Arvada council votes 7-0 against fire district’s proposed sales tax
The proposed 1% tax would raise an estimated $23.1 million in its first fiscal year for fire and emergency services if voters approve it Nov. 3.
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Arvada City Council voted 7-0 on Oct. 6 to oppose a proposed 1% sales tax for the Arvada Fire Protection District. The council’s vote did not remove the measure from the ballot; voters will decide it Nov. 3. At the meeting, Councilmember Ambrose made the motion to oppose the tax, the recording shows.
The ballot language estimates the tax would raise $23.1 million in its first fiscal year, beginning Jan. 1, 2027. It proposes spending the revenue on fire and emergency services, including staffing, vehicles and equipment, facilities, recruitment and retention, and firefighter health and wellness. The measure would make the revenue change permanent and exempt, among other things, food for home consumption and prescription medicines. The ballot language outlines the proposed uses and exemptions.
Council members raised concerns that the added tax could push shoppers to other cities, hurt Arvada businesses and reduce the sales-tax revenue the city relies on for services. Ambrose said about 80% of the city’s $330 million budget comes from sales taxes.
The fire district has said new funding would help maintain current service levels as costs and demand rise. In an Arvada Press report, district spokesperson Brady Johnson said property-tax revenue had not kept pace with service demands and costs. He said a sales tax would spread costs among people who live, work and spend time in the district.