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1. I read the town is deciding how to use pandemic money from the Fed. Would they consider using this to build affordable housing for our workforce? It’s getting very expensive for them to live here.

At the April 5, 2022 Council Meeting, Town Council directed staff to use the Town's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds toward road projects as recommended. To date, an affordable housing project has not been part of internal Town discussions on the topic. Historically, the Town has supported affordable housing within the community as a participant in the Douglas County Housing Partnership and not through direct projects.

2. How much in annual revenue does the Town’s sales tax on food produce?

Grocery tax revenue came in at about $9.38 million in 2021, making up 14% of the $66 million in total sales tax revenue for the year. Grocery tax only applies to food purchased at the store and then eaten at home. Other items such as paper goods, cleaning supplies, toiletries and even foods that can be immediately consumed, such as prepared sandwiches, are taxed separately from groceries.

3. Can grocery tax revenue be used to help fund renewable water?

No, renewable water is funded through growth-related revenue from new development in Castle Rock, as well as from fees on monthly water bills. The Town's water funds are classified as enterprise funds, meaning they legally can receive only minimal tax support.

4. If the grocery tax was eliminated, would the Town have less resources for transportation needs?

Yes. Part of the Town's sales tax revenue is allocated to the Transportation Fund. That fund provides for maintenance of streets - including snow removal - as well as for capital projects. Elimination of the grocery tax would impact the resources available annually for street maintenance and construction.

5. How much reserve funds does the Town have?

Using preliminary 2021 year-end numbers, the Town estimates it will end 2020 with $38.4 million available in the General Fund. Of this total, approximately $26.3 million is unobligated or not already designated for a particular use. The Town believes this reserve amount reflects sound cash management in the event of an economic downturn, given the Town’s annual General Fund expenditures exceed $55 million.

6. What services are funded by local taxes?

Your tax money supports the Town's Fire and Rescue, Police, streets, Parks, Open Space, Recreation Center and administration services.

View the annual budget.

7. Is the Town responsible for all public services within Town boundaries?

No. The Town is a full-service municipality, offering police, fire and rescue, parks and recreation, water, building/planning/zoning, and roads/public works services to the community. However, other public entities work within Castle Rock, too. For example, Douglas County provides social, correctional and other services; Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) maintains traffic signals on and near state highways; and the Douglas County School District is responsible for oversight of local schools. There's even a separate cemetery district. Waste removal, meanwhile, generally is handled privately, or by a homeowners' association.

8. Does the Town of Castle Rock help fund local schools?

No. Local schools - including teacher salaries and building maintenance costs - are funded through the Douglas County School District. More information about funding for Douglas County schools can be found at the Douglas County School District website.

9. Can you explain why Founders Village is a special Tax district and how money from this tax district is used? Thanks.

Several neighborhoods in Castle Rock have Metropolitan Districts, "Metro Districts" for short. These Metro Districts are separate governmental entities and are usually created by the developer/property owner at the time of initial development of the neighborhood or subdivision to allow for a special, localized mill levy to be imposed for certain development-related improvements (local streets, waterlines, landscaping, neighborhood amenities, etc.). These mill levies continue to support debt payments for initial improvement costs, some maintenance and new enhancements and other items set out in the approved service plans for the Metro Districts.

Metro Districts - and their mill levies - vary widely throughout Castle Rock as shown in this Town-prepared report (PDF).

Since the Metro Districts are separate entities, specific budget questions should be directed to your Metro District.

10. What is the additional fee on purchases at the Promenade, and to whom does that go?

Businesses selling tangible personal property in the Promenade area have an additional Public Improvement Fee (PIF) that is assessed and remitted to the metropolitan district in that area. The metro district uses that revenue to repay debt that it issued to construct the infrastructure to develop the area.

11. I made a purchase at a Castle Rock grocery store and noted there were 3 sales tax items shown: 4%, 3.9% & 2.9%. I thought Castle Rock’s sales tax was 7.9% total. What is the breakdown for this 10.8%?

Castle Rock's combined sales tax rate is 7.9%, which includes State (2.9%), County (1%) and Town (4%). The receipt also indicates taxes charged by other jurisdictions, which, in some cases, tax items at a different rate than the Town. For example, the Town taxes food for home consumption (gallon of milk, loaf of bread, etc.), but the State of Colorado and Douglas County do not. Therefore, for all food for home consumption, the only tax that should be applied is at the 4% rate. However, there are many things everyone taxes, such as laundry detergent, which would have a tax rate of 7.9%. The different rates are broken down by the grocery store's system, which charges the correct tax on each item, according to the jurisdiction's tax base. Therefore, it would be incorrect to add up all the percentages to 10.8%. Rather, the receipt shows a breakdown of various jurisdiction's taxes.

12. Where can I find out about the Town’s budget?

A balanced budget is a core part of the Town's annual planning efforts. In fact, state law requires local governments to balance their budgets. We wouldn't have it any other way.

View the annual budget.