From Washington to Westminster: How Dysfunction Hits Home
Also: Westy's low taxes and rising costs
If you missed it, see my previous newsletter:
Agenda
Important Announcements
Did you Know? Westminster’s Low City Mill
Announcements
Quick Update:
Do you want to run for City Council? Reply to this email, text or call me and I can help you: 720-447-5606. I want to see more leaders to step up and serve.
Chaos from Washington: Washington’s dysfunction is forcing cities like ours to tackle rising costs, crime, and underfunded services alone, so I’m working with Congresswoman Pettersen’s office to pull together a summary of federal cuts so I can consolidate the impacts across federal, state, and city levels for you. My goal is to keep you informed so that you understand local impacts.
Colorado State Budget Cuts: Here’s a quick breakdown of the draft budget cuts still on the table at the Capitol — knowledge is power, and your voice matters, so contact your elected officials if you don’t like it:
One-of-a-kind partnership: Last week, Westminster City Council gave positive direction for Staff to form a special public-private partnership agreement with the Westminster Chamber of Commerce to invest $300,000 for purpose of the Chamber to execute a year-long pilot program focused on community events and promotional activation of the small businesses in our new Downtown Westminster business area. There will be plenty of activities like festivals, wine tastings, markets, concerts and more for our residents to enjoy.
Growing Home Food Drive: Today from 10AM-3PM, go help Advent Lutheran Church’s food drive for Growing Home
Protest in Westminster: Today, our Covenant Living retirement community has scheduled a Public Demonstration protesting the Trump’s actions in regard to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. It goes from 10AM to 12PM at Covenant Living, with street parking on 92nd Ave and Yarrow.
Pictures from last night’s Westminster Chamber Black Tie Gala:
Did you know? Westminster’s low City Mill
I’ve mentioned before how I pushed hard to ensure that infrastructure was our top priority as a council during our Strategic Planning retreat back in February. Our Fire department is in critical need of infrastructure investment and I plan on ensuring they get it. Next week, I’ll give you an update of outcomes from our special Budget Town Hall (focused on Fire and Roads) that we held on April 3 as part of our ongoing 2026 budget process. Next week, I’ll dive deeper into the outcomes from that and how it is clear that we need to diversify our revenue and hear more from the public on how we can fund these essential needs.
But, today, let’s talk about revenue.
Westminster’s city mill levy is 3.65, the second lowest among our neighbors. Most of your property taxes are not from the city, but from schools, the county, and special districts. By keeping the city’s share of your property tax low, we are helping to make Westminster more affordable for families. However, with a lower city share, it also means we have fewer local dollars to fund essential services like public safety, parks, and infrastructure.
Our sales and use tax rate is 3.85%, putting us in the middle of the pack compared to our neighbors. Sales and use tax fund almost 70% of our total revenue as a city. While sales taxes help spread costs to visitors and non-residents, they are considered regressive because lower-income residents spend a higher share of their income on taxed goods.
Stay tuned for more next week.
About Obi Ezeadi
Obi Ezeadi is a first-generation American with a diverse background in entrepreneurship and business leadership across healthcare, housing, technology, transportation, and hospitality. As a City Councilor, he champions economic, democratic, and personal freedoms, ensuring prosperity and protection for families, seniors, and local small businesses. View some of his accomplishments below:
“Government Unpacked” is a fact-based newsletter delivering deep dives on politics, history, and civics from a Colorado policymaker to help you unpack government and find your purpose to change the world.
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🚨For Westy Residents: Bookmark these two important pages below🚨
Click: Important Westminster Events and Projects
On my newsletter’s homepage, I create a special, one-stop page that has information and links to everything you want to know about regarding (the important) Westminster events and major projects. All in one place.
Click: Obi’s Community Resources Master List
This page has a collection of links to important community resources related to water bills, housing, healthcare and more. If you know of a resource that should be added to this list, please email me to let me know!
Link to my full voting record.
Some ways I try to meet you where you are:
I hold weekly office hours (every Monday at 4:30PM at City Hall) - no appointment needed
Follow Obi on Instagram
Text or call me: 720-447-5606
Door-knocking (not for an election) to meet you where you are, connect you to resources and hear from you about issues I should prioritize
City Council Town Halls around the city