STEVE BOAND
At-Large Candidate
Home Rule Charter Com
Steven Arthur Boand
on your ballot
Special election on June 24, 2025
303-552-7613 or email Steve at: steve4DC@gmail.com
Steve Boand - At Large CANDIDATE
Serving Douglas County and its Communities
Steve served two terms as a Douglas County Commissioner from 2005 through 2012. He also served two terms as a member of the Castle Rock Town Council. He was voted in by the Council to serve as Mayor of the Town.
Steve also served 17 years on the Board of Conservation Supervisors of the Douglas County Conservation District. He has a demonstrated commitment to Douglas Country families, communities, sound resource management, and the preservation of the County's open space.
Steve Boand has been part of the Douglas County Community for more than thirty years. He has been engaged and worked hard to make the County, its towns and communities a great place for families to live and business to thrive.
My Position on Home Rule
I had opportunity to examine County Home Rule several times when I served as County Commissioner. While I have remained open to all information during the past month. I now recommend that you/we
VOTE NO ON HOME RULE.
The County's proposed Home Rule process does not allow time for needed education and consideration of the myriad of important issues in Home Rule deliberations.
The Commissioner's proposed 62-day schedule will not permit the Charter Commission to do a good job.
If a Home Rule Charter moves forward,
We need to take the time required to
GET IT RIGHT
Why NO
Only two Colorado counties have gone to Home Rule governance in the past 50 years. Why? Because home rule powers are not significantly stronger than statutory county powers.
If a Home Rule Charter moves forward
Let's take the time needed to GET IT RIGHT
KEY ISSUES
Proponents of Home Rule list four possible benefits. The reality is, County Home Rule powers do not significantly expand Douglas County's ability to provide services.
- Local Control? A Home Rule charter has the potential to increase the number of terms an elected official may serve, increase elected official salaries, and define who is elected v. appointed.
- Safer Communities? Increased law enforcement might make our communities safer, but at the cost of higher taxes. Our community policing approach is strong and cost-effective. It should not be tampered without direction from law enforcement officials.
- Lower Taxes can be achieved if the County Commissioners spend less and reduce taxes. This is a matter of budgeting within our means. Nearly everyone supports property tax reduction. Tax reductions will be difficult to achieve via Home Rule. They are best achieved by managing County spending.
- State Overreach? Home Rule, used as a shield from state overreach, may have some limited "success" via litigation. A home rule charter for Douglas County cannot overrule "Matters of State Interest" and provisions of the Safety Clause contained in nearly all Colorado legislation.
Once again, the proposed 62-day schedule for developing a Home Rule Charter will not give the Charter Commission the time they need to do a good job for our future.
If a Home Rule Charter moves forward
Let's take the time to GET IT RIGHT
HOME RULE under currents
My BIG Concerns:
A Home Rule Charter can define nearly every aspect of Local Control. My biggest concerns are changes to how TAXES and DEBT are approved. There is also an undercurrent that two important vote-approved funding directives may be modified to use the those funds for pet projects in a manner not consistent with voter approvals.
Debt and Tax Increase Protections
If a Home Rule Charter is presented to voters in November 2025, it must contain two key protections from our State Constitution. Elected officials must NOT be able to impose debt or increase taxes without a Vote of the People. I also support restoring the third leg of TABOR, which is a revenue cap based upon our rate of growth and inflation.
Protect Voter-Directed Revenues & Spending
In 2022, Douglas County voters approved a 15-year extension of the Parks and Open Space Sales Tax. More than 88% of the voters supported this temporary extension of the sales tax using these funds as specified in the election question. The restrictions on the use and transfer of these funds are real. There are those who are attempting an end-run around the will of the voters to use these parks and open space funds for non-approved purposes.
The voters also approved a sales tax supporting our Justice Center. This funding needs to be used as promised.
Douglas County needs to abide by Voter Directives and NOT DIVERT these assets via charges in a home rule charter,to other uses.
Water Supplies
Douglas County water providers have made great strides in transitioning from non-renewable to sustainable water supplies. Parker Water & Sanitation District, Highlands Ranch Water, and Castle Rock Water each have supply plans that move them toward sustainable water supply systems. These three providers service 70% of County households. The County needs to follow their lead by requiring sustainable water supply plans that are based upon a strong economic foundation. A Home Rule Charter should not meddle with the successes and future of County water providers.
Steve & Family
Douglas County - Community At its BEST
Who Are these Girls (Mother & Daughter)
Protect Our Open Space & Voter Directed Funding.
We live a sense of community across the County: Highlands Ranch, Roxborough, Parker, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Louviers, Sedalia, Larkspur, Perry Park, Franktown ,and Rural Douglas County define US.
Every Community must be honored if a Home Rule process moves forward,
Protect Our Open Space & Voter Directed Funding.
Who Are these Girls (Mother & Daughter)
Protect Our Open Space & Voter Directed Funding.
Douglas County has strong open space and parks programs. We need to protect open space and parks to maintain our quality of life..
Who Are these Girls (Mother & Daughter)
Who Are these Girls (Mother & Daughter)
Who Are these Girls (Mother & Daughter)
Yep, I was a BLM wild burro trainer in my younger years. Two of my favorites posed for me . It took me more than a few months to get them to be my friends.