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Aurora council delays vote on grocery tax, tables ordinance to Aug. 26
Summary
After extended debate about timing, fiscal context and public outreach, the Aurora City Council voted unanimously to table the proposed municipal grocery retailers’ occupation tax (ordinance 250519) to Aug. 26 so staff can provide additional financial details and the council can hold community meetings.
The Aurora City Council voted 12–0 on July 22 to table consideration of an ordinance (250519) that would enact a municipal grocery retailers occupation tax and a municipal grocery service occupation tax, moving the matter to a date certain of Aug. 26.
Councilmembers debated whether to act now or wait for additional fiscal information and town-hall feedback. Alderman Barrera and others urged postponement so residents can review budget presentations planned at listening sessions; Alderman Smith said Sept. 9 would likely provide a clear budget snapshot but supported a brief delay to ensure accurate information is available.
Mayor John Lesh and finance staff described the administration’s options and the timing constraints tied to state deadlines: to meet an Oct. 1 filing deadline for implementing a tax by Jan. 1, the council would need to act by early September. Staff said a repeal would be possible later if the council chooses, but recommended not embedding a rescission clause in the ordinance.
Opponents and speakers in public comment called the grocery tax regressive. Public commenter Rick Lawrence said the grocery tax would hurt lower- and middle-income families and disputed assertions about nearby cities’ actions. Supporters of delay said the city faces an approximate $4.5 million gap in the budget and asked staff to outline alternatives (sales- or hotel-tax adjustments, budget decrements) and provide clearer revenue-impact analysis.
The council’s motion to hold the ordinance to Aug. 26 — offered by Alderman Buggs and seconded by Alderman Smith after amendment to set the date certain — carried on a unanimous roll call. The underlying ordinance remains on the council’s unfinished-business calendar for that date.
