Budget & Finances Q&A
Grocery Tax Information
In March 2024, a local group began circulating a petition to eliminate the sales tax on food purchased for home consumption (also known as the grocery tax) via a ballot initiative. The group ended the petition process and withdrew their affidavit as a citizen’s committee in April. Along with general budget information, this page provides information about the grocery tax, its impact on Town finances, and how its removal would significantly reduce the Town’s revenue for programs and services.
Budget Q&A
The Town of Parker’s annual budget is developed to ensure that all services to our citizens, businesses and visitors are maintained, while preserving the Town’s long-term financial health. The Town prepares an annual budget with the fiscal year beginning on Jan. 1 and ending on Dec. 31.
The Town Council approved the Town’s 2024 Annual Budget on Nov. 20, 2023. The approval followed an extensive public budget-building process that began at the staff level in the spring and included a budget retreat, study sessions and public hearings in the fall and winter. The $223 million budget ensures funding for continuation of services, higher operational costs and several public capital improvements.
This page provides a collection of informational resources about the budget, general Town finances, and invites residents to ask their related questions.
Please refer to the following links for information on the 2024 Town of Parker budget:
Grocery Tax Information
In March 2024, a local group began circulating a petition to eliminate the sales tax on food purchased for home consumption (also known as the grocery tax) via a ballot initiative. The group ended the petition process and withdrew their affidavit as a citizen’s committee in April. Along with general budget information, this page provides information about the grocery tax, its impact on Town finances, and how its removal would significantly reduce the Town’s revenue for programs and services.
Budget Q&A
The Town of Parker’s annual budget is developed to ensure that all services to our citizens, businesses and visitors are maintained, while preserving the Town’s long-term financial health. The Town prepares an annual budget with the fiscal year beginning on Jan. 1 and ending on Dec. 31.
The Town Council approved the Town’s 2024 Annual Budget on Nov. 20, 2023. The approval followed an extensive public budget-building process that began at the staff level in the spring and included a budget retreat, study sessions and public hearings in the fall and winter. The $223 million budget ensures funding for continuation of services, higher operational costs and several public capital improvements.
This page provides a collection of informational resources about the budget, general Town finances, and invites residents to ask their related questions.
Please refer to the following links for information on the 2024 Town of Parker budget:
Have a question? Ask it here!
Do you have a question about the Town of Parker's budget or finances? Please submit it here for staff response.
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Share The explanation of what happens if the grocery tax goes away. can you elaborate with concrete examples based on my questions Law Enforcement Services: Can you provide specific examples of how the reduction in funding might affect police personnel? Would there be layoffs, reduced patrols, or slower response times? How would the reduction in funding impact the maintenance of police facilities and vehicles? Are there any specific challenges or risks associated with reducing funding for the dispatch center and evidence storage? Town-Hosted Events and Community Support: How much of the funding for these events comes from the grocery tax? What would be the immediate consequences of reducing support for community events like Fall Fest and the Fourth of July Celebration? How might the reduction in funding affect community morale or engagement in these events? Maintenance and Operation of Roads: What are the primary functions supported by the current funding for road maintenance and operation? How would a reduction in funding impact snow plowing operations and road repairs? Are there any safety concerns associated with potentially scaling back traffic operations? Parks, Recreation, and Open Space: Can you describe the potential effects on the availability of recreational facilities and programming if funding is reduced? How might the community's access to parks and trails be affected? Would there be any long-term implications for public health and wellness? Support for Parker Arts Amenities: What types of events and programs are typically hosted at the PACE Center, Schoolhouse, and Ruth Chapel event venues? How might a reduction in funding impact the availability of these venues for community use? Are there any concerns about the potential loss of cultural or artistic opportunities for residents? Municipal Court and Legal Support: What services are provided by the municipal court, and how might they be affected by a reduction in funding? Would there be any backlog or delays in processing violations of the Town’s codes? Are there legal implications to consider if resources for prosecuting violations are diminished? Administrative Functions: Which specific administrative functions rely on funding from the grocery tax? How might a reduction in funding impact the efficiency or effectiveness of town management? Are there any essential services that could be at risk if administrative support is scaled back? Thank you on Facebook Share The explanation of what happens if the grocery tax goes away. can you elaborate with concrete examples based on my questions Law Enforcement Services: Can you provide specific examples of how the reduction in funding might affect police personnel? Would there be layoffs, reduced patrols, or slower response times? How would the reduction in funding impact the maintenance of police facilities and vehicles? Are there any specific challenges or risks associated with reducing funding for the dispatch center and evidence storage? Town-Hosted Events