Agenda Date: 04/17/2018
Subject:
Title
An ordinance on second reading establishing a Capital Projects Reserve Account should the voters of the City of Littleton approve inclusion into South Metro Fire Rescue for fire and emergency medical services.
Body
Presented By:
Tiffany Hooten, Finance Director
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION:
Does city council support establishing a Capital Projects Reserve Account should City of Littleton voters approve inclusion into South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) for fire and emergency medical services?
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. 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 and once the SMFR mill levy becomes effective, the city will reduce its mill levy by 4.662; thereby retaining 2 mills.
2. Should a majority of the voters approve inclusion into SMFR and once the SMFR mill levy becomes effective, the city will redirect a portion of revenues budgeted for fire and emergency medical services to fund improvements to city streets and transportation.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
A draft of this ordinance was presented to council during its study session on March 13.
STAFF ANALYSIS:
The city attorney has prepared an ordinance for council. This ordinance is inten...
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