Deferred maintenance on federal, state and local roads has been a problem since the 1980s. The city’s proposed 1A tax is not the way to address this issue! 1A would also earmark funds for a hodgepodge of undefined projects.
Even with this tax, the city would be unable to fund:
Snow removal – if heavy snow occurs after snow removal funds are used.The homeless issue – the council’s highest priority, no money to work with the county and volunteer groups.Adequate water supply – if the drought continues, tapping water from Lake Nighthorse would be required to supply water to Durango. Piping and pumping stations would be needed.The best way to get voters to approve a bond to fund a new police station or expand the sub-station is buying the proposed property, preparing a design of the structure and then asking voters to approve a bond to construct it.In each of these scenarios, funds from this new tax would not help. What will voters think if in two years the city asks for yet a new tax to address these issues?
I will vote NO. Rejection of the proposed 1A tax is the only way reallocation of currently earmarked funds to go to the general fund is likely to occur.
John Viner
Durango
