Locals first: Three taxes for La Plata County voters
La Plata County voters are looking at three local tax questions – two county taxes and one school district tax.
The county measures are roads and bridges, and the airport.
Roads & Bridges
After coming up short last November, the La Plata County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved bringing the road and bridge tax back to voters. It’s a property tax increase of 2.4 mills and would sunset in 10 years.
The county has a page on its website listing every upgrade and maintenance project the funds would be used for: co.laplata.co.us.
Airport
The other county tax measure is a property tax increase to pay for a new airport terminal on the east side of the runway, opposite the current terminal. The measure would allow the county to take on $40.4 million in debt to pay about half the constructions costs, anticipating FAA grants and other federal funding will supplement the other half.
There is no sunset on the tax, but there is language in the measure requiring the county pay off any loan within 20 years.
For backgorund, see “Doubling down,” Telegraph, July 21.
9-R Mill Levy
The school tax is different depending on where voters live, but everyone will have a school tax question on their ballot.
In Durango, the 9-R School District wants to fill a funding gap, called the negative factor, and take more local control of school budgets with a property tax increase of 1.2 mills. There is no sunset on the tax.
Stronger Schools, Stronger Community is the local campaign supporting the measure. So far, no opposition campaign has surfaced.
For more, see “Strength in Numbers,” Telegraph, Aug. 18.
Bayfield Schools Mill Levy
The Bayfield School District is asking voters to consider a property tax increase to pay for a new elementary school for grades 3-5 and renovation of the already existing elementary school to service grades K-2.
It’s something the Bayfield district has been looking at for years. It has decided to come to voters this year because of an available $8.5 million state grant. The cost of the construction is estimated to be just over $37 million, so the ballot measure is looking to increase the debt by $28.7 million to cover the remaining costs.
No specific campaigns have been established to promote or oppose the measure. The Bayfield School District’s website is www.bayfield.k12.co.us.
What you’ll see on the ballot:
- Ballot Issue 1A – La Plata County’s road and bridge property tax
- Ballot Issue 1B –Durango-La Plata County Airport property tax
- Ballot Issue 3A –Property tax increase for Durango School District 9-R
- Ballot Issue 3B –Property tax increase for Bayfield School District
– Tracy Chamberlin