The drop in tax revenues from natural gas has hit La Plata County hard, and the downward trend will continue. While the county revenue drop is large, the drop to funding our schools is even bigger. In 2012, gas and oil tax going to Durango 9-R was $1,811 per student per year, and Bayfield, $1,342. Those numbers have dropped by about 50 percent.
The majority of the decline in gas and oil revenues is due to oversupply. However, part of the downturn here and other parts of the state is due to highly restrictive gas and oil regulations and threats of more to come.
Commissioner Gwen Lachelt has been a major supporter for more regulations through lobbying at the state and federal level. Indeed, she spent time in Farmington and Washington, D.C., lobbying rather than attending La Plata County government meetings. Further, she has led symbolic commissioner votes in support of various new regulations and master plans.
Commissioner Julie Westendorff has not directly testified for more regulations, but she votes with Lachelt on nearly all environmental issues. Their efforts are disturbing in that it not only hurts our schools but also costs the county jobs and related revenues.
My wife is a retired teacher and understands and agrees with the teachers’ and parents’ negative reaction to these issues.
The two commissioner candidates (Kayla Paterson and Lyle McKnight) running against the incumbents will restore the balance between our economy and environmental protection. Please give them your support. Further, please support the mill levy increase to help restore funding to our schools.
Jim Lewin
Durango
