Active registered voters in Durango should have received a municipal election informational booklet in the mail this week about ballot measure 1A with arguments for and against the proposed tax increase. But who wrote those opinions?
Well, it wasn’t city staff, said City Clerk Amy Phillips. The pro and con arguments were written and submitted to the city by residents, and what showed up in the election booklet is a no-more-than-500-word summary of those comments. And the booklets aren’t sent by the city as a get-out-the-vote effort; rather, the Colorado Constitution requires it.
The election information booklet recites the ballot question: Should Durango increase sales tax by 0.5 percent to fund “construction, operation and maintenance of streets, alleys, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and related street improvement with proposed expenditures being first submitted to a citizen advisory board.” It also says how much the tax could raise in the first fiscal year: $4.69 million.
Proponents said residents should vote for the tax measure because revenue from sales taxes are down and costs are up. The tax is specific and simple and preventive maintenance is much cheaper than reconstruction, according to the pro argument.
Opponents to the ballot measure said in a summary of comments made to the city that the question was “hastily prepared,” the tax is a temporary fix, spending and austerity have not been addressed by the city, it’s difficult to afford to live in Durango already and a NO vote will encourage city councilors to pursue long-term planning.
The booklet also addresses frequently asked questions about the election. Ballots are available March 18 in the City Clerk’s Office, and if residents didn’t receive one, they can call 375-5010. Incomplete ballots will still be counted, and replacement ballots are available for anyone who loses, damages or makes a mistake on a ballot.
Ballots must be received at any of the designated drop-off locations by 7 p.m. April 2. Drop-off locations include the Durango City Clerk’s Office, the La Plata County Administration Building and the La Plata County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
bhauff@durangoherald.com
