Aurora new sales tax and revenue bonds for public safety facilities
Aurora · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
SHALL CITY OF AURORA TAXES BE INCREASED UP TO $6,270,000 AND AS MAY BE GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY THE IMPOSITION OF A NEW 0.064% SALES AND USE TAX (THAT EQUALS 6.4 CENTS ON EVERY ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR PURCHASE) FOR A PERIOD BEGINNING ON JANUARY 1, 2027 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 31, 2057, TO PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE OPERATION, REPAIR, MAINTENANCE, AND IMPROVEMENTS TO POLICE, FIRE, AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES; AND SHALL CITY OF AURORA DEBT BE INCREASED BY AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $53,000,000 WITH A MAXIMUM REPAYMENT COST OF UP TO $101,600,000 TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSES STATED ABOVE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: FIRE STATION RENOVATIONS AND REMODELS; AURORA 911 AND POLICE FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS; 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 0.064% 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 3B would add a new 0.064% sales and use tax, which is 6.4 cents on every one hundred dollar purchase. The tax would run from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2057, and raise up to $6,270,000. It would pay to operate, repair, and improve police, fire, and other public safety facilities, including fire station renovations and Aurora 911 and police facility improvements. The city could also borrow up to $53,000,000 through revenue bonds, with a maximum repayment cost of up to $101,600,000. A YES vote approves the 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 fiscal year spending of $471,464,049 in 2022 and an estimated $618,089,416 in 2026, a 31.1% change over five years. The estimated first full fiscal year tax increase is up to $6,270,000, compared with estimated spending of $660,000,000 without the increase. Proposed bonded debt is $53,000,000, with a maximum annual repayment cost of $6,270,000 and a total repayment cost of $101,600,000.
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 $ 6,270,000 Estimated first full fiscal year spending without the increase $ 660,000,000
Proposed Bonded Debt Proposed Principal Amount $ 53,000,000 Maximum Annual Repayment Cost $ 6,270,000 Total Repayment Cost $ 101,600,000
Official ballot arguments
Filed for the official voter guide by each side, printed as submitted.
Argument in favor
Supporters emphasize the need to invest in updating aging public safety facilities and improving emergency response capabilities, including response times, to better serve residents. They note that the proposed projects were identified through extensive public engagement and reflect priorities expressed by the community. Supporters view these improvements as an important investment in Aurora’s public safety infrastructure to help maintain effective emergency response services and address the needs of a growing community.
Argument against
Opponents raised concerns regarding surveillance, funding oversight, and accountability, particularly for Aurora Police Department related expenditures, and called for greater transparency and restrictions on the use of funds. Some commenters argue that taxpayer dollars should instead support community-based programs addressing underlying causes of crime.
Other commenters cited current economic conditions and household financial pressures as reasons to avoid additional taxes and suggested strengthening the retail, dining, and entertainment sectors as an alternative approach to addressing funding needs. Some also expressed concern that residents should not bear costs they believe should have been supported through developer contributions, citing historically low capital expansion fees.
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.