The Lone Tree City Council formally supported six November ballot measures on Oct. 4 by approving resolutions that support a yes vote on questions 1A, 1B, 2B, 5A, 5B and Proposition 123.
Ballot issue 1A: Open space tax
One of the questions the city council supports a yes vote for is ballot issue 1A, which asks for voter approval to extend a 0.17% Douglas County sales and use tax for parks, trails, historic resources and open space.
The 0.17% tax is part of Douglas County’s 1% sales and use tax and was approved by voters in 1994. If no action is taken, the tax will sunset in 2024.
“I think accessible open space is a very important issue,” said Mayor Jackie Millet, explaining the value it offers for mental and physical health. “As Lone Tree continues to grow, one of the things we’re most proud of is the amount of land that’s been preserved for open space.”
During a presentation to Lone Tree City Council in July, it was explained that if the measure is approved, the City of Lone Tree would be added to the county’s shareback of tax revenue, as it previously was not included.
“This is also important to the residents of Lone Tree. Unlike the initial measure, this measure — the extension — will benefit our city,” said Mayor Pro Tem Wynne Shaw.
Ballot issue 1B and 2B: Opt-out for Lone Tree and Douglas County
Lone Tree residents will see two similar questions on the November ballot that centers around opting out of Senate Bill 152 — one for Douglas County and one specifically for Lone Tree.
Senate Bill 152, which was introduced in 2005, prohibits most uses of municipal and county public resources for infrastructure to improve local broadband services, or from providing these services directly or indirectly, according to Lone Tree’s website.
“Local voters can authorize their local government to opt out of that and say, ‘We actually do want our local government to be able to use public resources to provide these services,” said Arielle Hodgson, a management analyst for Lone Tree, during a study session in August.
As of spring 2022, voters in about 118 Colorado municipalities, 40 counties and several school districts have passed SB-152 opt-out ballot measures, according to the city’s website.
“Lone Tree prides itself on being a good partner and this was an issue brought to us by Douglas County,” Millet said. “I think it’s an important issue.”
Ballot issue 5A and 5B: Douglas County School District
The Douglas County School District is asking voters for a $60 million mill levy override and a $450 million bond to help raise staff compensation, build and expand schools, do capital maintenance, invest in student programming and more.
Lone Tree council members previously voiced support of the ballot measures during a meeting in September.
“I think that our children are really one of our greatest assets, so for a number of reasons, I’m in support of this,” said Councilmember Marissa Harmon.
“Every tax, we recognize, is a burden, but I think they’ve demonstrated a need and a good stewardship that is proposed for these dollars,” Millet said.
Proposition 123: State affordable housing initiative
The Colorado Sun reported Proposition 123 would set aside up to 0.1% of taxable income each year from the state general fund for affordable housing.
“Our supply of housing is actually much less than what we need. We haven’t been building as much as we needed,” Millet said.
According to the resolution, there were 40% fewer homes built in Colorado from 2010 to 2020 compared to 2000 to 2010.
Millet said Colorado needs to increase the supply of housing and at a price point that residents can afford to purchase and rent. She said housing affordability is a concern for some businesses as well.
Harmon said that a woman who works at her salon and makes “over six figures” cannot afford a home in Lone Tree, where she wants to live.
According to Redfin.com, in August 2022, Lone Tree home prices were up 30% compared to last year and sold for a median price of $975,000.
The resolution states the median home price in Lone Tree is $1.19 million, while the median home price in Colorado is $559,838.
“Nothing is not working,” Harmon said. “I’m excited to support this measure.”
