DENVER — Denver Mayor Michael Hancock was confident in the push he made for Measure 2A and Proposals 3A and B. But he told FOX31 that what happened on election night exceeded his expectations.
“We knew there was a great deal of support out there for Initiative 2A out there,” Hancock said. “But 73 percent? We didn’t have that number in mind. I’m honored and grateful to the people of Denver.”
That was the percent of the vote that the new legislation received.
Measure 2A allows the city to be released from provisions of the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) that would bring $68 million a year to the city.
Proposal 3A is a $49 million mill levy and 3B is a $466 million bond issue for DPS.
Homeowners in Denver will pay approximately $110 a year more per $100,000 of assessed value on their homes to pay for the new measures.
So what are they paying for?
According to Hancock, the new funds will get Denver libraries back to normal operation hours, go towards the hiring of 100 police officers and firefighters, help the city pave 300 new miles of roadways, attract more new businesses to Denver and aid the city in shoring up its deficit.
And how will Denver residents know for sure that this money is being spent appropriately? Hancock had an answer for that, as well.
“The chief financial officer will post on our website how we use these funds on a very regular basis,” Hancock said. “My administration, the city council and chief financial officer’s office are very committed to doing exactly what we said we were going to do with this money.”