ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) — The city of Englewood is creating a new set of strict guidelines and requiring additional employee training after acknowledging that taxpayer money was used to purchase political yard signs supporting a parks and recreation bond on the ballot.
The city admits that $2,162 from the general fund was paid to create the signs. A spokesperson told FOX31 that council members launched an investigation within minutes of learning it happened.
Denver residents can put up political signs, but there are rules
One resident told FOX31 he was shocked to learn of the expenditure.
“At taxpayer’s expense, political signs? No, I disagree,” he said.
The city issued the following statement to FOX31:
“The City of Englewood takes compliance with state law and campaign ethics very seriously. Recent concerns have been raised regarding the use of city resources for signs related to a ballot measure.
With the goal of transparency and accountability, the city launched an investigation within minutes of learning about the expenditure on signs last week. The investigation report was presented to city council (presentation begins at 3:34:46) and the public during Monday night’s council meeting and concluded that the signs were created, paid for and distributed prior to city council approval of the ballot language. As such, the expenditure did not violate the Fair Campaign Practices Act. However, the city acknowledges that the signs were not an appropriate use of taxpayer funds and the expenditure has the propensity to erode trust in the city.