and Community Support: How much of the funding for these events comes from the grocery tax? What would be the immediate consequences of reducing support for community events like Fall Fest and the Fourth of July Celebration? How might the reduction in funding affect community morale or engagement in these events? Maintenance and Operation of Roads: What are the primary functions supported by the current funding for road maintenance and operation? How would a reduction in funding impact snow plowing operations and road repairs? Are there any safety concerns associated with potentially scaling back traffic operations? Parks, Recreation, and Open Space: Can you describe the potential effects on the availability of recreational facilities and programming if funding is reduced? How might the community's access to parks and trails be affected? Would there be any long-term implications for public health and wellness? Support for Parker Arts Amenities: What types of events and programs are typically hosted at the PACE Center, Schoolhouse, and Ruth Chapel event venues? How might a reduction in funding impact the availability of these venues for community use? Are there any concerns about the potential loss of cultural or artistic opportunities for residents? Municipal Court and Legal Support: What services are provided by the municipal court, and how might they be affected by a reduction in funding? Would there be any backlog or delays in processing violations of the Town’s codes? Are there legal implications to consider if resources for prosecuting violations are diminished? Administrative Functions: Which specific administrative functions rely on funding from the grocery tax? How might a reduction in funding impact the efficiency or effectiveness of town management? Are there any essential services that could be at risk if administrative support is scaled back? Thank you on Twitter Share The explanation of what happens if the grocery tax goes away. can you elaborate with concrete examples based on my questions Law Enforcement Services: Can you provide specific examples of how the reduction in funding might affect police personnel? Would there be layoffs, reduced patrols, or slower response times? How would the reduction in funding impact the maintenance of police facilities and vehicles? Are there any specific challenges or risks associated with reducing funding for the dispatch center and evidence storage? Town-Hosted Events and Community Support: How much of the funding for these events comes from the grocery tax? What would be the immediate consequences of reducing support for community events like Fall Fest and the Fourth of July Celebration? How might the reduction in funding affect community morale or engagement in these events? Maintenance and Operation of Roads: What are the primary functions supported by the current funding for road maintenance and operation? How would a reduction in funding impact snow plowing operations and road repairs? Are there any safety concerns associated with potentially scaling back traffic operations? Parks, Recreation, and Open Space: Can you describe the potential effects on the availability of recreational facilities and programming if funding is reduced? How might the community's access to parks and trails be affected? Would there be any long-term implications for public health and wellness? Support for Parker Arts Amenities: What types of events and programs are typically hosted at the PACE Center, Schoolhouse, and Ruth Chapel event venues? How might a reduction in funding impact the availability of these venues for community use? Are there any concerns about the potential loss of cultural or artistic opportunities for residents? Municipal Court and Legal Support: What services are provided by the municipal court, and how might they be affected by a reduction in funding? Would there be any backlog or delays in processing violations of the Town’s codes? Are there legal implications to consider if resources for prosecuting violations are diminished? Administrative Functions: Which specific administrative functions rely on funding from the grocery tax? How might a reduction in funding impact the efficiency or effectiveness of town management? Are there any essential services that could be at risk if administrative support is scaled back? Thank you on Linkedin Email The explanation of what happens if the grocery tax goes away. can you elaborate with concrete examples based on my questions Law Enforcement Services: Can you provide specific examples of how the reduction in funding might affect police personnel? Would there be layoffs, reduced patrols, or slower response times? How would the reduction in funding impact the maintenance of police facilities and vehicles? Are there any specific challenges or risks associated with reducing funding for the dispatch center and evidence storage? Town-Hosted Events and Community Support: How much of the funding for these events comes from the grocery tax? What would be the immediate consequences of reducing support for community events like Fall Fest and the Fourth of July Celebration? How might the reduction in funding affect community morale or engagement in these events? Maintenance and Operation of Roads: What are the primary functions supported by the current funding for road maintenance and operation? How would a reduction in funding impact snow plowing operations and road repairs? Are there any safety concerns associated with potentially scaling back traffic operations? Parks, Recreation, and Open Space: Can you describe the potential effects on the availability of recreational facilities and programming if funding is reduced? How might the community's access to parks and trails be affected? Would there be any long-term implications for public health and wellness? Support for Parker Arts Amenities: What types of events and programs are typically hosted at the PACE Center, Schoolhouse, and Ruth Chapel event venues? How might a reduction in funding impact the availability of these venues for community use? Are there any concerns about the potential loss of cultural or artistic opportunities for residents? Municipal Court and Legal Support: What services are provided by the municipal court, and how might they be affected by a reduction in funding? Would there be any backlog or delays in processing violations of the Town’s codes? Are there legal implications to consider if resources for prosecuting violations are diminished? Administrative Functions: Which specific administrative functions rely on funding from the grocery tax? How might a reduction in funding impact the efficiency or effectiveness of town management? Are there any essential services that could be at risk if administrative support is scaled back? Thank you link
