TABOR notices were recently mailed to registered voters in Jefferson County.
The notice included a “con” statement related to Jefferson County Public Library’s mill levy initiative which may create serious misperceptions.
There is no requirement to verify these statements before they’re published.
ISSUES AND FACTS:
Opponents of 1A characterize it as a 30-percent increase in property taxes.
FACT: 1A would increase the mill levy that funds the library, which is only a very small portion of total property taxes. A one-mill increase will cost the owner of an averaged priced home in Jefferson County $1.95 more per month, or about six cents a day.
Opponents suggest that the Library will receive a “substantial” increase in revenue due to the recent rise in property values.
FACT: Given TABOR restrictions, any increase in property tax revenues will be limited to approximately 3.5 percent, not nearly enough to restore library services.
Opponents suggest that the Library will be able to tax and spend with abandon.
FACT: The Library submits an annual budget to the Library Board of Trustees and the Board of County Commissioners for review. Both invite community input, and both have the authority to adjust the Library’s budget to protect taxpayers from excessive spending.
Opponents suggest that a tax increase will hinder economic development.
FACT: Research shows that properly funded public library systems have a major positive impact on their community’s quality of life, economic development and property values.
Jefferson County residents access library services millions of times every year. They use library resources to help their children learn to read, succeed in school and prepare for 21st-century jobs. They use the Library to look for work, update technology skills, and apply for jobs online. Small businesses the Library to research competition, develop targeted mailing lists, find financing and build their businesses. Seniors use library services to stay connected with the world. The Library offers these resources to everyone, without regard for age, race, religion, income level, political affiliation, or any other demographic.
If we want a competitive county; if we want to attract new businesses and further economic development; if we want to give our residents the library services they want and deserve, we need to join together in support of our libraries and Vote Yes on 1A!
Here’s why:
The last mill levy increase for the Library was 29 years ago. Since then, population has increased by 30 percent; cardholders have increased 250 percent; and visits to the library have tripled.
Library services have changed dramatically. In 1986, fewer than 15 percent of US Households had a computer and none had access to the Internet. Now, if you don’t have access to technology, you risk being completely disconnected from the 21st century.
Libraries provide equal access to digital information. Modern libraries now must provide access to traditional materials and technology. Access to these resources is critical to young families, students, entrepreneurs and small business owners across the county.
Since the recession, Library revenue has been reduced by approximately $3 million dollars. They’ve been forced to make drastic cuts in services, including reduced hours and reduced investment in books, materials and technology. They’ve delayed capital maintenance projects and now have more than $14 million of unfunded capital projects stacked up in the pipeline. They need our help.
A modest increase in the Library’s mill levy will allow them to restore open hours, provide more books and materials, update technology, repair and refurbish buildings, stabilize finances and provide a more competitive level of library services.
The community has joined Jefferson County Public Library to support 1A. Many local entities, including Chambers of Commerce, elected officials, the League of Women Voters, Jeffco PTA, Denver Association of Realtors, Evergreen News, Colorado Community Media and others believe in the importance of our local libraries and their value to the community, and they have endorsed the initiative.
Please join us in voting Yes for 1A.
Bob Murphy, Mayor of Lakewood
Steve Burkholder, Former Mayor of Lakewood
Marv Kay, Former Mayor of Golden