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Citizen oversight board finds 3A sales-tax spending matches ballot language; committee urges clearer public communications
Summary
The Capital Improvement Sales Tax Board reviewed 2024 expenditures of Littleton's 3A sales-tax fund and reported no misuse of funds, while urging clearer public communications and recommending adding an Environmental Stewardship Board member to the oversight group.
The Capital Improvement Sales Tax Board told Littleton City Council on June 10 that it found no instances of 3A sales-tax funds being used outside the ballot language and urged broader public communications about the program.
Julie Radulovich, a community member on the capital improvement sales tax board, told the council the board reviewed staff-prepared materials and meeting presentations and concluded that spending complied with the ballot language adopted in November 2021. "We didn't find anything, any issues with how the 3A funds were spent in accordance with the charter language," Radulovich said during the study session.
The board's review covered the calendar-year 2024 financials. According to the board's summary presented to council, the 3A fund collected about $12,800,000 in 2024 and spent about $8,800,000 that year, leaving roughly $21,700,000 available for future projects as of the end of 2024. The board reported those figures after meetings in April and May to review the March 31 report staff is required to prepare under the board charter.
John Jones, another citizen member of the board, praised staff responsiveness to the board's questions and the progress on project planning. "Kevin and the team exceeded that benchmark," Jones said, commending staff for turning around requested follow-up information between board meetings.
City staff explained that project-management staffing costs are allocated to the 3A fund in proportion to the time staff spend on 3A projects. City budget manager Kevin Orton told the board that the city allocates the portion of project managers' salaries spent on 3A projects to the 3A fund and that design and other direct project costs are charged to the same fund.
Board members said they had robust questions about timing and sequencing of projects and asked the city to continue improving how it communicates project schedules and the types of work funded by 3A. Radulovich and Jones suggested the council consider adding an Environmental Stewardship Board representative to the oversight board so that environmental and fleet-efficiency projects receive subject-matter input.
The board offered no formal recommendations to change how 3A funds are being used, saying staff appears to be implementing the charter and project plans thoughtfully. Council members thanked the citizen board for its review and public comment.
The presentation also noted planned financing actions tied to specific projects: staff said certificates of participation (COPs) remain planned for some projects (Santa Fe and Mineral projects were mentioned) and that COP proceeds, once issued and appropriated, are expected to repay amounts allocated from 3A so the fund balance remains as shown in the projections.
The board's memo and staff follow-up materials were included in council packets and were discussed at the April 30 and May 29 board meetings. The board asked for and received additional financial detail and project schedules in response to those meetings.
Council members and staff discussed next steps for public outreach and how the board will continue annual reviews under the charter. The board emphasized that more frequent, clearer public communication would help residents understand the range of projects funded by 3A and the multi-year timelines involved.
