[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6426891,"mediaKeyId","5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b","parentId",5905502,"title","Littleton council endorses South Metro Fire Rescue 3‑mill property‑tax request; vote 5–1","audioSeconds",417,"startMs",4838000,"endMs",5255000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b&start=4838&end=5255","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b/thumbnail_4838000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6426891/Littleton-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Littleton-council-endorses-South-Metro-Fire-Rescue-3mill-propertytax-request-vote-51","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426891-19365d6d55298bfa3f98c2027c9e4d0f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994122&Signature=deG~6z0FqJrFfu~CPDt3ix5WQUa5aDgX6iHHbT3suivYyb5ceDu7ejoYJJ9IP1RKEZY9NW-DhGiCb5ADIF~O1zdSzW3cGwF8T6TEp1oRM1q3Q-Uylp8XGBfGtUv4FFJNVd1rDE2NDGIaXNLmRevysegmjL1ByzgfKgvGmb2xFONkawUta-Z7odc~l5toQiFiwJQFLLdzfwLharfts8mq0Yy0WWzsD~CaHY8-~NoO9XytRyisIj43DUe8oa9H1cQuXE08HpFKR43wO5QSWq66oGJLaqcp4MWYJPsTJL~s5oVq~T9mZC3QErqU7hfmfY~3fIsOp8vElyTiWz5-qGumVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Littleton City, CO","date","2025-10-08T04:20:04Z","article","Littleton City Council voted 5–1 on Oct. 7 to adopt a resolution supporting South Metro Fire Rescue Fire Protection District’s request for a 3‑mill increase in property tax, a measure to appear on the Nov. 4 ballot as Ballot Issue 7A.

The council considered financial information presented earlier by South Metro and summarized by the city attorney. The city attorney said the district projects a 2026 shortfall of $16 million and an almost $270 million shortfall over 10 years if current funding and cost trends continue. The proposed increase would raise the district’s levy from 9.25 mills to 12.25 mills. The city attorney noted that a homeowner with an assessed value that equates to a $750,000 market value would pay roughly $11.72 more per month if the increase passes, about $140 a year.

Council members who supported the resolution framed the vote as a public‑safety and fiscal‑stability measure. “It is our responsibility to be clear about when we think there are measures in front of the voters that are good for the community,” Council member Reichert said during debate. Council member Joel Zink said he supported the district’s choice of a property tax increase rather than a sales tax because property tax revenue is more consistent for an essential service.

Council member Pat Driscoll said he was uncomfortable the council was taking a position that could influence voters’ decisions and voted against the resolution. Otherwise, council discussion emphasized the district’s need to maintain response times and equipment procurement amid rising personnel and equipment costs.

The resolution urges Littleton residents to vote yes on Ballot Issue 7A. The measure will still be decided by the electorate on Nov. 4.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular Meeting - 10/07/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted 5–1 on Oct. 7 to approve a resolution urging Littleton voters to support South Metro Fire Rescue’s request for a 3‑mill property‑tax increase (ballot issue 7A). The city attorney outlined the district’s budget shortfall and the anticipated revenue impacts of the mill increase.","taxTitle","Littleton City, Arapahoe County, Colorado","taxId",52180,"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},6426902,"Littleton council opposes charter amendment 3A after hours of public comment",4588,738000,5326000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b&start=738&end=5326","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b/thumbnail_738000.jpg","/articles/6426902/Littleton-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Littleton-council-opposes-charter-amendment-3A-after-hours-of-public-comment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426902-80691f5e22926b88897cd006e7941979/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994122&Signature=JLYUX2MtEf5Gxvm3S3QTk2TXp5rPyG81Anu3VmucLCaRZjbK77Zv9xb9LJpD4r7vlpfwCJqvTr8iV0PFnXkigFP5Ono4DxtynFs~CXEzO3-tY~l5NOkbiDt3lvSZ79PBxjWFMHC4BOqxhaAd4awOxRtdCKr46CTMuRkcoxOJKowQpUBKxQ1e5O57Od4L2hoiqKNkkoj7-sJFt-vYzT1GL7M7rlQ79RAwwq~xN1ARvpU0hJPPUOaGuLdhxv3sBvxlWIfanx~48qLOOc-mxF8Om9miepqNdKZXZJWAiO91jxrpwsy-qd7~5fNt6MavVG80zlq~VoBEIesB5DBA6vfF0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Littleton City Council voted 5–1 on Oct. 7 to adopt a resolution opposing Charter Amendment 3A, a citizen‑filed ballot measure that would place restrictions on residential land use in the city charter and require voter elections for city‑initiated rezonings and certain text amendments.

