Residents in the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District will vote next week on the extension of a property tax to acquire and maintain open space and to maintain parks in the system.
In a good year, that would seem like a no-brainer.
The 140,000 residents who make up South Suburban for decades have enjoyed one of the largest recreation districts in the country. The tax would cost homeowners $24 annually for a home valued at $300,000.
But with the down economy, tax opponents are working hard to defeat the measure being decided Tuesday. They say the district should wait several years for the economy to rebound before asking for the tax.
That’s a strategy South Suburban didn’t want to try. By going for it now, it’s a tax extension. If the district waits a few years, it would be a new tax and potentially a tougher sell to voters.
“I’m never confident when you go into an election,” said South Suburban’s executive director, David Lorenz. “I have my concerns the tax issue will affect people’s votes.”
None of the fee-based amenities in South Suburban — such as golf courses, swimming pools, recreation centers and skating rinks — would receive money from the tax extension.
Opponents, including a group called “No on A,” question that the tax is even an extension. The old tax was only for open-space acquisition and maintenance. This ballot measure also includes maintenance of the district’s existing parks.
“They can say it is an extension, but the old tax had a 10-year commitment. Period,” said Marty Bolt of the “No on A” group. “It’s a horrible time right now. No one’s in very good shape (financially).”
South Suburban officials point to a study that showed 80 percent of those polled supported extending the tax. Those using DeKoevend Park this week also seemed in favor of the ballot measure.
“I think it’s negligible,” Troy Hooey said of the cost to homeowners. “Who’s going to notice $2 a month?”
Bob and Donna Murphy, out on an afternoon walk in the park this week, agreed.
“I would vote for it,” Donna Murphy said. “It’s one of the best parks systems throughout the United States.”
Lorenz said the district faces about a $5 million shortfall in maintenance costs. If the measure doesn’t pass, cuts will come.
“It means we’ll have to do less,” he said. “We won’t be able to acquire land and provide trails.”
All registered voters of the district who have lived there for at least 30 days are eligible to vote on the issue, as are those who own property in the district but live outside South Suburban.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
Ballot issue A
Ballot issue A asks voters in the district — which includes western Centennial, Littleton, Lone Tree, Sheridan, Bow Mar and Columbine Valley, as well as parts of unincorporated Douglas and Arapahoe counties — to approve a one-mill property-tax levy for 10 years. It is expected to raise about $2.4 million a year.
