Voters in the Foothills Park and Recreation District have rejected a property tax hike to replace old playgrounds and help offset rising energy costs and other increased expenses.
In the final tally of the mail-in ballot announced tonight, 8,163 opposed the 3 mill hike, with 6,867 in favor.
The Littleton-based district said the tax hike would have cost the owners of a $300,000 home, for example, about $6 a month.
Officials with the district said defeat means cuts in services this year to balance the budget. Tax money supports parks and trails, while fees on participants cover such programs such as golf, cultural arts and fitness classes.
Also on the mail-in ballot, Terri Maulik, Jill Nunes and Keith C. Sutton won four-year terms on the district board.
The district includes about 28 square miles in south Jefferson County with a population of about 90,000 residents.
