We’ve all heard the cliché about the only two things that are certain in life. And while that statement likely irritates the libertarian streak in many of us, taxes — like death — are inevitable. Luckily for Wheat Ridge residents, the city sales tax rate is the lowest in the metro area. For that, city leaders should be commended.
However, lean times and fixed borders have conspired against the wishes of city leaders and residents to keep that sales tax low. While officials have trimmed unnecessary spending (in fact, cutting 35 1/2 positions in the past six years), sales tax revenue has not been able to keep the city from cutting important programs and positions along with the nonvital functions of government. For instance, the city’s school resource officer, the neighborhood traffic management program and the traffic control division have all been eliminated or significantly cut. Day-to-day expenses have been covered at times by dipping into the city’s savings account. We believe this is not the way most Wheat Ridge residents want their government to function.
So what’s the answer? Well, complaining about taxes and nitpicking every decision made by this city council or those before it won’t help. Overall, the city has made great strides and has put a priority on running a fiscally responsible government that still responds to the needs of the city. The inevitable answer is that the city’s 2-percent sales tax is too low and needs to be adjusted.
Right now, those shopping in Wheat Ridge pay a 6.2 percent sales tax on retail sales. (This does not include things like groceries and other necessary expenditures.) Of that figure, the city gets only 2 percentage points. The city is asking for an increase of 1 percentage point — a reasonable figure that voters should support.
Currently, only Wheat Ridge and Lakewood have a city sales tax rate of 2 percent. Centennial’s is 2.5 percent and Longmont’s is 2.95 percent. Every other metro area city’s rate is at least 3 percent. The cities of Broomfield and Northglenn have rates of 4.15 and 4 percent, respectively.
What will the increase mean to you? According to the city, at least 10 additional police department personnel, resources for a proactive economic development program and resources to continue to provide park and recreation programs. Those are all important assets for any city. We encourage voters to consider those facts and vote yes in 2A.