Westminster voters may have to decide on an increased sales tax rate in the city this November.

The City Council met with survey research firm Magellan Strategies Monday evening to discuss the potential ballot measure that would place a 0.35% sales tax increase throughout the city to help fund buildings for the fire department and repairs for the city’s streets.

The considered ballot measure would increase the existing city sales and use tax by 0.35% with 0.10% to expire on Jan. 1, 2051. The money would then be used to retain a minimum of 30 firefighters and emergency medical workers to reduce response time, new fire stations in central and north Westminster and new emergency equipment.

Around $2 million of the revenue would also be used to “improve and prioritize” neighborhood streets and city roadways, according to the meeting agenda.

According to firefighter August Rusche, a 10-year veteran and executive board member of the firefighters’ union, the extra revenue is necessary to keep up with Westminster’s rapid growth.

“My first year we ran just north of 9,000 calls. Last year (2023) we ran 17,000 calls, and we have not increased our number of stations or engines,” Rusche told The Denver Gazette’s news partner, 9NEWS, in 2024.

Magellan Strategies conducted a survey of 1,506 registered voters between June 24 and 30, according to a presentation given to the council. 

The survey found that 61% of residents would approve of the measure, with 30% saying “no.” 

Once people read through the entirety of the informational package, the number increased to 66% yes and 23% no.

Those who said “no” believe city taxes are already too high, said Ryan Winger, director of data analysis and campaign strategy at Magellan Strategies.

“They cite financial hardship,” he said. “Just this idea that the content of the ballot measure doesn’t matter if it’s a tax increase.”

Those who said no also mentioned bad project oversights. 

“We need an extremely thorough education plan, and I want to make sure we’re not doing everything the same as we did last year,” Councilmember Claire Carmelia said.

The city attempted a similar ballot in 2024, 3C, that proposed a 0.5% sales tax increase — equating to an additional 5 cents for every $10 spent, for the same improvements of the currently debated measure.

The measure failed by a 53%-to-47% margin.

“I can be convinced, if we’re full steam ahead, that we can make this happen,” Carmelia said.

Ballot language needs to reviewed and approved no later than August 25 to appear on this year’s ballot.

The Denver Gazette’s news partner, 9NEWS, contributed to this report.