[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6551878,"mediaKeyId","5323100-10d1f8d93125529849f8bd9d3557ff68","parentId",5323100,"title","Westminster poll shows majority support for 0.35% sales tax for fire and streets when informed; council weighs 0.40% ask and an education push","audioSeconds",904,"startMs",6278000,"endMs",7182000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5323100-10d1f8d93125529849f8bd9d3557ff68&start=6278&end=7182","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5323100-10d1f8d93125529849f8bd9d3557ff68/thumbnail_6278000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6551878/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-poll-shows-majority-support-for-035-sales-tax-for-fire-and-streets-when-informed-council-weighs-040-ask-and-an-education-push","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551878-9ed08ec12df58c2387eba1bb781c68e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184321&Signature=M3eKyTrea00AM9xvvVbuTu8pQtvZg0Wf~8jFcCxHiFR6Lc3ISNj9LLA6IlniV5R8AfVcM-92znTr62xbk2BM3HIlGVujwn-VfWNrRQahxZAMf-54gZfyT2M3eXqSJIoxlgcKH3BlpVkhPIuEAlxeMDy3BmP73c5u~JIL2taJ9~~M1BUn9lS~YoC7fTIykNwV~wnjfSXCZ6gqtemSUvz00xo-QDAqDm-spXWtr9k-Cyar9z-0xEFpa8-TA8WD8-iyeppMG0nIE8AisEh3BaIFNlHRYYfzLiI2nBZ-kP-g2PWdpXrz~uWF5lAGsb7bu6MZo9R-7iknDqEPQ2dD~LWrIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Westminster City, CO","date","2025-07-08T03:54:31Z","article","Magellan Strategies presented survey results at the July 7 Westminster City Council study session showing majority support for a point‑of‑sale tax increase to fund emergency services and neighborhood streets when respondents were provided information about needs and impacts.

Methodology and headline results: Magellan reported completed interviews with 1,506 registered Westminster voters from June 24–30, weighted to reflect likely odd‑year turnout and a margin of sampling error about ±2.5 percentage points. Uninformed support for a 0.35% sales tax measure was reported at 61%; after respondents read explanatory material about how the money would be used for fire staffing, response‑time maintenance, and a total‑street approach (pavement, sidewalks, curbs, gutters), support increased to 66% with 23% opposed and 11% undecided.

Magellan also tested a combination measure that paired a temporary capital property‑tax (mill levy) for station construction and a reduced sales‑tax portion for operations. When both options were presented together, only 32% said they would vote yes on both; another 20% favored the sales tax only and not the property tax. Respondents who opposed either measure most commonly cited that \"taxes are already too high,\" affordability concerns, or skepticism about budget priorities.

Council discussion focused on strategy, timing and outreach. Staff highlighted a town hall planned for July 24 to give residents more detail and invited councilors to participate in community outreach. Several council members and stakeholders present — including representatives of the firefighters' union and the Westminster Chamber of Commerce — argued for moving forward this year and for a robust, targeted education campaign; others urged caution because odd‑year electorates skew older and are more sensitive to tax increases.

A number of councilors and staff raised the option of increasing the ask slightly from 0.35% to 0.40% in order to fund more immediate capital needs (for example, renovation of an additional station). Fire union representative August Rasche told council the union prefers the higher figure because it would address station conditions and crew safety. Several councilors said they preferred a single sales tax question rather than running a split sales/property package, citing voter comprehension and stronger measured support for the sales tax alone.

Staff said they had not yet finalized a campaign budget and would return quickly with a recommended education/engagement budget and plan if council directed staff to proceed. Councilors asked staff to prepare target lists and canvassing plans; staff noted that odd‑year turnout means fewer actual ballots to reach but also requires more targeted outreach. Staff also said the city has already increased pre‑ballot engagement compared with the prior year and would use events, town halls, printed materials and partnerships with volunteers and community groups to amplify outreach.

