EVERGREEN — Voters in Evergreen will not see a question from their park and recreation district this year to approve a bond measure or a mill levy increase.
The district’s board members cited and the community’s aversion to tax increases in their unanimous decision.
The district has been studying for years but found in a survey that the community likely will not support the additional spending.
“This is a very clear response that it isn’t viable, especially since it’s less than 50 percent in favor,” said Janet Heck Doyle, the district board president.
This is contradictory to a 2013 survey in which district users showed they they wanted more at their large Buchanan Recreation Center, which boasts an indoor water park and climbing wall.
But worried that , the district hired another firm to reach out to a variety of voters, and that confirmed the board’s decision.
“One of the big issues we have to deal with tonight whether we approve or disapprove going forward is, putting something on a ballot is not a free proposition,” said Peter Lindquist, board secretary. “But there is a cost to asking this — somewhere in the range of $100,000 — which is an awful lot of money that could be used for a lot of purposes.”
Board member John Ellis said that the Evergreen Fire Protection District is also planning to go to voters to ask for a mill levy increase, and with other high-dollar questions planned for the November ballot, voters will feel squeezed.
“Before they cut the fire department out, they’ll say, ‘Well maybe we won’t do the rec center this year,’ ” Ellis said.
Josie Klemaier: 303-954-2465, jklemaier@denverpost.com or @JosieKlemaier
