Author: Jeff Brown
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Aurora must catch up on sales-tax revenue
Aurora’s long-term fiscal health depends on a basic reality: population growth alone does not pay for city services. Retail and dining activity does. Cities fund police, fire, roads, parks and public facilities largely through sales tax. When retail activity does not keep pace with population growth, cities face ongoing pressure—more people to serve and streets…
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GUEST OPINION: Let Aurora quit SCFD — and form its own
The Department of Justice’s civil rights investigation of the Ferguson Police Department faulted city leaders for a desperate revenue strategy that relied on ticketing and fines. No one should be shocked when investigators conclude that Aurora’s revenue issue contributed to problems within its Police Department. Aurora didn’t employ the same strategy as Ferguson but years…