This November, La Plata County voters will be asked to approve a new 1-cent sales tax. Supporters say it’s the only way to keep roads and services funded. But a closer look at the county’s budget shows this isn’t really the case.
By law, the county must fund certain core services, departments like the sheriff, jail, courts, human services, public health, elections, and road and bridge. These are the “must-haves” that keep our community safe and functioning. They should always come first.
The county also spends tens of millions each year on optional programs. Many of these may be valuable, but they are not required by law. In tight times, the county should review and slow down these extras, prioritize spending before asking families and seniors to pay more at the checkout counter.
A sales tax is the most regressive option. Every family pays the same penny on every dollar, no matter their income. That adds up to hundreds of dollars a year for many households, money that could go toward groceries, heating or school supplies. And once adopted, new taxes hardly ever go away.
Most importantly, this tax doesn’t solve the real problem. County policies have made it harder for businesses to grow and for housing to be built. That means less revenue year after year. A permanent tax hike is just a Band-Aid while the deeper issues go unaddressed.
Let’s demand smarter priorities and real solutions, not another permanent tax. Vote “no” this November.
Diana Boudreaux
Bayfield