The explanation of what happens if the grocery tax goes away. can you elaborate with concrete examples based on my questions Law Enforcement Services: Can you provide specific examples of how the reduction in funding might affect police personnel? Would there be layoffs, reduced patrols, or slower response times? How would the reduction in funding impact the maintenance of police facilities and vehicles? Are there any specific challenges or risks associated with reducing funding for the dispatch center and evidence storage? Town-Hosted Events and Community Support: How much of the funding for these events comes from the grocery tax? What would be the immediate consequences of reducing support for community events like Fall Fest and the Fourth of July Celebration? How might the reduction in funding affect community morale or engagement in these events? Maintenance and Operation of Roads: What are the primary functions supported by the current funding for road maintenance and operation? How would a reduction in funding impact snow plowing operations and road repairs? Are there any safety concerns associated with potentially scaling back traffic operations? Parks, Recreation, and Open Space: Can you describe the potential effects on the availability of recreational facilities and programming if funding is reduced? How might the community's access to parks and trails be affected? Would there be any long-term implications for public health and wellness? Support for Parker Arts Amenities: What types of events and programs are typically hosted at the PACE Center, Schoolhouse, and Ruth Chapel event venues? How might a reduction in funding impact the availability of these venues for community use? Are there any concerns about the potential loss of cultural or artistic opportunities for residents? Municipal Court and Legal Support: What services are provided by the municipal court, and how might they be affected by a reduction in funding? Would there be any backlog or delays in processing violations of the Town’s codes? Are there legal implications to consider if resources for prosecuting violations are diminished? Administrative Functions: Which specific administrative functions rely on funding from the grocery tax? How might a reduction in funding impact the efficiency or effectiveness of town management? Are there any essential services that could be at risk if administrative support is scaled back? Thank you
Jlaber asked about 1 month agoHello, Jlaber. Thank you for your interest in this issue. At this time, the Town does not have additional information to share regarding impacts other than what already has been included in our Frequently Asked Questions and the Resolution that was approved at the April 1 Town Council Meeting. More details about the impacts to Town services resulting from this potential cut in revenue will be determined during our regular budgeting process for 2025, which is expected to begin soon and continue over the next several months. Due to this pending initiative, the Town expects to produce two different draft budgets for 2025, one draft featuring no changes to the Town’s current funding levels and a second draft featuring the exclusion of the tax on food for home consumption. Once these draft budgets are prepared, they will be published for the community to access.
Andy Anderson
Communications Manager
Additional Resources
FAQs
- What would no longer be taxed by the Town if the initiative to remove sales tax from groceries passes?
- Why does the Town tax groceries?
- How much in sales tax is collected from groceries?
- What happens if the sales tax assessed on groceries goes away?
- What is the Town’s budget?
- What’s the process for the citizen initiative getting on the ballot and approved by voters?
- How does the Town pay for road and other construction projects?
- What are all the taxes I pay and how much are they?
- How is the sales tax collected used by the Town?
- What are other ways the Town generates monies or funds to pay for services?
- Why doesn’t the Town use the rest of the budget to cover the gap if the sales tax assessed on groceries is eliminated? Can the Town use money set aside for big projects to make up any shortfall?
- How do I know if the Town is using my tax dollars wisely?
- My property taxes increased in 2023. Why does the Town need more tax money after that?
- How does Parker compare to other communities in Colorado in the taxes it collects?
- Why do cities/towns have different tax rates?
- How is Parker different from other communities?
- How have other communities been impacted by budget shortfalls?
- What would the monthly/annual impact on households be if the grocery tax is removed?
- What is the financial impact to Town operations if the grocery tax is removed?
- Why did the 2024 budget change by $77 million?
- The Town keeps growing; why isn’t there enough money to cover operations?
- What is “public safety”?
- If the Town tried to replace the lost revenue from the grocery tax by increasing the mill levy, how much would that cost me each year?
- What is the SAP/TAP and how does that work?
- Does the Town really rely on the grocery sales tax to attract new grocery stores to Parker? How does that work? If the grocery tax went away, would that really prevent new grocery stores from coming to Parker?
- When will the 2025 budget be available?
- How much does the Town collect in sales tax from e-commerce?
- Will the Town take any action if the grocery tax is eliminated?