Initiative 2A should be defeated because there is a clear, simple solution to build a new police station without a tax increase.
Prior to council approving 2A, the city conducted several outreach meetings where the public was invited. The solution for the police station and infrastructure without 2A was identified by an intelligent citizen at the first public outreach meeting. Council refused to discuss her solution.
Because the proposed tax increase had been discussed internally for years, there was nothing citizens could have said that would have stopped 2A.
The city’s organizational chart shows the city manager works for the council and the council works for the citizenry. However, the mayor stated the city manager is the council’s “coach.”
The city manager sets policy and council follows.
It is obvious that the city manager was committed to this tax increase from the very beginning.
The solution to fund a police station and fix infrastructure is to ask the voters next year to reallocate a portion of the existing sales tax revenue. Voters can remove the limitations on the existing sales taxes (2005 and 2015) that prevent the funding of the police station and roads. There would still be money available to service existing debt and to maintain and expand our amazing parks.
Let’s make our existing taxes work harder to help the men and women in blue. 2A hurts the businesses and families of Durango who are already struggling. Vote No on 2A - there is a better way!
John Simpson
Durango
