The Westminster City Council on Nov. 10 voted 6–1 to adopt an emergency ordinance to implement ballot issue 3H, a voter-approved 0.4% sales tax for paramedics and pavement, so the tax can take effect Jan. 1 if other requirements are met.

City Manager Jody Lampo told council that unofficial results supported transmission of an enacting ordinance to the state, and staff recommended the single-reading emergency ordinance to meet a state requirement that the ordinance be transmitted at least 45 days before Jan. 1. "The numbers support, me being able to, confirm tonight that the residents have passed, paramedics and pavement ballot issue 3 h," Lampo said. Lampo also explained that an emergency ordinance requires a supermajority (six of seven council members) to take effect immediately; if the measure failed to reach that threshold but passed by a simple majority, it would be treated as a first reading and returned for a second reading within two weeks.

During debate Councilor Ireland said the initiative passed by less than 1% and said she preferred certification before the council acted; she voted no. Several other councilors praised campaign volunteers and firefighters and cited local public safety and infrastructure benefits. The emergency ordinance passed 6–1.

Council also approved related budget action on first reading: Councillor's Bill 48 will appropriate $2,083,450 from Colorado Emergency Medical Services supplemental payment program funds to the general capital outlay replacement fund, a measure the council passed 7–0 on first reading.

Next steps: staff will transmit the ordinance to the state as required; if the ordinance remains an emergency measure and all technical steps are satisfied, the tax would be effective Jan. 1. If the ordinance instead serves as a first reading, council will hold a second reading within two weeks.