Public comment urges repeal of Aurora grocery tax and opposes proposed hotel tax increase

During the public‑comment portion of the Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept. 2, a resident identified as Sun Knight urged the council to reverse the city grocery tax and to reject a proposed increase in hotel occupancy and hotel room fees. “The Aurora City Council recently approved keeping the city grocery tax while the state tax on the grocery is gone,” Sun Knight said, urging alternative revenue solutions and arguing that the grocery tax burdens low‑income families.

Sun Knight also said, “We are also opposing the hotel occupancy tax from 3% to 6% and the $10 fees to the hotel rooms,” warning that higher hotel taxes could deter visitors and harm local businesses. The speaker called for replacement revenues instead of tax increases and said like‑minded residents would organize at the polls if the council did not change course.

Why it matters: the grocery tax and proposed hotel tax changes are city budget tools that directly affect household costs, local tourism and business competitiveness. Public comment asked the council to prioritize relief for low‑income residents and to consider alternate budget measures.

Other public‑comment themes that evening: another speaker, Sandy Schmidt, used her three minutes to thank city crews and the 311 call center for their storm response after a recent large storm, praising streets staff for quick work removing trees and clearing routes. Ray Hall, who also addressed the council, urged deeper departmental budget cuts, cited past furloughs and expressed concern about personnel growth and general‑fund pressure; he criticized the administration’s use of paid time off for certain street department staff following the storm.

Council response: the council did not debate or respond during the public‑comment period; staff were directed by the council’s public‑comment rules to follow up with members of the public on matters within the city’s authority after the meeting adjourned.