The measure, placed on the Nov. 4 ballot after petitioners submitted a sufficient number of signatures, drew sustained public comment both for and against the amendment and raised legal questions from the city attorney about how it could interact with state law. Mayor Kyle Schlechter and five council members approved the resolution opposing 3A; Council member Pat Driscoll cast the lone no vote.

Supporters and opponents made lengthy appearances during the public‑comment period. “The only thing I ask is that as you discuss it publicly, you use factual information to back your position instead of any hyperbole or unknown maybes,” said Corey Palmero, identifying himself as a District 4 resident and an advocate for the amendment. Britney Decker, another speaker, said of the proposal: “Ballot 3A does feel like it's an assault on our freedoms.” Other speakers said the ballot measure would protect neighborhood character or, conversely, would freeze rights homeowners recently gained through council action.

City staff outlined the legal and procedural concerns the amendment raises. The city attorney said petitioners had filed the item and the clerk verified sufficient signatures, and that the petition’s language would, if enacted, “place within the city charter certain restrictions on single family land use.” The attorney cautioned that because the charter amendment would lock some land‑use rules to an “arbitrary date of 01/01/2025,” it “risks the city's ability to comply with state law requirements, putting the city at risk of costly litigation and government funding opportunities.” The attorney also noted the city filed a related court petition to seek clarification in advance of the election and said interveners were permitted under state statute.

Council members who supported the resolution cited ambiguity in the amendment and the likelihood of legal challenges if the charter and state law conflict. “An ambiguous legislative language leads to lawsuits,” Council member Joel Zink said during debate. Council member Reichert said it was important for elected leaders to take a stand where disinformation and hyperbole were circulating in the public debate.

Council member Driscoll, who voted no, said he favored letting voters decide without the council taking an official position and urged the body to defer to the public vote.

The council amended the resolution once on a minor wording change before the final vote and then approved the resolution opposing 3A, 5–1. The resolution itself urges Littleton voters to vote No on Charter Amendment 3A but does not remove the measure from the ballot; the amendment will still appear for voters on Nov. 4.

The petition, the council said, raises multiple legal questions the city may need to resolve in court if the amendment passes; city staff advised that the charter language’s interaction with recent state laws about accessory dwelling units and other land‑use matters creates potential conflicts.

The measure and the council’s resolution do not change voters’ access to the ballot. The council’s resolution is a formal statement of position; the electorate will decide the amendment’s fate on Nov. 4.","After more than two hours of public comment and legal questions from staff, Littleton City Council voted 5–1 to adopt a resolution opposing Charter Amendment 3A, which would lock certain single‑family land‑use rules into the city charter and require voter approval for city‑initiated rezonings or text amendments in residential zones.",{"_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},6426870,"Council adopts 'percent for public art' policy for city capital projects",413,4067000,4480000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b&start=4067&end=4480","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b/thumbnail_4067000.jpg","/articles/6426870/Littleton-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Council-adopts-percent-for-public-art-policy-for-city-capital-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426870-087d09eb8b7f2ba5fd89a6ea048d4e32/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994123&Signature=jDUGAu-gph135VIBez4V4JvDWWjAbvBIAw2WgbPbyVY9lpw57g-CCyxdylsoWIQRSgfERcG2UMkxiGdUc2zDyGEPNR-O7v57t5nZQr9YkHkAcbw8fdequ9sNedov54Qw4oaAX6y2E9S36yWzZhHAzBxYDanHYqpp~yuMmvIF~btkYvh3T-iG5IF3PGojVwQsBnQhYDupCht~DFSZpnHpaprakeuI-xHEFu7-QA60wJS8bHbhqFueCFbhtPKvrt5brsQDi2RVih1tisUFU393VmDI0Pd1uJEIAg6MwJ9-KtMr48UzwIh8jxL-RmbMCpODaVrKWBoijlHszAND1WwlWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On Oct. 7 the Littleton City Council approved a policy establishing a percent‑for‑public‑art program that will allocate up to 1% of qualifying city public construction project costs to integrate or acquire public art, or require a fee‑in‑lieu when art cannot be integrated. The vote on Resolution 93‑2025 was unanimous, 6–0.

