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I_Gallagher_2018A 08/17/2018 09:20:00 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  ALTERNATIVES TO THE GALLAGHER AMENDMENT INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE
Date 08/17/2018
Attendance
Bridges *
Court X
Rankin X
Tate X
Smallwood X
Esgar X
Time 09:20:00 AM to 12:09:49 PM
Place Off Site
This Meeting was called to order by Esgar
This Report was prepared by Jeanette Chapman
Hearing Items Action Taken
Call to Order Committee Discussion Only
Committee Discussion on Gallagher Alternatives Committee Discussion Only
Public Comment Committee Discussion Only

Call to Order - Committee Discussion Only


09:21:00 AM  

Representative Esgar called the meeting to order and made opening comments about the purpose of the committee meeting and the day's agenda.



Committee Discussion on Gallagher Alternatives - Committee Discussion Only


09:23:46 AM  
Ed DeCecco, Office of Legislative Legal
Services, distributed two memos from Legislative Council Staff that detail
policy options for the committee to potentially address issues raised concerning
the Gallagher Amendment (Attachments A and B).  He made introductory
comments about the requirements to refer a legislative or constitutional
change to Colorado voters.  He responded to questions from the committee
including in which election year a referred measure could be considered.

09:35:08 AM  

Mr. DeCecco discussed the first proposal: to freeze the residential assessment rate.  He responded to questions from the committee. The committee discussed the merits of this option.

09:43:09 AM  

Chris Creighton, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions from the committee regarding changes to the residential assessment rate.

09:46:54 AM  

Joann Groff, Property Tax Administrator, State of Colorado, responded to questions from the committee.

09:51:37 AM  

Mr. DeCecco responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion continued.

10:05:01 AM  

Mr. DeCecco discussed the second proposal: reduce the residential and non-residential assessment rate and create a new class of property for homes in which the owner resides less than 200 days per year.  He responded to questions from the committee. Discussion ensued.

10:12:47 AM  

Mr. Creighton responded to comments from the committee.

10:19:19 AM  

Mr. DeCecco discussed the third proposal: to reclassify short term rentals such as AirBnB or Vacation Rentals By Owner as non-residential properties.

10:22:30 AM  

Ms. Groff responded to questions from the committee.

10:25:43 AM  

Mr. Creighton explained Map B in Attachment B that shows a potential assessed value increase across counties under the proposal.

10:28:59 AM  

Ms. Groff responded to questions from the committee. Discussion ensued.

10:34:15 AM  

Mr. DeCecco responded to questions from the committee.

10:44:36 AM  

Ms. Groff responded to questions from the committee. Discussion continued.

10:52:03 AM  

Mr. DeCecco discussed the fourth proposal: to give local governments the authority to raise mill levies.  He responded to questions from the committee.

11:00:32 AM  

Mr. DeCecco discussed the fifth proposal: to implement a four year assessment period.

11:03:02 AM  

Keith Erffmeyer, Denver Assessor, responded to questions from the committee regarding the logistics of a four year assessment period.

11:05:44 AM  

Ms. Groff responded to questions from the committee.  Committee discussion ensued.

11:12:25 AM  

Mr. Creighton explained Appendix C in Attachment B.  The appendix shows an estimated impact of a four-year assessment period.  Discussion continued.

11:17:51 AM  

Mr. DeCecco discussed the sixth proposal: to repeal the Gallagher amendment.  He responded to questions from the committee.  Committee discussion ensued.

11:33:03 AM  

Mr. DeCecco continued to respond to questions from the committee.  Discussion continued.

11:46:33 AM  

Mr. DeCecco clarified the difference between repealing the Gallagher Amendment and replacing the assessment rate in the state constitution with statutory assessment rate limits.

11:49:58 AM  

Mr. DeCecco explained the seventh proposal: to require a Constitutional amendment to allow regional calculations and adjustments to the residential assessment rate.  Committee discussion ensued.  Mr. DeCecco responded to questions from the committee.

11:51:06 AM  

Ms. Groff discussed Map D in Attachment B.  The map shows one possible regional organization of assessment rates.

11:56:52 AM  

The committee discussed the possibility of any other recommendations for possible legislative changes.  The members asked questions about the regional assessment rate proposal.

12:00:15 PM  

Mr. Creighton explained the process for committee bill requests for the meeting on Tuesday, August 21.



Public Comment - Committee Discussion Only


12:03:03 PM  

Jon Walker, Pueblo Library, welcomed the committee to the library and discussed the priorities of smaller communities that depend on property taxes for critical services.

12:05:24 PM  

David DelVecchio, Canon City Fire District, discussed the value of localized response to addressing the current limitations of the Gallagher Amendment versus a statewide approach.

12:09:42 PM  
Representative Esgar made closing comments
and adjourned the committee.


12:09:49 PM   Committee Adjourned






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