Mill Levy Information

Investing in our Future - Together!

The City of Evans proposes a phased increase to its property tax mill levy, rising from 3.536 to 11.036 mills over three years beginning in 2026. This change is designed to stabilize the city’s revenue model, which currently relies heavily (59%) on volatile retail sales taxes, leaving only 5% of revenue sourced from property taxes. By broadening the base and restoring financial capacity, the city aims to close an anticipated budget deficit beginning in 2028 and secure the funds needed to maintain essential municipal services. This measured fiscal strategy emphasizes long-term sustainability and resilience.

The new mill levy revenue will prioritize public safety, park and recreation services, and infrastructure rehabilitation. Police staffing, training, and equipment upgrades will be possible under this plan, though the proposed revenue will not fund the new police station. Investments in parks and recreation will expand programming, improve amenities, and enhance connectivity. Meanwhile, deferred infrastructure maintenance – long a risk to Evans' economic development – will be addressed through targeted rehabilitation projects. These upgrades will supplement the city’s 1% street sales tax, which remains a vital funding source and will be up for renewal in 2026.

This initiative also corrects a decade-long funding imbalance created when the city transferred 10 mills to the Evans Fire Protection District in 2012. Since that transfer, Evans has forfeited over $30 million in revenue, yet still pays millions in service fees to the district. This dual financial obligation has limited the city's ability to fund core services while placing Evans at a disadvantage compared to peer communities. The proposed levy adjustment realigns the city’s tax structure with its service obligations and restores financial fairness.

For residential properties, the phased levy would mean a gradual increase from $88.99 to $277.73 per year by 2028 on a $372,000 home – an increase of about $5.24 per month. For a $1 million commercial property, the tax would increase from $954.72 to $2,979.72 annually. This tiered approach helps ease the burden on taxpayers while funding strategic improvements that benefit all residents and businesses. It also ensures that out-of-town shoppers contribute through sales tax, preserving fairness across the tax base.

With no mill levy increase requested in over three decades, the Evans City Council is taking a proactive step to meet modern challenges with a structured, community-backed plan. Public outreach will continue throughout 2025 to ensure transparency and voter engagement ahead of the November ballot. This investment is not just about maintaining current services – it’s about securing a vibrant, economically competitive future for Evans, aligning financial resources with the community’s evolving needs.

The Evans City Council seeks to establish our community as the Community of Choice in Northern Colorado. The mill levy campaign is a commitment to a better, more resilient and prosperous future that will secure the needed investment in the built environment and direct public tax dollars to targeted areas for improved economic development opportunities that will enhance quality of life and livability.

Through this project, we are Investing in our Future – Together!

For questions regarding the City's consideration of a mill levy adjustment, please reach out to us at mill_levy@evanscolorado.gov.