Property taxpayers in Douglas County will receive $37.8 million in tax relief in 2024, the result of a historic County mill levy reduction of 3.679 mills – the equivalent to 18.6% of the County mill levy.
This historic tax relief is one central outcome of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners’ budget process concluding with the adoption of the 2024 Budget at a public hearing on Tuesday, Jan. 9.
The 2024 Adopted Budget also includes:
- A historic investment of $7.1 million in public safety including:
- Additional public safety investments of 12 new deputies – including one deputy to support services for older adults
- Expansion of the wildfire helicopter suppression support from six months to eight months as well as six Emergency Services Operators – positions piloted in 2023
- Nine additional School Resource Officers (SROs)– three in high schools; and four in elementary schools in partnership with the Douglas County School District; and two in are in charter schools.
- A historic investment of $237.4 million in transportation improvements:
- $125.3 million for new transportation projects
- $112.1 million reappropriated capital funding for transportations projects occurring over multiple years
“Our fiscally conservative guiding principles, our Core Priorities, and listening to community input regarding spending priorities were foundational to our $671.8 million budget, including our decision to offer historic property tax relief this year,” said Commissioner George Teal, Board Chair. “Hard-working families can also count on us to do all that is within our power to impact property tax reform during this year’s Colorado General Assembly.”
“It’s imperative that we do everything possible to provide property tax relief to our citizens, while also continuing to prioritize and invest in public safety, and other priority services valued by those who live and work here,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon, Board Vice Chair. “Our 2024 Budget does just that while keeping the county debt free.”
“Throughout this historic increase in property assessments, we’ve advocated at the State level for change, and tried to help our citizens understand how we got here,” said Commissioner Lora Thomas. “As a priority outcome of our budget process, we are honoring our responsibility to reduce the tax burden for Douglas County’s portion of the tax bill.”