It has been said that the citizens of Centennial deserve the city to become a Home Rule city. I and many others, based on the facts, strongly believe we don't "deserve this to happen to us" and here is why:
Proponents say that the state unfairly delays the receipt of taxes due the city. Reality is the change to home rule will have no effect on this issue. The issue can only be solved by changing the zip codes involved, thus simplifying where the tax revenue goes.
Proponents say the state has performed only 4 audits to rectify this issue. Reality is the state has performed 88 such audits, for free, and has delivered $350,000 due to the city.
Proponents say the city will have more control over the taxing and auditing process. Yet they fail to say the state currently does this for free and the city would have to create an entire tax division with expensive staffing and offices to do this on our own. Such a deal!
Proponents say there will be tighter rules regarding eminent domain, but fail to mention they can make land use decisions without notifying neighbors. They can skip public reviews of proposed land uses that negatively affect property values for home owners under the guise of economic development.
Proponents are proud to have hired a company to oversee city services including road repairs and snow removal. But fail to mention this company will subcontract for all of these services, just like the city does already. They just added another, expensive layer to the process.
The fact is we can look at the success of our city leadership since the city's inception to get a good sense for how they will manage additional power granted to them by home rule. Ask yourself, has the Centennial leadership worked to benefit the citizens?
Have we received anything more or better than when we were in unincorporated Arapahoe County? The answer thus far is a resounding no. We pay an extra layer of taxes for no more service than we had before.
Do we want to cede more power and control to a city that has yet to meaningfully deliver on
ANY of their promises? Are we ready to see our fees increased on everything we use (modeled after both Denver and Aurora)? Are we ready to turn over decision making -- cede our voice -- to an omnipotent city counsel? They will make the decisions on everything but tax increases, which are still controlled by TABOR. Fees are not controlled by TABOR.
You have to ask; do we want or need to increase the size and scope of this city's government? Are we here to make their lives better with nice city jobs and the perks that go along with them? Or is the true function of the any level of government to serve the citizens?
The proponents of this next step have only their interests, not ours, in mind. The home rule debate has been controlled by the individuals who stand to benefit most from the change. Our elected city officials and their staffs have the most to gain by this change - including gaining a lot more power.
A lot of accusations, half truths and factual misrepresentations have been thrown around during this debate. The most unfortunate aspect of this debate is how ugly it has become for those of us who are willing to risk standing up against it. Anyone who has questioned or not supported the home rule initiative has been painted as a demon or an idiot. And this is being done by elected officials and those who participated in crafting the charter. This is very unfortunate.
There are important concerns about becoming a home rule city, and an informed electorate should be able to talk about those issues without worry of threats and heavy handed tactics from the proponents.
No, Centennial Citizens don't deserve this to be done to them. Vote no on Home Rule!
Jeff Smith
Centennial Resident