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(These revenues are now exempted from the TABOR calculation.) <br />The City of Louisville's 2001 budget reflects compliance with the provisions of the TABOR <br />Amendment, with the exception of the property tax revenue. Under the TABOR Amendment, all <br />taxes (except as previously noted), licenses and permits, charges for services, fines and forfeitures, <br />and miscellaneous revenue (except developer contributions and payments in lieu of land dedications) <br />are part of the limitation calculation. Transfers into the fund and debt service (except the open space <br />bond) are deducted. The remainder may increase by the combination of the local growth rate <br />(3.15%) and the rate of inflation in the Denver/Boulder Area (3.1%). The 2001 budget, after the <br />TABOR exemptions, reflects a 19.95% decrease below the estimated 2000 level. <br />The City's property tax mill levy rate for 2001 has been set as a temporary levy of 4.767 mills, which <br />has increased from the 4.643 level of 2000. TABOR Amendment provisions require that annual <br />property tax revenue be restricted by the same growth rate applicable to the City's general spending <br />of 6.25%. For 2001, the mill levy rate meets the requirements of the 5.5% statutory revenue limit, <br />but not TABOR. The TABOR requirements would restrict the mill levy to 4.532, or $74,389 less <br />revenue than the statutory limitation. The City Council has approved the higher mill levy with the <br />understanding that in order to retain this additional revenue an approval of the voters is required in <br />a November, 2001 ballot issue. This additional revenue has not been appropriated. <br />The TABOR Amendment also requires local government to reserve three percent of total <br />expenditures for emergencies in 1995 and thereafter. (The definition of an "emergency," under <br />TABOR is restricted to natural events, but excludes "economic conditions, revenue shortfalls, or <br />district salary or fringe benefit increase.") Accordingly, the City has reviewed existing reserves and <br />determined that a minimum of 3% will exist for 2001 to comply with the provisions of the TABOR <br />Amendment. <br />The TABOR Amendment excludes activities or funds considered to be "enterprises." The <br />classification of an "enterprise" under the TABOR Amendment is based on three criteria: (1) The <br />entity be considered a government owned business; (2) the entity be authorized to issue its own <br />revenue bonds; (3) the entity receive under 10% of its annual revenue in grants from all Colorado <br />and local governments combined. The 2001 TABOR calculations represent the exclusion of the <br />City's water utility fund and sewer utility fund, as approved by Ordinance No. 1167 and 1168, Series <br />1994, and the golf course fund, as approved by Ordinance No. 1280, Series 1998, declaring these <br />funds as "enterprises" under the TABOR Amendment definition. <br />Summary <br />The 2001 budget is funded by a stable revenue stream, and addresses quality of life issues as well <br />as fiscal responsibility. The Council has focused on projects such as street improvements, water <br />rights, beautification, trails, and open space, that will benefit the citizens of Louisville well into the <br />future. <br />vi <br />