Politics
High Park Referendum Guide Outlines 2027 Rollout for Local Funding Shifts
High Park residents will encounter the first changes from the November 2026 ballot measures in property tax notices mailed in early 2027.
How we reported this
The High Park City Council approved a referendum guide last month that sets precise dates for three ballot measures approved by voters in 2024. Measure A on parks maintenance, Measure B on transit route expansions and Measure C on library operating hours each carry separate start dates between January and July 2027. The guide, published on the city website on 3 July, lists notification deadlines and payment schedules that apply to every residential address in the 12 wards.
Implementation Schedule for Daily Services
Under the published timeline, Measure A funding for park irrigation upgrades begins 1 February 2027, when the parks department will issue the first round of contracts for High Park and Sunnyside locations. Measure B adds two new bus routes serving the western wards starting 15 March 2027, with fares collected through the existing transit card system. Measure C extends evening library hours at four branches from 1 July 2027, funded by a 0.25 percent increase in the local sales tax that appears on receipts beginning 1 January 2027.
City budget documents released in May 2026 project that the combined measures will generate $11.8 million in new revenue during the 2027 fiscal year. The same documents allocate $3.4 million of that amount to parks, $5.9 million to transit and the remainder to libraries. Residents who receive the annual property assessment notice in February 2027 will see the updated library levy line item for the first time.
Payment and Notification Deadlines
The referendum guide requires the finance department to mail updated tax bills by 10 January 2027 for all properties. Homeowners who pay through escrow accounts will see the adjustment reflected in their March mortgage statements. Businesses operating under Measure B contracts must submit route performance reports by 30 April 2027, after which the city will release the next quarterly funding tranche.
Local advocates note that the staggered dates allow departments to complete hiring and procurement steps before service changes reach residents. The legislation states that any delay beyond the listed dates must be reported to council within 14 days and posted on the city website. No further voter approval is required once the measures take effect.