Westminster City Council took the first step on June 9 to have a polling document prepared to be used by Magellen Strategies to garner voters’ opinions on both the Fire Department improvements, which have previously been identified, along with a new roads improvement package.
The Fire Department package will be scaled back from last year’s attempt if it goes on the ballot. The far northeast fire station will be financed by Urban Renewal funds and the training center will have different funding, so there would be some scaling back of the cost and the needed funding.
The roads component is new for the public to consider. Council believes it is important to improve roads in Westminster throughout the city.
A funding mechanism for both the Fire and Roads will be included, involving choices of property tax increase, sales and use tax increase and using bonding.
While there was limited concern on both how high Westminster’s sales tax could become (9.35%) and thinking perhaps next year the economy would be better – which could give further support to the ballot – the council ordered the polling document to move forward.
The whole process to get a ballot question on the November ballot is tight, but can be done. Staff and the consultant will bring a draft polling document for council’s review on June 16.
The whole polling document process was a sore point with city council as then City Manager Mark Freitag chose not to review it with council prior to deciding to place it on the November, 2024 election.
What’s the best timing to seek a tax increase?
That is always the question seeking to find a favorable, supportive environment to ask voters to raise taxes and be successful. This year, the economy is somewhat shaky, especially with President Trump’s on again-off again imposition of tariffs. This especially impacts small businesses not knowing how much inventory to purchase, as well as having to deal with rising prices versus absorbing higher costs.
Also, the mood of the nation is not positive, involving various situations including immigration enforcement, high grocery costs remaining and both the Ukraine War and the Gaza conflict.
However, it could be worse next year.
All levels of government are faced with declining revenues and rising costs. Plus, previous federal grants and funds are next to a thing of the past. All the flush COVID 19 federal funds are gone. And it will be the mid-term Congressional elections that have all the indications of being a rowdy set of contests between the two political parties.
Of course, the council will have the benefit of the polling results. However, last year’s results could not have been much more favorable on the Fire Department improvement package supporting a 5% sales and use tax increase. Assuming favorable polling results this time, I would go ahead and put the package on the ballot.
However, if it is defeated this time, a third attempt would be slim or none. This also assumes that the council and city manager get out and promote/campaign for the ballot issue. I know they are doing some community meetings now, but they will need printed material to be mailed to all voters.
The fire union members should weigh in too and provide boots on the ground to distribute literature and do door knocks.A lot is riding on this ballot proposal, and all means should be called to help.
Opportunity to support fish of Westminster Food Bank
As you probably are aware, more and more people find themselves in need of food. They may have lost their job or cannot find a job or have other circumstances. Inflation has certainly played a role in coming up short on having enough money to grocery shop.
FISH of Westminster, also called the Westminster Food Bank, has played an important role in supplying food to families and individuals for many years. The need has grown significantly with more and more people coming to get food.
With more people in need, there is a need to provide financial support to the food bank. They are having a Spaghetti Fundraiser from 3:00- 6:00 p.m. on June 21. It’s a good deal with adults paying $10 and $7 for children.
It’s a full meal with spaghetti, salad, bread, drink and dessert. You can eat in or take it to go.
It’s all happening at the Westminster Presbyterian Church at 3990 W. 74th Avenue. Tickets can be purchased by calling the church at 303-489-8508 or accessing their website at https://www.coloradogives.org and search for FISH of Westminster.
You can stay out of the kitchen, have a nice meal and support a very good cause.
Thornton update on review of city charter
In 2024, during the time their 2024 City Charter ballot question was being prepared, the City Council directed the City Attorney to review the Charter to determine the need for any legal updating.
The review has been completed to achieve readability, clarification and to cross-reference accurate sources of law as well as deleting obsolete provisions.
Some changes are simply “housekeeping” related. The council will need to move quickly to prepare any ballot proposal for the November election, as August 12 is the deadline.
Such reviews and updating of a city charter are a good business practice as the charter is the “bible” of authority, spelling out the council-manager form of local government assignments and detailing overall governance.
Westminster is considering red light and speed cameras
Attention all speeders in Westminster: The Police Department is researching additional speed enforcement techniques via red light and speed cameras – known as Automated Vehicle Identification System (AVIS).
Per state law, municipalities can designate specific roads as a “speed corridor” and use camera enforcement and issuance of speeding tickets. Red light cameras can be installed at intersections based on local decision. Running a red light involves the issuance of a traffic ticket as well.
According to Police Chief Norm Haubert, several vendors provide AVIS services. Cost estimates for covering all four directions at an intersection range from $18,000 to 32,000 per month.
Fine revenue covers vendor costs, with any remaining revenues retained by the municipality. The Chief indicates that one or two staff personnel would be needed for speed camera enforcement and as many as seven positions for red light camera enforcement.
Violations captured by the AVIS systems are issued citations to the registered vehicle owner, not necessarily the driver. Violations do not impact the individual’s driving record and no points are assessed.
The fine schedule is set by state law and includes Speeding ($40), Speeding school district or construction zone ($80) and Red Light violations ($75).
Elizabeth price was a true Westminster pioneer
We lost a very good friend and staunch Westminster supporter recently with the passing of Elizabeth Price.
Liz was born at her parents’ home in Reamsville, Kansas in 1927. which was the same house that her father was born in, on the land her grandfather had settled before 1900.
She graduated from C.U. with a BA degree in 1950. She married Garnet Price in 1951, when they built the home on Meade Street and raised five children.
Elizabeth started her teaching career with Adams County School District 50 in 1951 at Westminster High School and then substituted at Hodgkins Junior High. Later she moved to Ranum High School and taught journalism.
She was very active in her church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, along with the Retired School Employees Association and the City’s Library Board for 25 years.
Liz knew the vibe and what was going on in the community. She was a source of information, but more importantly, she was an influencer whom people respected. Her quick wit was a blessing.
Bill Christopher is a former Westminster city manager and RTD board member. His opinions are not necessarily those of Colorado Community Media. You can contact him at bcjayhawk68@gmail.com.