La Plata County voters have had ballots in their possession for more than two weeks now – plenty of time to weigh in on important local issues and one statewide question.
However, as of Monday afternoon, just 22 percent of eligible La Plata County voters, and only 20 percent of city electors, had returned their ballots to the La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s office. It is not too late to boost those numbers – though nearly so – and voters should take time to fill out and submit their ballots before 7 p.m. today.
La Plata County is asking for a mill levy increase – the first in at least a quarter of a century – in order to fund road and bridge construction and maintenance. Thus far, fewer than 9,000 county voters have participated in this decision that could bring up to $50 million into the county’s coffers over the 10-year life of the proposed property tax increase of 2.4 mills. There should be more voices contributing to a critical county debate on how to invest in critical infrastructure. Vote yes on La Plata County ballot question 1A – and do it quickly.
Just 2,740 city voters had returned ballots as of Monday afternoon, meaning that the city’s remaining 11,100 eligible voters have not weighed in on whether the city can take $68 million in bonds to reconstruct the wastewater treatment plant at Santa Rita Park. That is far too large a financial commitment to be made by so few voters – particularly when so many unanswered questions about the facility’s location remain. Vote no on the city of Durango ballot question 2B – and do it now.
The city and county each have ballot questions asking voters to allow the respective entity to invest in telecommunications infrastructure – a practice the Colorado Legislature banned for municipalities and counties in 2005. This is an important opportunity for local governments to help ensure that our semi-rural communities have the bandwidth they need to compete in the 21st century. Both the county’s question 2B and the city’s 2C warrant yes votes; cast them post haste.
The only statewide ballot question is Proposition BB, which would allow the state to keep revenues, roughly $66 million, that were collected in excess of the amount projected in the 2013 Blue Book explaining that year’s Proposition AA – the measure allowing Colorado to tax recreational marijuana sales. Voters approved that proposal, and should do the same with Proposition BB. Forcing the state to return the money would net each Colorado taxpayer an average of $8. The money could be far better used to fund school construction and youth, substance abuse and marijuana education programs. Vote yes Proposition BB – at once.
These are important state and local issues that warrant participation from more than 20 percent of local voters. We must do better, and there are many easy ways to do so. Three voting centers – the county clerk’s office at 98 Everett St., Suite C, the La Plata County Fairgrounds at 2500 Main Ave., and Bayfield Town Hall at 1199 Bayfield Parkway – are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. Ballots can be dropped there, or voters can vote in person. There are also drop boxes available through 7 p.m. at the clerk’s office, Bayfield Town Hall, the county administration building at 1101 E. Second Ave., or Ignacio Town hall at 540 Goddard St. Today is the day: Vote now.
