Critics of Centennial's Measure 2A urge caution to voters before approving a sales tax increase – Denver7

Critics of Centennial’s Measure 2A urge caution to voters before approving a sales tax increase  Denver7

CENTENNIAL, Colo. – Centennial Issue 2A will appear on the ballot for residents living in Centennial.If passed by voters, it would raise the sales tax from 2.5% to 3.5%. It would be the first time the sales tax rate in the city has changed in more than two decades."We have a transportation master plan. It has over $100 million worth of projects on it," said Centennial Mayor Christine Sweetland in August when the measure was approved to appear on the ballot."Why can't the city just continue to not go in debt, save up for projects, then do the projects?" asked Denver7's South Metro Reporter Danielle Kreutter, back in August."Right, so, our revenues are just flattening," said Sweetland.

"Those big box stores that were here when Centennial was founded, you know, Best Buy, Macy's, Sears — they've gone away."In the past, the city would save up for expensive projects, like the bridge over Arapahoe Road. It took 10 years to save up to repair that bridge. The mayor said that strategy isn't working anymore."Our infrastructure is very old, and so we want to make sure that we don't have deferred maintenance," she said.Sweetland said without any changes, the city's transportation infrastructure costs may outpace the available funding by 2028.The city estimates 2A, if passed, would generate about $27 million a year