The policy applies to city public construction projects with an aggregate construction cost above $500,000, with a fee of up to 1% of actual construction cost for use on site‑integrated art. Projects where art is not feasible would pay a 1% fee‑in‑lieu to a dedicated account administered by the Arts and Culture Board. The policy includes exclusions for routine maintenance, pavement management, temporary improvements and projects funded wholly by non‑city sources, and sets an upper exemption for very large projects (projects over $50 million) and a lower floor that guarantees $25,000 in a year when qualifying public project totals fall below $2.5 million.

JD McCrumb, chair of the Arts and Culture Board, and Anna Deisteen, the city’s public‑art administrator, presented the program and said the board recommended adoption to implement the council‑approved arts and culture strategic plan. The board also sought and incorporated council feedback from a study session in August, including limits and clarifications about how the program would be applied across projects.

Council members praised the arts board and staff for drafting a program that ensures recurring funding for public art while including exemptions and a minimum annual allocation. Council member Reichert said the policy was well crafted; multiple council members described it as an expression of community values.

The policy directs the Arts and Culture Board to manage the funds and to develop acquisition and installation procedures. The council approved the resolution 6–0.","Littleton City Council approved a policy creating a percent for public art program that allocates up to 1% of qualifying public construction costs for public art or a fee‑in‑lieu, with exemptions and upper/lower limits; council vote was 6–0.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426883,"Littleton approves 2026 operating plan and budget for Downtown Development Authority",645,3490000,4135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b&start=3490&end=4135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b/thumbnail_3490000.jpg","/articles/6426883/Littleton-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Littleton-approves-2026-operating-plan-and-budget-for-Downtown-Development-Authority","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426883-98ca43ea63ea87a54d117faa175e3541/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994123&Signature=PIy2oS17GeGDClLMQd1xjRm4YH4-yFwEsUUujCDan305b4LjUBd5QbkI55~i7aG6dy9kPo1cYzQleJ1Y1vf2rkdWBtXU4YUDeJrVpy~c0uYkJR3wXJAZ3~iay-VePDzG-ZPUIE7YyocuVL7gEpC6mm6yS-GErIiQGVSuzGeqj1UgQ6qYaAcLlFjsTXFh5TsjjybBI6NHwTcb9Ap01ftDVVMZVjQOsWr8ly6rqJphlA62U1Lo9mHvVdOTUtxOibtV~bLg-T~s-2P1VIc4cpjiIcQlJYg0a4Qp5Qxn37UPC8NAifWcvScT5W0tuNYG0eDfZqvLAGlNjD1KMCfB26b30A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Littleton City Council approved Resolution 96‑2025 on Oct. 7, adopting the Littleton Downtown Development Authority’s (LDDA) operating plan and 2026 budget. The vote was unanimous, 6–0.

Jenny Starkey, executive director of the LDDA, presented the plan and told council the district will continue contracted cleaning and snow‑removal services, expand beautification and public‑art partnerships, and fund downtown marketing and events to increase visitation and support local businesses. The LDDA reported it raised nearly $50,000 in grants and sponsorships to restore Main Street trees and to support holiday programming.

