Release Date: Nov. 1, 2001
Contact: Rosann Doran
Phone: 303 438-6308

The Adams County Commissioners filed a lawsuit against Broomfield yesterday asking Adams County District Court to determine which county should retain property tax revenue to be collected in 2002.

The action of the County Commissioners is contrary to state statutes, the Colorado state constitution, and a recent Jefferson County District Court decision. All reaffirm that property tax is to be collected and spent in the current budget year. That is, property tax is not meant to reimburse for past services.

Adams County has already been paid for the services being provided to Broomfield residents during 2001 through property taxes it is collecting this year. Adams County will cease providing county services to Broomfield on November 15, 2001, as authorized by a state constitutional amendment passed in November of 1998. Beginning Nov. 15, all county services to Broomfield residents will be provided by Broomfield throughout the rest of 2001 and for every year thereafter.

Broomfield City Manager George Di Ciero believes the lawsuit is without merit. He will work with the City Attorney, as directed by the City Council, to ensure that Broomfield City and County will collect the county revenue to which Broomfield is entitled in order to provide county services for Broomfield residents. In fact, Di Ciero, noted, since Broomfield will be providing services after November 15, it is conceivable that Adams County should reimburse Broomfield for the six-week period of service delivery during 2001.

Regardless of the outcome of this action by the Adams County Commissioners or any threatened double taxation by Adams County, Broomfield assures that services to its citizens will not be interrupted and that the mill levy reductions contained in the adopted 2002 Budget will not be endangered. Broomfield will take all steps necessary to assure that no other county sends a tax bill to Broomfield residents, he said.

Broomfield Mayor Bill Berens said, "I hope that the Adams County Commissioners withdraw this lawsuit and move forward with a fair and cooperative attitude to provide a smooth transition for all of our citizens."