The Aurora City Council voted Nov. 3 to continue dedicating 1% of the city's marijuana retail sales tax to community service agencies and programs that support youth- and gun-violence intervention, including the Aurora SAVE program.

Jessica Prosser, director of Housing and Community Services, told the council the ordinance continues the 1% dedication and continues funding for Aurora SAVE, described as a gun-violence-intervention model for the city. “This ordinance continues the 1% marijuana sales tax dedicated to youth violence, funding our Aurora Save program, focused on gun violence intervention, model for the City Of Aurora,” Prosser said during the staff presentation.

Council members asked questions and expressed differing views about the tax source and program goals. Council member Lawson urged support and noted the program’s role in intervention; Council member Garger said she supported the program but opposed dedicating a specific tax on a single industry and suggested the general fund as an alternative: “I don't support attacks on 1 specific type of business. It's not about the program,” Garger said. Council members also sought clarification about program design. Director Prosser said the city pivoted the program toward gun-violence intervention in recent years and that identification of youth for services includes detective and analyst input, incident association and social-network analysis to flag those at risk of victimization or involvement.

Council member Lawson moved to approve item 12a; the motion was seconded. The council adopted the ordinance with eight yes votes and one no vote from Council member Gardner.

Provenance: staff introduction begins at 00:19:20 and the adoption vote is recorded at 00:26:18 in the transcript.

Ending: Staff said the ordinance includes a five-year term but retains a council clause allowing future review; the council directed staff to continue monitoring program measurements and return with information if the council seeks changes.