills from the current 12.709 mills — and issue B — a partial exemption to Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights limits.
For the owner of the average home in the Ranch with a value of $400,000, the increase would cost $6.67 per month.
“The positive thing is I don’t think it’s torn the community apart,” said Patrice Berry, whose three children have painted “Yes on A and B” on the sides of the family minivan. “It’s brought us together.”
On 9,000 acres behind the Hogback and on the plains east of C-470 and West Ken Caryl Avenue, the community of about 4,000 homes hasn’t had a tax hike since the Ken-Caryl Metropolitan District was formed in 1988.
The mill levy — which would raise nearly $500,000 in the first year for maintenance and improvements — is the second time in six months the issue has been up for a vote.
In November, 54 percent of the voters turned it down.
The district, in response to the defeat, refused to shovel snow in open space areas, said opponent Kathy Tourney. “There is a lot more animosity this time,” said Tourney, one of seven board candidates.
As a representative of the Not Another Tax Increase Committee, Tourney is concerned the district has not tightened its belt, such as instituting user fees before jumping to a tax hike. “There’s room for improvement,” she said.
Tourney added, “I think we have enough,” pointing to homeowner association dues that have risen 11.4 percent in the last year to $468 annually.
Proposal supporters contend Tourney violated the Fair Campaign Practices Act by endorsing candidates without registering as a political committee.
An administrative law judge heard the dispute Wednesday but has not issued a ruling.
Members of the Committee to Invest in Ken Caryl Ranch have contended that no fat remains in the budget.
The tax hike is needed, say residents such as Alison Evans, to maintain the way of life that attracted residents and “to keep the community vibrant.”
If the tax passes, all three pools will remain open and more parks and playing fields will be watered.
If it doesn’t, some amenities may be closed, such as the Bradford pool. There will be no money to put into reserves this year for such maintenance as painting and repairs.
“Ken-Caryl Ranch amenities are aging and falling into disrepair,” supporter Brad Richards wrote in a recent letter to a newspaper. “Our property values could be at risk.”
Ann Schrader: 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com
