WEEK OF APRIL 11, 2024
VOLUME 22 | ISSUE 18
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
SPECIAL OLYMPICS COACH OF YEAR FROM PARKER P6
Mayor Pro Tem John Diak ran the town council meeting while the council discussed the resolution to address the financial impact to PHOTO BY HALEY LENA the town if the purchase of food for home consumption is exempt from the town’s sales tax.
Parker officials warn that cutting grocery tax would force budget cuts BY HALEY LENA HLENA@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Parker officials estimate the town’s General Fund would take a significant hit, leading to cuts in services, if voters pass a measure to eliminate a grocery sales tax. The revenue collected from the grocery tax in 2023 was $13.2 million. It included $11 million in the town’s General Fund and $2.2 million for the Parks and Recreation Fund. The town’s council passed a resolution on Tuesday stating that the removal of the tax would result in a significant
loss of revenue and could lead to permanent cuts in services for residents. The issue has stoked concern and consternation among council members and town citizens. Supporters of the Committee of Parker Citizens for Fair Taxes, which is collecting signatures in an attempt to put an initiative to remove the grocery tax on the November ballot, include Mayor Jeff Toborg. Toborg did not vote on the council measure on Tuesday. Supporters want to modernize the Parker Tax Code by eliminating the tax on grocery items in the categories of food for home con-
VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19 | PUZZLES: 24
sumption, feminine hygiene products and diapers. During public comment at the town council meeting Tuesday, five people expressed concerns for what would happen to the town if the grocery tax was to disappear. “If you take this away, you’re gonna get rid of the staff, the police department, everything else is going to break and you’re gonna have nothing,” said longtime resident Carol Baumgartner. The sales tax makes up the majority
ARTIST FINDS INSPIRATION IN THE CYCLE OF LIFE P20
BEST OF THE BEST VOTE NOW – APRIL 15
SEE TAXES, P8
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