Starkey said the DDA’s 2025 block‑party and downtown activations drew roughly 14,000 attendees, involved 64 vendors and 28 sponsors, and that the DDA’s email and social‑media engagement rose substantially. The DDA plans to continue snow‑removal contracts with Consolidated Services Group (CSG), expand wayfinding and parking assessments, create a downtown mapping guide, and partner on public‑art projects that are outside Project Downtown’s first phase.

Council liaison Pat Driscoll said the LDDA board approved the budget and the council’s vote clears the way for the district to implement the plan.

Resolution 96‑2025 passed by voice vote; the council recorded the motion carried 6 in favor.","Council unanimously approved the Littleton Downtown Development Authority’s 2026 operating plan and budget, allowing the district to expand cleaning, beautification, marketing and small‑business support in downtown Littleton.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6426866,"Votes at a glance: Littleton City Council, Oct. 7, 2025",49,3315000,3364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b&start=3315&end=3364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5905502-4ce6c289586f60809710a1271232018b/thumbnail_3315000.jpg","/articles/6426866/Littleton-City/Arapahoe-County/Colorado/Votes-at-a-glance-Littleton-City-Council-Oct-7-2025","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6426866-9a281dc9174ed169b486e773dc4957a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770994123&Signature=NkRp1KDWJfQPPukB1D185PWk6rgM4mvwsaKAq-l5Ew~Qx7bs~nm2MpSycLij2ObGoAE4rnXm2-ZdphhbiJFjaqFc0tiT1luZadOA0bPFxkzi3sXFxW-6oBxg1ei0nLijZYuH9X-Bc4WktOgrwXs8XkV1GofDnCasW6iJOyYTWQAQ823FA01sIdKvE6lqyzBl9g2uaQ1rHsWtnNjuncteb79TFoMRqf6DNpOGZsvMFGPugAdy3V9F3TeXIq9tL-2N8YaaQItdPs9G-yMTqIxPe6UJQpZHiYYiTk6eQbCC02LJqTcJ~OcP15qCxo~FYfpj6GfaJCh48JS50WJlL36SDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Here is a concise summary of formal votes and outcomes from the Littleton City Council meeting on Oct. 7, 2025.

- Consent agenda (items A–G): Adopted (motion carried; voting recorded as 6 in favor). Items included first readings of ordinances related to the 2026 municipal budget and tax levies, an easement, dissolution of the High Line business improvement district, cancellation of the Nov. 11 study session, and approval of minutes.

- Resolution 96‑2025 (LDDA 2026 operating plan & budget): Approved 6–0.

- Resolution 93‑2025 (Percent for Public Art policy): Approved 6–0.

- Resolution 100‑2025 (Support for South Metro Fire Rescue Ballot Issue 7A — 3‑mill property tax increase): Approved 5–1 (Council member Pat Driscoll voted no).

- Resolution 99‑2025 (Opposition to Charter Amendment 3A — changes to the city charter related to neighborhood land use): Approved 5–1 (Council member Pat Driscoll voted no). Council amended the resolution wording before final adoption.

Votes recorded at the meeting indicate a council majority supported the LDDA budget, the percent for public art program, and a formal endorsement of the South Metro Fire Rescue tax measure; the council also issued a formal opposition to Charter Amendment 3A. Formal votes do not remove measures from the ballot; ballot measures will be decided by voters on Nov. 4, 2025.","Summary of formal votes taken Oct. 7 by Littleton City Council, including consent agenda, DDA budget, percent for public art, support for South Metro Fire Rescue 7A, and opposition to Charter Amendment 3A.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Littleton council endorses South Metro Fire Rescue 3‑mill property‑tax request; vote 5–1

Littleton council opposes charter amendment 3A after hours of public comment

Council adopts 'percent for public art' policy for city capital projects

Littleton approves 2026 operating plan and budget for Downtown Development Authority

Votes at a glance: Littleton City Council, Oct. 7, 2025