September 4, 2014 VO LUME 1 26 | IS S UE 6 | 7 5 ¢
A R A P A H O E C O U N T Y, C O L O R A D O
LittletonIndependent.net
A publication of
Parks district seeking tax hike
GOING WITH THE FLOW
10-year increase would go to general operating expenses By Jennifer Smith
jsmith @coloradocommunitymedia.com
They “allow us to keep the big red trucks, as we call them,” LFR District Chief Jeff Pasker said, “for acute medical calls.” An emergent call, Pasker said, is one that needs immediate 911 attention. A non-emergent call would be one that a person calls 911 for water problems, somebody stuck in an elevator or an odor investigation, he said. The department is studying data on the Quick Cars, including tracking response times, savings in fuel costs, utilization rates and decreasing fire engine and ambulance hours. Staffing is also in consideration. Pasker said eight people are needed for one fire engine or medic unit, but a Quick Car only needs two people. Personnel of a Quick Car includes a paramedic and an emergency medical technician who have access to advanced life support equip-
The South Suburban Parks and Recreation District Board of Directors voted unanimously on Aug. 27 to ask voters to approve a tax hike of two mills. “We’ve cut, we’ve tightened up, we’ve delayed maintenance, we’ve delayed some projects and really worked on what our priorities are,” said John Ostermiller, board our chair. “We’re coming to the end of rope. We’re a very well-managed district. … We offer a lot of benefits to the public, and I think the public expects us to keep doing that.” This November’s Ballot Issue 4A will ask for a property-tax hike of two mills for 10 years — about $16 per $100,000 of a home’s value per year — resulting in about $4.5 million annually in additional revenues for the district to be used for general operating expenses. Priorities include protecting the trails, maintaining parks, installing energysaving systems and replacing aging and inefficient irrigation systems. In May, a citizens’ committee strongly recommended the step, and actually suggested the district also pursue a bond issue. “The mill levy should be for maintenance concerns, with no restrictions, and the bond issue should be for capital improvements that are proposed by the other … subcommittees,” reads the group’s final report. “Project selection criteria should emphasize profitability.” The committee found that aging assets and higher staffing expenses have resulted in budget shortfalls. The 2014 budget summary notes the district doesn’t have enough money to maintain what it already has, let alone to upgrade current facilities. However, in the 46 pages prior to that one in the 49-page report, there are a lot of needs identified, including for a new regional park and field house. The committee recommends that in addition to holding an election, the district should work to find other ways to increase revenue, including such things as legacy donations, public/ private partnerships and specific projectdriven donation campaigns. Board member Scott LaBrash said he felt like a 21-year-old asking his dad for money. “It’s been a big battle for me,” he said. “To me it’s very personal, and it’s conflicting for me to ask for more money. But I think it’s selfish not to let the voters decide. But I feel like we’re kicking the can down the road. If we get more money, we’re going to get used to more money.” Board member Sue Rosser noted that for the price of about four movie tickets per household, they can ensure the district’s health for the next generation. “When you look at your child who’s asking for money, if they’re working and doing a good job and not sitting on the sofa watching TV, you’re more likely to want to help them,” she said. SSPRD’s current share of property tax
Quick Cars continues on Page 9
Election continues on Page 9
Heavy rains swelled the flow in the High Line Canal, transforming the traditional water jump into a thigh-deep wade through rushing water at the Aug. 29 Warrior Invitational at deKoevend Park. Runners from more than 50 schools overcame the water and muddy slopes to run in the meet. For more on the event, go to page 19. Photo by Tom Munds
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P L EA SE R ECYC L E T H I S C OPY
Littleton Fire Rescue recently launched the trial period of the Quick Car program, an alternative first responder vehicle that can be dispatched to non-emergent calls. Photo by Christy Steadman
Responding with the quickness Littleton Fire Rescue in trial phase of Quick Car program By Christy Steadman
csteadman@coloradocommunitymedia.com Littleton Fire Rescue is amid the trial period for a program designed to speed response times and conserve resources. Using vehicles called Quick Cars is an “outof-the-box and innovative way” to better serve the community, said Littleton Fire Rescue Chief Chris Armstrong. The department is testing two types of vehicles for the Quick Cars, a Ford F-150 and a Chevrolet Suburban. In early August, the department launched the trial period of the program, an alternative method to using emergency resources to respond to non-emergent calls.