This week, the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) became the tenth Douglas County organization to endorse ballot measure 5A, a proposal to increase property taxes by one mill, or $7.96 per year on each $100,000 of home value. The increase would pay for new libraries in Parker, Lone Tree, and Castle Pines, plus improvements to existing libraries in Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch. It would also mean more materials and improved technology for all patrons in Douglas County. HRCA Board President, Jeff Wasden, cited several factors for the endorsement - including the value of acting on the offer of free land for the proposed libraries in Lone Tree and Parker -- as a key reason for HRCA's support. So far ten organizations have endorsed ballot measure 5A:
- Castle Pines North Metropolitan District
- Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce
- Castle Rock Economic Development Council
- City of Castle Pines North
- City of Lone Tree
- Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce
- Highlands Ranch Community Association
- Parker Economic Development Council
- Parker Downtown Development Council
- Town of Parker
For more information about the proposed mill levy and the library ballot issue, log on to
DouglasCountyLibraries.org where you'll find that information in the right margin.