Castle Rock considers asking voters for sales tax increase to fund police, fire

DENVER (KDVR) — The town council of Castle Rock is considering placing a request for an additional 0.2% in sales taxes to help fund the hiring of 40 fire and police personnel in the next four years.

The ballot measure has not been officially approved by the town council. A second and final vote is set for Aug. 20, which if approved would present the question to Castle Rock voters on the November ballot. The town said the proposed sales tax would be an additional 20-cent tax on a $100 purchase.

In a release, the town said its sales tax rate has been the same since 2011 and is no longer enough to maintain public safety services, such as the police and fire departments. However, property tax rates have dropped 46% since 2011. The town said this means the owner of a median-priced home in Castle Rock (about $663,000) pays about $37.50 in property taxes to the town.

"The majority of shoppers in Castle Rock come from out of Town, meaning the majority of the Town’s sales tax revenue is not paid by Castle Rock residents," Read Entire Article