Agenda Date: 10/06/2026
Subject:
Title
Resolution 67-2026: A Resolution of the Littleton City Council Supporting a Yes vote on Ballot Issue 4A which seeks voter approval of a $10 Million Mill Levy override for Littleton Public Schools
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Reid B. Betzing, City Attorney |
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Presentations: |
Reid B. Betzing, City Attorney |
PURPOSE:
Staff have prepared information for City Council regarding the Littleton Public Schools (LPS) mill levy override, Ballot Issue 4A, that is part of the November 2026 election.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with Rich Culture; Robust and Resilient Economy
DISCUSSION:
Ballot Issue 4A, if approved by voters in the November 2026 election, would authorize a $10 million mill levy override (MLO) for Littleton Public Schools. An MLO is a voter-approved property tax that provides additional operating revenue to a school district; the revenue stays within the district and is controlled locally. LPS estimates the cost at approximately $25 per year for every $100,000 of home value, or about $150 per year (roughly $13 per month) on a $600,000 home. The revenue would be used to retain and attract teachers and staff by lifting the current wage freeze, sustain academic excellence and career readiness programming, and maintain safe and secure schools and operations. If approved, compensation adjustments negotiated with district employees would be reinstated retroactively to the start of the contract year, and the furlough day scheduled for March would be removed from the school calendar.
BACKGROUND:
Littleton Public Schools serves students in the City of Littleton and surrounding communities and has long been one of the top-performing school districts in Colorado. In 2026, LPS was named a District Accredited with Distinction, the highest accreditation rating awarded by the State. According to the Colorado Department of Education, LPS ranks sixth in starting teacher pay, behind districts including Denver, Aurora, and Cherry Creek.
LPS faces a $10.6 million budget shortfall for the 2026-2027 school year, driven by changes to Colorado’s school finance formula, state-level revenue constraints, declining enrollment, and rising operational costs. District enrollment has fallen from approximately 18,000 students about 15 years ago to just under 13,000 students today. To balance the 2026-2027 budget, LPS implemented central staffing cuts, departmental budget reductions and restructuring, an employee wage freeze, and a districtwide furlough day. The district has described these as one-time, temporary measures and anticipates further reductions in future school years without additional ongoing revenue.
On August 13, 2026, the LPS Board of Education unanimously voted to refer the MLO to the November 3, 2026, coordinated election, which will be administered by Arapahoe County. This is the district’s first mill levy override for staff compensation since 2010. LPS’s existing mill levy overrides, including the operations and technology mill levy approved by voters in 2020, remain in effect.
Prior Actions or Discussions
• The LPS Board of Education unanimously referred the mill levy override to the November 2026 ballot on August 13, 2026.
• The LPS Board of Education considered the 2026-2027 budget, including a districtwide furlough day, and received additional information on a possible mill levy override on June 11, 2026.
• The LPS Board of Education reviewed the 2026-2027 budget outlook and discussed the option of a mill levy override on February 5, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Ballot Issue 4A is a Littleton Public Schools property tax and would not directly affect the City of Littleton’s budget, revenues, or operations. The City would not collect or administer any of the revenue, and adopting a resolution of support requires no City funding.
If Ballot Issue 4A passes, property owners within LPS boundaries, including Littleton residents and businesses located in the district, would see a property tax increase of approximately $25 per year for every $100,000 of home value.
Under the Colorado Fair Campaign Practices Act (C.R.S. § 1-45-117), the City may adopt a resolution taking a position on a ballot issue but may not otherwise spend public funds to urge voters to support or oppose it.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff acknowledge that Ballot Issue 4A would increase property taxes for Littleton residents and businesses within the district at a time when households face other rising costs. However, strong public schools are foundational to Littleton’s quality of life, property values, and economic vitality, and to the City’s ability to attract and retain families and employers. LPS has already made significant reductions, and stable local funding would allow the district to retain high-quality educators, protect classroom programs, and avoid deeper, permanent cuts. Staff recommend that City Council support Ballot Issue 4A.
ALTERNATIVES:
• City Council may choose to take no position on Ballot Issue 4A.
• If Ballot Issue 4A does not pass, LPS anticipates the employee wage freeze and scheduled furlough day would remain in place, and the district would face deeper, permanent budget reductions in future school years.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 67-2026, a resolution of the Littleton City Council Supporting a Yes vote on Ballot Issue 4A which seeks voter approval of a $10 Million Mill Levy override for Littleton Public Schools.