As I read this morning’s paper (Oct. 12) I find myself getting more frustrated than ever before about the financial mismanagement of our county’s tax revenue. I am not talking about improprieties or illegal behavior. I am talking about not managing the budget properly (mismanagement) for the last four years and getting us into the situation that we are in right now.

Back in 2012, there were hints and signs that our oil and gas revenue would decline in the next few years. Our current commissioners acknowledged in their campaign that they were aware of the impending problems. They also assured us that given four years as your commissioner, that they would take appropriate measures to ensure we would make the necessary adjustments to the budget to minimize the impacts of the coming crisis.

As revenues continued to decline, like they were anticipated to do, our commissioners continued to spend large amounts of money on questionable projects.

New, expensive offices and furniture for the employees would make them more productive. Then why are we wasting another $200,000-plus on hiring an outside company to do another version of a land-use code? Isn’t that the work of county employees?

Because of redirected budget priorities (new offices, new furniture) the road and bridge projects and regular maintenance were not appropriately budgeted for. Those same county commissioners asked us to bear the burden of a mill levy increase to pay for the self imposed shortfall. As I recall, we said no.

So here we are beginning to feel the impact of the anticipated revenue shortfalls and the commissioners are having to make some tough decisions. Mismanagement has brought us to this financial crisis and crisis in confidence. I no longer have confidence in our current commissioners. Four years ago, they told us that if given a chance they would not let this happen.

We gave them a chance. We need commissioners with business experience that can properly manage the budget and that will serve the citizens of La Plata County, not special interest groups. Vote for McKnight and Patterson.

Jim Carpenter

Durango