Clear Creek commissioners send mill-levy increase for fire and EMS to voters after brief debate

The Board of County Commissioners, sitting as the Emergency Services General Improvement District (ESGID) board, voted Sept. 2 to place a property-tax measure on the Nov. 4 coordinated ballot asking voters to set the districtmill rate at 11.459 mills to support Clear Creek Fire Authority and Clear Creek EMS.

Why it matters: county leaders said a decade-long drop in property-tax revenue for parts of the county, sharply higher capital costs for trucks and medical equipment, declining volunteer firefighters and a surge in medical calls tied to a growing elderly population and millions of annual visitors have combined to create a structural shortfall in emergency services funding.

Interim County Manager Colton told the board the EMS fund, now supported primarily by a 0.65-cent sales tax approved in 2019, is running an operating deficit: "We are currently facing a $500,000 operating deficit out of that fund," Colton said during the presentation. He said the EMS fund balance stood at about $200,000 and that the county would otherwise have to shift general-fund dollars to maintain service.

Director Aaron Crowley, who oversees county EMS operations, described sustained increases in call volume. Crowley said EMS handles far more calls per 1,000 residents than typical rural counties and that a large share of calls require long transports outside the county, reducing ambulance availability locally.

Deputy/Assistant Chief Jeremy Jones explained the Clear Creek Fire Authorityside of the problem: volunteers have declined and the authority now depends more on paid staff to reach minimum safe staffing levels. Jones and Colton also cited a large increase in capital costs for specialized equipment: government capital purchases tracked by the Federal Reserve have risen roughly 50% since 2020, they said.

How the plan would work: the ballot question asks voters to adopt a district-wide property-tax rate of 11.459 mills beginning with tax collection year 2026. County staff presented that figure as the amount that would align funding on the countyeast side (where Evergreen Fire Authority operates) with funding in the unincorporated areas. Colton presented an estimate of additional revenue tied to assessed values; the board accepted the staff estimates presented at the meeting.

Board action: Commissioner motion and second led to a recorded voice vote in which commissioners responded "Aye"; the measure passed the board and will appear on the Nov. 4 coordinated election ballot as Resolution R25-01.

What the board decided not to do: staff also proposed a second, related ballot question asking voters to waive the statutory limit on annual property-tax growth (a 5.25% cap). Commissioners discussed the complexity that adding a second question would create for voters and the comparatively small projected revenue gain in the current assessment cycle. The board elected not to submit that second measure to the ballot.

Next steps and communications: County staff said they will publish explanatory materials and asked partners (including the fire authority and municipal members of the ESGID) to coordinate public messaging. Colton said a voter information packet, the mandated blue bookmaterials and a public outreach plan would follow. The board did not direct a formal, countywide advocacy campaign during the meeting; commissioners noted their legal limits on campaigning while acting as the ESGID board but said they can provide factual voter education materials.

Details to watch: the presentation cited an estimated $500,000 operating deficit in EMS, a roughly $1.2 million annual revenue target tied to the proposed mill rate based on preliminary assessed values, and a remaining EMS fund balance of about $200,000. Officials told commissioners the proposed mill rate would fund recruiting and retention, maintain minimum firefighter staffing, keep the third ambulance staffed more consistently, and help pay for capital equipment and wildfire readiness.

Commissioners and staff urged voters to look for follow-up public meetings and written materials that will explain how the district would spend any new revenue. The question will appear on the Nov. 4 coordinated election ballot under Resolution R25-01.