It’s been several months since La Plata County voters approved the passage of the 1% sales tax increase, estimated to generate an additional $19 million in annual revenue.
Since then, the county has spent just over half of that with much of the money directed at budget stabilization.
Additionally, a large chunk of money has been allocated for the perpetually cash-strapped Road and Bridge Department.
Of the estimated $19 million in tax revenue, roughly $10 million was allocated to the general fund and the other $9 million to the Road and Bridge Department.
A little more than $10 million of the estimated revenue has already been spent, both on general fund and on the Road and Bridge Department, said Adam Rogers, county finance director, during a board discussion last week.
A significant portion of early spending went toward backfilling budget deficits that existed before Measure 1A passed. About $4 million was split between the county’s general fund, and its road and bridge fund to help stabilize core services.
A primary focus of the new spending has been public safety. Measure 1A money has been used to restore staffing in the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office, including six detention positions and two patrol deputies, as well as two animal control positions. Additional funding has supported equipment purchases, such as body cameras and jail-related programs.
The 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office received funding for staffing increases, and other county departments saw support through payroll adjustments and the addition of a position in the Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
Beyond personnel, some Measure 1A revenue has been transferred to capital improvement and maintenance funds, and used to cover operational costs such as software, fuel, professional services and facility upkeep.
The measure has allowed the Road and Bridge Department to begin work on projects that had been deferred for years.
Among them is an asphalt overlay project on County Road 500, covering about 2.7 miles from County Road 501 to the end of the Vallecito Creek Trailhead.
Because of prior budget constraints, the department completed no major projects last year, said Road and Bridge Superintendent Mike Canterbury.
“If 1A had not passed, I would have only had $50,000 in my asphalt budget,” Canterbury told commissioners.
Commissioner Matt Salka called the project “a 1A win.”
Early revenue, however, has come in slightly below expectations. The county received its first sales tax distribution from the state in January, which was about 11% lower than projected, Rogers said.
“I feel like it’s vendors getting used to it,” he said, adding he expects revenue to normalize in the coming months.
Rogers also noted broader economic uncertainty could affect future collections.
“Across the nation, people are a little nervous about their spending,” he said.
While the 1A sales tax provided a much-needed boost to the county’s budget, Salka said the county is still focused on taking a measured approach to spending. One that works to trim excess and prioritize essential services.
jbowman@durangoherald.com
