Transcript Golden
October 31, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
ourgoldennews.com
Jefferson County, Colorado • Volume 147, Issue 48
Funding methods for DDA causes division
TREE LINES
Talks on TIF, school funding a sensitive point By Amy Woodward
awoodward@ourcoloradonews.com
ited domestic violence abusers from having guns. The new law puts in place a process by which state courts ensure that offenders relinquish their weapons. Those who receive courtimposed protection orders must relinquish their weapons and ammunition for the duration of their court order. They can do so either through legitimate gun sales or transfers, or through temporary relinquishment to law enforcement. The law also applies to offenders who are convicted of domestic violence cases. The rally also served as a call for more domestic violencerelated policy action. In front of those who spoke, there sat nine chairs that were covered in women’s clothing, which symbolized the number of women who are killed each week as a result of gun violence. Senate Bill 197 was one of a handful of Democrat-sponsored gun bills that became law
With only five days left to vote on city and county matters, the discussion for a creation of a Downtown Development Authority or DDA has been an ongoing discussion with organizations and residents. City Council appointed 14 members to a downtown development task force to evaluate GURA projects and its sources for funding. The task force recommended continuing project funding through the creation of the Downtown Development Authority, which will carry on the downtown development plans through a sevenmember board appointed by city council. The DDA’s life expectancy is 30 years, with the option of two 10-year extensions. Aside from occasional grants, funding for the DDA will come from two main sources; a 5 mill levy and tax increment financing or TIF. Currently, and in the past, a TIF was used as a funding tool for GURA’s redevelopment projects. If the DDA should be created, a base year amount would be established on property and sales tax generated within the DDA boundary. Property tax is adjusted every two years by the county assessor’s office, and typically increases. The difference between the tax revenue collected in the base year, and what will be collected in future years is the “increment” used in tax increment financing. The base year will be established by the city council after a development plan is created by DDA which will dictate the use of revenues and projects. The development plan must be approved by city council. Increment funds will not accrue for the first few years, due to lack of new development projects to increase property tax levels more than the base year. “They won’t get any increment revenue next year because that’s pledged to GURA,” Mark Heller, director of GURA said. With property assessments happening every two years, GURA is entitled to taxes generated in 2014 that is payable in 2015, the county, city and schools will receive money in 2015, payable in 2016 which includes GURA’s tax increment revenue. There has been concern the use of a TIF will take money away from schools and other city and county services that use property tax revenue. Under the Public School Finance Act of 1994, the state is to “backfill” that loss in revenue. “Schools are made whole, real or perceived,” Heller said about TIF’s. “Still taxpayers do get a hit because of money taken out of the state general fund to “backfill.” Steve Bell, chief operations officer for
Rally continues on Page 7
DDA continues on Page 7
Jesse Crock, artist and teacher at Westridge Elementary in Littleton, mixes paints for his latest mural on the west side of the Foss building on 13th Street and Washington Avenue. The mural was commissioned by Vital Outdoors. Crock is almost finished with the mural depicting aspen trees, pine trees and mountains. Photo by Amy Woodward
Rally held for Hudak-backed gun bill Bill seeks to remove guns from domestic violence situations By Vic Vela
vvela@ourcoloradonews.com State lawmakers who were instrumental in crafting gunrelated domestic violence legislation this year spoke at a Capitol rally on Oct. 26, in hopes of bringing awareness to crimes against women. The event, which honored Domestic Violence Awareness Month, highlighted a Colorado law that stemmed from this year’s passage of Senate Bill 197, which makes it more difficult for domestic violence offenders to own or transfer a gun. “We’re here to celebrate the successful passage of the bill, but more importantly we’re getting a message out that we have a law, and that people can be protected and they don’t have to cower at home in fear,” Sen.
State Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Arvada, is flanked by fellow Democratic lawmakers, Reps. Beth McCann of Denver, left, and Rhonda Fields of Aurora, as she speaks at a Capitol rally on Oct. 26, in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The nine seats in front of the legislators signify the number of women who are killed every week as a result of gun violence. Photo by Vic Vela Evie Hudak, D-Westminster said prior to the event. Hudak sponsored the legislation, along with fellow Democratic lawmakers who also spoke at the event, Reps. Beth
POSTAL ADDRESS
McCann of Denver and Rhonda Fields of Aurora. Prior to Gov. John Hickenlooper signing the bill into law in June, there had already been a law on the books that prohib-
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