La Plata County commissioners are considering trying again in November for voter approval of a tax increase to fix roads and bridges.
Voters last month rejected a mill levy proposal that would have increased revenue by about $50 million over 10 years, which has left county officials wondering what to do next.
County Commissioners and members of the county Long-term Finance Committee on Monday discussed how soon the county can present another property tax hike ballot item, and what the months prior to that would look like.
As revenues tied to the natural gas industry spiral downward, finance committee members said property and sales tax revenues won’t make up the difference.
Voter turnout was poor overall in November. The ballot item failed by about 500 votes, or a 52-48 percent split. Durango voters showed more support for the increase than constituents in unincorporated parts of La Plata County.
“I think it will have a better chance of passing when there’s good turnout,” said committee member Gary Masner. In other words, the presidential election in 2016 will likely drive people who might stay away in an off-year to the polls.
But commissioners must consider the message to their constituency if they introduce a tax increase measure just one year later.
“I would be concerned about going back too soon with the same question,” Commissioner Brad Blake said. “That can leave a bad taste in voters’ mouths: ‘We just told you no, but you’re back again.’”
Commissioner Julie Westendorff countered that those who didn’t vote this year are the targets rather than those who opposed the measure.
Before the ballot item makes a reappearance, the county intends to make a pitch to voters about the particular need for road and bridge infrastructure. For that, the commission may appoint a road and bridge advisory committee.
Of the 621 miles of roads maintained in La Plata County, the road and bridge department estimated 70 percent of the roads are in good shape. That percentage accounts for only road surface conditions, and it drops when considering the gravel roads in want of paving.
The county is not allowed to spend government dollars on political advertising, such as sending mailers about the tax increase, for instance, and that places more importance on face-to-face public education.
Attendance was poor at public meetings in Bayfield and Ignacio about the tax increase this past election season. The Gold King Mine spill, commissioners say, also distracted them from more rigorous educational outreach.
In the meantime, the commission plans to examine a 2007 feasibility study conducted for Flathead County in Montana, which illustrated how that county’s departments could benefit from those revenues. The county called for the analysis because of its rapidly growing population.
Road impact fees would be a road- and bridge-specific monetary pool, and a first for La Plata County.
jpace@durangoherald.com
