Jeffco Board Considers Adding TABOR Proposal To Ballot

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — A new Taxpayer Bill of Rights question could end up on ballots in Jefferson County's November election.

The county's board of commissioners is considering a proposal that would allow Jeffco to keep county taxes, grants and all other revenue in excess of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights limits and other applicable state statutes.

The county will need to cut its budget by $16.1 million over the next year to balance its budget and maintain an appropriate reserve fund, officials said. The county is requiring budget reductions in 2020 across all offices, departments and divisions that are impacted by the general fund, which is financed by property taxes.

Jeffco residents were encouraged to offer their feedback at a hearing Tuesday morning. Jeffco officials said residents would be consulted about how much money the government should be requesting to balance the budget, and how they want to see their tax dollars spent.