Aurora new sales tax and revenue bonds for community facilities
Aurora · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
SHALL CITY OF AURORA TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $12,640,000 AND AS MAY BE GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY THE IMPOSITION OF A NEW 0.129% SALES AND USE TAX (THAT EQUALS 12.9 CENTS ON EVERY ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR PURCHASE) FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2027, AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2057, TO PROVIDE FOR THE OPERATION OF AND REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO COMMUNITY FACILITIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION LIBRARIES, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTERS; AND SHALL CITY OF AURORA DEBT BE INCREASED BY AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $105,000,000 WITH A MAXIMUM REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $204,870,000 TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES STATED ABOVE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PARK RENOVATIONS AND NEW PARK CONSTRUCTION; RECREATION CENTER IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW RECREATION CENTER CONSTRUCTION; LIBRARY BRANCH IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION; SUCH DEBT TO CONSIST OF REVENUE BONDS WHICH SHALL BEAR INTEREST, MATURE, BE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, WITH OR WITHOUT PREMIUM, AND BE ISSUED, DATED AND SOLD (AT, ABOVE OR BELOW PAR) IN SUCH MANNER AND CONTAINING SUCH OTHER TERMS, NOT INCONSISTENT HEREWITH, AS THE CITY COUNCIL MAY DETERMINE; SHALL THE CITY OF AURORA BE AUTHORIZED TO PAY SUCH BONDS FROM, AND TO SECURE SUCH PAYMENT BY A PLEDGE OF, THE NEW 0.129% SALES AND USE TAX AND OTHER LEGALLY AVAILABLE FUNDS; AND SHALL THE CITY OF AURORA BE ENTITLED TO COLLECT, RETAIN, AND SPEND THE FULL REVENUES FROM SUCH TAX INCREASE AND THE PROCEEDS OF ANY INVESTMENT THEREOF NOTWITHSTANDING ANY LIMITATION IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION, STATE LAW OR THE CITY HOME RULE CHARTER?
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
Aurora Ballot Issue 3A would add a new 0.129% sales and use tax from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2057. The tax would raise up to $12,640,000 and pay to operate, repair, and improve community facilities, including libraries and recreation and community centers. The city could also borrow up to $105,000,000 through revenue bonds, repaid from the new tax and other legally available funds, with a maximum repayment cost of up to $204,870,000. A YES vote approves the new tax and the borrowing. A NO vote means the city does not add this tax or take on this debt.
Fiscal impact
The official fiscal statement reports city spending of $471,464,049 in 2022 and an estimated $618,089,416 in 2026, a 31.1% change over five years. The first full fiscal year increase is up to $12,640,000. Estimated spending without the increase is $660,000,000. The proposed bonded debt is $105,000,000, with a maximum annual repayment cost of $12,640,000 and a total repayment cost of $204,870,000.
Official explanation
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
Fiscal Information
Year / Fiscal Year Spending 2022 (Actual) $ 471,464,049 2023 (Actual) $ 520,496,310 2024 (Actual) $ 559,210,826 2025 (Actual $ 586,539,459 2026 (Estimated) $ 618,089,416
Overall percentage change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2022 to 2026: 31.1%
Overall dollar change in fiscal year spending over the five-year period from 2022 through 2026: $ 146,625,367
Proposed City Tax Increase Estimated first full fiscal year maximum dollar amount of increase $ 12,640,000 Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the increase $ 660,000,000
Proposed Bonded Debt Proposed Principal Amount $ 105,000,000 Maximum Annual Repayment Cost $ 12,640,000 Total Repayment Cost $ 204,870,000
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
Supporters state that Aurora needs to preserve, renovate, and expand its public facilities and amenities to better serve residents and to keep pace with population growth. They cite needs for improved and updated libraries, parks and recreation facilities, including additional facilities for youth and older adults. Supporters say the measure would address needed capital projects in all six council wards that were identified through community input. They also say the measure will improve the safety, usability, and accessibility of existing facilities, and provide new recreational and library resources in areas that currently lack them.
Argument against
Opponents state that the proposed sales tax increase would add to residents’ financial burdens amid rising costs for housing, food, fuel, utilities, and property taxes. Some commenters argue that infrastructure costs should be shared more by developers and facility users through higher development or user fees. Others favor private investment, public- private partnerships, and economic growth to expand Aurora’s tax base rather than relying on tax increases.
Additional concerns include city spending priorities, transparency and accountability, the public-engagement process, library and facility investments, infrastructure planning, and whether the proposed projects represent the city’s highest priorities.
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.