Agenda Date: 03/13/2018
Subject:
Title
Discussion pertaining to the concept of a Capital Projects Reserve Account should the voters of the City of Littleton approve inclusion into the South Metro Fire Rescue for fire and emergency medical services commencing on January 1, 2019
Body
Presented By:
Steve Kemp, City Attorney; Tiffany Hooten, Finance Director
BACKGROUND:
The city funds its contribution to the Littleton Fire Rescue partnership through several sources of revenue including sales tax, emergency medical services transport fees, property taxes and other fire-related revenues. The city's total fire expense in 2018 is approximately $7.1 million. The city does not have a dedicated revenue source to fund fire services. Unlike the city, special districts in Colorado are funded primarily by mill levies assessed on real and personal property within the district. Currently, South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) imposes a mill levy of 9.25 mills. Future increases in mill levies are subject to voter approval due to the Colorado Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR).
At its workshop on February 3, the council discussed inclusion with SMFR. The council reached consensus on the following:
1. Should a majority of the voters approve inclusion into SMFR, the city will reduce its mill levy by 4.662 mills and thereby retain 2 mills.
2. Should a majority of the voters approve inclusion into SMFR, the city will redirect a portion of revenues budgeted for fire and emergency medical services to fund improvements to city streets and transportation.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
Based on the council consensus, the city attorney has prepared a draft ordinance for council discussion. It is intended that this ordinance will be submitted with the proposed Pre-Inclusion Agreement between the City of Littleton and SMFR. The concept of the ordinance is to establish a formal policy of the city council that would be enacted into legislation. This enactment will provide that t...
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