No formal council vote was held at the study session. Multiple councilors indicated support for putting a sales‑tax measure on the ballot this year (a number of council members said they would back raising the proposed ask to 0.40%), and staff requested direction to finalize ballot language, an education plan and a proposed budget to bring back to council for formal authorization.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Westminster City Council Study Session | July 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Polling by Magellan Strategies found informed support of 66% for a 0.35% sales tax increase to fund fire department staffing and a total‑streets maintenance program; a combined property‑tax-and‑sales‑tax option tested more weakly. Councilors discussed stepping up outreach, scheduling a July 24 town hall and the possibility of raising the ask to 0.40%.","taxTitle","Westminster, Jefferson County, Colorado","taxId",2385,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551883,"Westminster staff backs joining Jefferson County regional cold‑weather sheltering IGA; estimated net 2025 cost $55,000–$65,000",274,2510000,2784000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5323100-10d1f8d93125529849f8bd9d3557ff68&start=2510&end=2784","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5323100-10d1f8d93125529849f8bd9d3557ff68/thumbnail_2510000.jpg","/articles/6551883/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-staff-backs-joining-Jefferson-County-regional-coldweather-sheltering-IGA-estimated-net-2025-cost-5500065000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551883-000abc2abb743e88b27277acc9de7886/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184321&Signature=R-vWQECCHky4ViEcGlTOa-HkbSkghhUFGC5JeTzDteSiKcqkdWorNX1Pa-9IArRf~yxwSK3cjf70cTV7lskdb2av6s~B26p0lawno~XfKdC3PvPIrNfJ1lTHj7Hu8brUXq6ze6JodBe6w3Y25Xw5lPU83DhC~b8MDY8ky9aFFnZFsTa54KdgADiGKlPpnS9KyIdI2m2QOrx9JA4MXM2WWnTqUHnxwKsTHhl9dbOjmpLCIrg3DnEkuQOsLyHUSL~t6UWKX22PwI~5pYsKiKTnknsvonXVQ579AXZjpQxGr~voBWIrzPpQoyFQ~Kl3DQCu5neuc0sZwlvkaNgPHNTCmQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the July 7 Westminster City Council study session that they plan to pursue a regional intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with Jefferson County and area cities for next season's cold‑weather sheltering and related services.

City Manager Jody Andrews and Senior Management Analyst Kate Skarbek (navigator team lead) described follow‑up work with other Jefferson County municipalities after a spring forum at Westview Recreation Center. Staff said the countywide approach recognizes that people experiencing homelessness do not respect municipal boundaries and that a regional pool of shelter and voucher resources can reduce movement between cities and improve access to services.

Staff described a regional funding estimate of about $2,000,000 for next season. Using a population‑share methodology, Westminster's pro‑rata share is roughly 8%, which staff put at $164,720. Andrews said staff will request authorization to authorize the city manager to commit up to $175,000 to provide a contingency while negotiations finalize details. Staff said Westminster would deduct from that amount the city’s existing costs for the MAC activations (about $69,000 last season) and its voucher program; after those credits, staff estimated Westminster's net new cash contribution would be roughly $55,000–$65,000 for the coming year.

Kate Skarbek told council that last season Westminster's MAC and vouchers covered the majority of the city's cold‑weather hotel placements for residents with Jefferson County ties — she used point‑in‑time and activation-night counts to estimate the local share. Staff said the IGA is currently for a single year and that more detailed terms (cost reconciliation, utilization mechanics, and governance related to any future navigation center) remain under negotiation.

Councilors asked for and received a breakdown of jurisdictional shares in the draft plan: Jefferson County (~$720,000), Lakewood (~$556,000), Arvada (~$432,000), Westminster (~$165,000 gross before credits), Wheat Ridge (~$103,000), Golden (~$62,000), Edgewater (~$21,000). Andrews emphasized the negotiated inclusion of Westminster's MAC and voucher costs in the regional accounting; he said that inclusion reduces Westminster’s incremental payment this year compared with a straight population share that would not credit local programs.

Several councilors praised the regional approach and supported Westminster’s participation; some said they appreciated a one‑year pilot so partners could re‑assess funding and operations after a season. No formal council vote was recorded during the study session; staff asked for council direction to proceed with finalizing the IGA and to return with final agreements and any required budget adjustments. Staff said the anticipated net fiscal impact to Westminster is within existing 2025 budget authority and would not require a supplemental appropriation if council authorizes manager action as requested.

