On November 5, 2024, Jefferson County (JeffCo) voters passed ballot measure 1A, allowing JeffCo government to retain all revenue (fees and taxes) collected above the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) limit beginning in 2024. Per the ballot question these retained funds will be spent on public safety and transportation, and will have a tremendously positive impact on our community for decades to come. The passage of 1A also offers the opportunity for the County to pursue state and local grants for projects and services within JeffCo. County staff will need to work diligently to identify strategies that efficiently and effectively address community priorities within the limits of the newly available revenue. I am thankful to be contemplating how the County can improve service in the areas of transportation and public safety rather than identifying further cuts in vital areas.
Since the outcome of 1A was uncertain during most of the county’s 2025 budget development cycle, County staff planned for a wide range of revenue scenarios. 2024 began with an exercise to identify potential reductions to services in case the County could not find a solution to the significant funding gap. Because ballot measure 1A passed, many of those reductions were not be needed. However, this work helped to pinpoint numerous efficiencies and cost reduction strategies that was incorporated into the 2025 budget by the County Commissioners.
The JeffCo Treasurer’s Office is a source of revenue for the County by collecting fees on property tax distributions (paid by special districts) and earning interest on unspent funds. As you know, property taxes fund critical services from Special Districts such as our JeffCo school district, fire departments, public works, water, sewer, city services, public safety, etc. For every dollar of property tax collected, 27 cents goes to Jefferson County government for services and projects. The other 73 cents funds the services and projects of JeffCo’s special districts (see graphic below).
Another duty of the County Treasurer is to invest County funds after County expenses. During 2024 a record amount of interest was earned on Treasurer investments – $29,238,560.83! Interest revenue is included in the General Fund and is used to support County projects and services by the County Commissioners. I am very proud of this accomplishment and I credit my staff for awesome customer service every day.
If you have any questions about your property taxes or this article, please feel free to call me at 303-271-8330.
