As voters in Adams County fill out their ballots, officials are holding their breath, hoping for some generosity.
In addition to two high-profile statewide tax questions, voters are being asked to approve tax measures for Adams County cities, schools and fire districts.
Officials say there is some concern about the number of tax-related questions on the ballot, but said they had to take a chance.
Adams County School District 14 in Commerce City did a lot of outreach before deciding to ask for a bond issue, spokeswoman Maria VanderKolk said.
“All the parties have done the best they can to explain the needs,” she said.
Among the tax measures on the ballot:
• Adams 14 is asking for a bond measure to provide $44 million to the district over the next 25 years for new classroom technology and security features such as keyless operation of school doors.
The bond issue would raise annual property taxes on a home valued at $100,000 by $31.56.
• Adams County School District 50 is asking voters for a mill levy override to generate $5.25 million in the first year to make up for funding cuts in the last few years and prevent the district from making budget cuts in the next year. The override would raise annual taxes on a $100,000 home by $79.56.
• Commerce City is asking voters for a 1 percent sales tax increase that would generate up to $15 million annually to fund three new parks and a new recreation center, as well as improvements to Tower Road between 80th and 103rd avenues. The 1 percent sales increase would be added to the current 3.5 percent city sales tax.
• Thornton is asking for an extension of a 0.25 percent sales tax through 2038. The tax is currently set to expire at the end of 2018. Revenues would be used for open space parks and recreation, trails and senior facilities among other improvements.
• Northglenn is seeking to extend a 0.5 percent sales tax through 2025. The tax is currently set to expire at the end of 2015. Revenues would be used “exclusively for the city’s water supply,” the ballot says.
• South Adams County Fire Protection District No. 4 is asking for a tax increase to raise $4.27 million in the first year to fund replacement of firetrucks, update equipment and hire additional firefighters.
Yesenia Robles: 303-954-1372, yrobles@denverpost.com or