Councilors and staff noted that longer‑term regional plans could also affect negotiations for a second navigation center elsewhere in Jefferson County; participation in the IGA could help secure regional beds or services for Westminster residents when needed.","City staff said they will pursue a Jefferson County intergovernmental agreement to share cold‑weather sheltering costs and operations; Westminster’s population share is about 8% of a roughly $2 million regional plan, with an estimated net 2025 cash impact to Westminster of about $55,000–$65,000 after credits for city‑run sheltering and vouchers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6551888,"Westminster staff proposes ordinance to let city manager set rules for all city-owned properties",2217,1455000,3672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5323100-10d1f8d93125529849f8bd9d3557ff68&start=1455&end=3672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5323100-10d1f8d93125529849f8bd9d3557ff68/thumbnail_1455000.jpg","/articles/6551888/Westminster/Jefferson-County/Colorado/Westminster-staff-proposes-ordinance-to-let-city-manager-set-rules-for-all-city-owned-properties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6551888-a1c22a0cc2585afc1a15d696dd3fcf06/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184321&Signature=k4JNuECwhIQWWvv39SU7wSPoRLI0-DxwwZWtakQpwygDlokjr1S5UGRpUBdkOfk6hdv6kuT7C2UWGWUgXgeD~60C6TzJKwomJT7q4CKgBGB5M5sSj3HW8hQMe0wigffS0t6mFkF07GW6E9p10ZeYsRrHI1~OfImDfR-B1nN3JhGyHPyBQPghMrwPK7JkhJ1x~mlrqExzInS8I771DnFxHzcpcKDeGeqoG6XVGVRsFE6A2JX4pZW8DerVTwyf5xQ8DqSnr2lpEG4LCIWAHgQPwxCCjKCokEHav36F9cGcTs5VE3N~j2JyGOgD~lTbsXjkDZfuBJF3E2nWz-vpOzqOEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented a draft ordinance at the July 7 Westminster City Council study session that would explicitly give the city manager authority to adopt rules and regulations for all city-owned and operated properties, not just parks and recreation sites.

City Manager Jody Andrews and Eric Otsilberger, director of Parks, Recreation and Libraries, told councilors the draft mirrors existing Title 13 regulations now applied to parks but fills a gap for other kinds of city property — for example the Big Dry Creek wastewater treatment facility, the 40-acre parcel adjacent to US 36 and Circle Point, and other non‑park sites. Otsilberger said the intent is \"simplicity, consistency, coordination, and multiple departments in coordination and collaboration\" and that park rangers would enforce civil rules similar to how they enforce Title 13 on PRL properties.

Assistant City Attorney Matthew Munch said the draft intentionally avoids listing detailed prohibitions and instead authorizes the city manager (or a designee) to set property‑specific regulations because different properties require different rules. Munch told councilors that trespassing would remain a criminal offense and that \"trespassing is already a crime under the Westminster Municipal Code and the Colorado Revised Statutes,\" meaning police involvement would occur only for criminal conduct or refusal to leave after notice.

Councilors asked about enforcement, fines and impacts on people experiencing homelessness. Munch and Otsilberger answered that most enforcement envisioned would be civil (fines or summons) and that trespass would be used only after advising and asking individuals to leave. Otsilberger and city manager Andrews described the park ranger and navigator teams as a primarily resource‑focused, de‑escalation approach; staff cited recent PRL encampment work showing direct engagement, postings and navigation reduced new and persistent camps across PRL property in the prior year.

Council members also questioned delegation language authorizing a manager designee to promulgate rules. Munch said the designee language is a common code practice to allow continuity when the manager is unavailable, and City Attorney staff and the manager noted the charter gives the manager day‑to‑day operational authority. Staff pledged that any regulations would be made publicly available and that where a violation would constitute criminal trespass the rule would be posted at the affected property.

No formal vote was taken; staff requested direction to return the draft ordinance for formal consideration at a regular meeting. Several councilors expressed support for clarifying the code so that expectations for different city properties are visible and enforceable, while also expressing concern that civil enforcement not be used as a first step against people experiencing homelessness and that fines and court consequences be considered carefully.

City staff said the ordinance would not set specific fines inside the new section; instead it would reference the city's general penalty provisions that the council can change later. Staff recommended continuing with the draft and returning to council for formal first reading once direction is clear.

The study session discussion closes with staff noting the proposed change is intended to codify authority that, in staff's legal review, already exists in implied form elsewhere in city code but is not consolidated in one place.","City staff presented a draft ordinance at the July 7 Westminster City Council study session that would explicitly give the city manager authority to adopt and post rules for all city-owned and operated properties, extending the civil‑regulation approach already used for parks to other facility types.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Westminster poll shows majority support for 0.35% sales tax for fire and streets when informed; council weighs 0.40% ask and an education push

Westminster staff backs joining Jefferson County regional cold‑weather sheltering IGA; estimated net 2025 cost $55,000–$65,000

Westminster staff proposes ordinance to let city manager set rules for all city-owned properties