Wheat Ridge council directs staff to prepare 1% sales tax ballot language, citing phased COP approach

By consensus the Wheat Ridge City Council on Aug. 3 directed staff to draft ordinance language to place a 1.0% dedicated sales and use tax on the ballot and to return the ordinance for first reading Aug. 10. The move follows staff and financial‑advisor presentations that showed a phased financing strategy could increase near‑term capital capacity.

Andrew from Piper Sandler, the city’s financial advisor, presented scenarios showing that a 1.0% sales tax using certificates of participation (COPs) at current market rates would generate roughly $236 million in capital funding over a multi‑phase program (issuances in 2027, 2031 and 2036) while capturing excess revenue in early years for pay‑as‑you‑go maintenance. "The largest being the COPs at a 1% sales and use tax that generates 236,000,000 of capital funding over the next 10 years based on today's interest rates," Andrew said, emphasizing the difference in capacity between COPs and voter‑authorized sales tax revenue bonds.

Patrick Goff framed the council’s priority list of time‑sensitive projects at about $127 million — projects staff recommended funding early in a phased approach, including a new civic center, the outdoor pool and school property purchases — while ongoing needs such as proactive street maintenance and the bike/ped network were discussed as candidates for excess revenue pay‑as‑you‑go funding. Council debate focused on whether to ask voters for 0.85% or a full 1.0%; several councilors favored 1.0% for capacity reasons and to maximize early COP issuance, while others cited campaign context and neighboring ballot measures when advocating a lower ask.

At the meeting’s conclusion, council members indicated a consensus to move forward with ballot language for a 1.0% dedicated sales and use tax and to return an ordinance for first reading on Aug. 10, asking staff and consultants to finalize draft questions and financing details.