Quick 'n' Dirty
Tax measures face local voters
Local voters are being asked to dig a little deeper into their pockets this November. La Plata County is asking voters to approve a 1% sales tax increase while the City of Durango is asking voters to weigh in on a proposed 4.45 mill levy property tax increase for the Durango Fire and Protection District.
According to the City, the property tax increase will be used to fund a new fire station at Three Springs, among other things. If passed the mill levy increase, which only applies to properties within the City of Durango, will apply to 2025 taxes and be collected in 2026.
Bear with us as we attempt to muddle through the convoluted mill levy process as best we can. One “mill” is equal to $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property value. Currently, La Plata County assesses residential properties at a rate of 6.25%. That means, for a house of $750,000, the assessed value is about $47,000, so a 4.45 mill levy would equate to an increase of $209.15 a year.
According to the Durango Fire Protection District, it is now mostly funded by the current mill levy of 8.2, so this would equate to a little more than a 50% increase.
However, nothing is set in stone, and the city is asking for resident feedback on the proposal – known as Question 2A – which would appear on the Nov. 4 ballot. Through noon, Fri., Sept. 19, the City will be accepting pro/con feedback on the proposed ballot question. Comments may only be submitted by eligible voters, must contain their name and address, and be signed. Electronic signatures are acceptable. Comments are limited to 500 words and can be submitted via ballot.durango@durangoco.gov or by mail or in person at: Durango City Hall, 949 E. 2nd Ave.
As for the county, its proposed 1% sales tax hike question was approved Tues., Aug. 26, by commissioners. The increase would be used to offset revenue shortfalls that fail to “keep pace with the steadily increasing cost to provide the level and quality of services the community has come to expect,” according to a county news release. These services include, but are not limited to: building, maintaining and improving roads, bridges, public buildings and other infrastructure; supporting law enforcement and public safety; preparing for and responding to wildfires, floods and natural disasters; providing services and support programs for veterans, seniors and at-risk families; and preserving and enhancing county services, as needs evolve.
The sales tax increase of 1% would come out to a $1 increase on a $100 purchase. The current sales tax levied by La Plata County is 2%, so if approved, the increase would bring that total county sales tax to 3%. This is in addition to 2.9% levied by the State of Colorado and 3.5% by the City of Durango. If passed, the total new sales tax rate in La Plata County would be 9.4%.
Ballots will be mailed the week of Oct. 10, with military and overseas ballots going out the week of Sept. 19. The general election is Tues., Nov. 4.
Bike/ped counters needed
And speaking of the City of Durango, if you’ve got a little extra time on your hands mid-September, they could use your help
On Sept. 16-20, the city needs volunteers for its annual bike and pedestrian count. These counts are vital for grant funding and to inform infrastructure projects, the city’s “Bicycle Friendly’ status and decision-making on transportation patterns.
Volunteers are needed for 2-hour stints at various locations. They will be tasked with counting cyclists and pedestrians and reporting that number to the City’s Multimodal Division. For their troubles, volunteers will get a free Kleen Canteen water bottle.
To sign up, go to: volunteersignup.org/TME4Q.