Durango voters approved a half-cent sales tax extension Tuesday, showing strong support for Ballot Measure 2A.
The measure received 3,230 “yes” votes and 1,557 “no” votes, according to the second and final round of results. Voter turnout was about 34%.
Ballot Measure 2A asked voters whether a 2005 half-cent sales tax should be reauthorized for 30 years, through 2056, to fund a new joint city hall and police station and continue funding maintenance, acquisitions and upgrades to parks, open space and trails.
The measure allows the city to increase its debt by $61 million, with a repayment cost of $123 million, to fund renovation and construction of the historic former high school at 201 E. 12th. St. and the former Big Picture High School next door. The two buildings will serve as the new city hall and police station, respectively.
Half of the sales tax revenue will continue to go toward maintenance, improvements and acquisitions of parks, open spaces and trails.
Cathy Metz, who formed Opt in Durango – a political committee backing Ballot Measure 2A – told The Durango Herald in the lead up to the election that the 2005 sales tax helped the city preserve land at Horse Gulch, Dalla Mountain Park and Oxbow Park and Preserve; contributed to the opening of Lake Nighthorse for recreation; and secured a permanent water right on the Animas River for boating.
Metz previously served as director of Durango Parks and Recreation for 25 years.
City officials and Durango Police Department Chief Brice Current have said a new police station is decades overdue. The current police station at 990 East Second Ave. is cramped and unsafe, they say.
On Tuesday night, Metz said she was grateful for the work of volunteers who helped educate the public about the measure.
“It’s going to make such a huge difference in our community in the future,” she said. “We’re just so appreciative of all the Durango voters that believe in 2A and supported it with their vote.”
cburney@durangoherald.com
