The League of Women Voters of La Plata County does not want to tell people how to vote. What it does want to do is ensure that voters are informed before filling out a ballot.
On Nov. 4, voters across the county will decide on a number of local and statewide tax hikes, as well as school board candidates for three separate school districts.
On Tuesday, Siggy Palmer with the League of Women Voters, ran an in-person discussion regarding the ballot initiatives at the Durango-La Plata Senior Center.
Starting with background context, Palmer said that voters in 2022 decided to fund breakfasts and lunches for all students in all school districts across Colorado, regardless of income, to reduce stigma and ensure kids could focus on learning.
That funding is about to dry up, so voters must decide whether to continue or end it through two ballot measures: Propositions LL and MM.
“The league stands on the side of please say yes, (for both propositions) but that’s for you to decide,” Palmer said, emphasizing that her purpose is only to educate voters, not to tell them how to vote.
Proposition LL would let the state keep $12.4 million in surplus tax revenue originally collected for the free meals program, instead of refunding it to higher-income taxpayers (those who paid the increased amount through reduced tax deductions).
The money would continue funding free school meals through mid-2026 and support food assistance programs like SNAP, Palmer said. If LL fails, that money will be refunded to those taxpayers, and the free school lunch program will revert to being only for low-income qualifying students.
Put simply, Palmer said, Proposition MM looks ahead. It would raise about $95 million annually by further reducing income tax deductions for people earning over $300,000, without changing the tax rate.
That funding would make the school meal program permanent, increase pay and training for cafeteria workers, and provide additional support for SNAP.
If both measures pass, free meals continue statewide and food assistance programs are bolstered.
If both fail, the $12.4 million is refunded, no new funding is raised, and free school meals will only remain in low-income schools where they’re federally supported.
When it comes to ballot measure 1A, Palmer said, the bottom line is that the La Plata County government is asking residents to raise the sales tax.
“Basically, it would add $1 to every $100 that you spend,” she said.
Most grocery items and pharmaceuticals would be exempt if the measure passes and the county expects that would translate to roughly $23 a month per household.
She reminded the group that tourists contribute to a lot to the income generated via the sales tax – about 23%.
“The county has been running in a deficit, and the amount of money that we will now be receiving from the federal government has been decreased,” Palmer said. “There has to be a way to fund the things.”
“Things” include road maintenance and construction, the Sheriff’s Office, the senior center and many other services, she said – noting the list goes on.
The major argument against passage of 1A are that a higher sales tax increases the cost of goods for all shoppers, which may be harder on lower-income residents, Palmer said. Those against it argue that additional sales tax may discourage local retail spending and people would start shopping in Albuquerque and Farmington.
The last, specific measures discussed were those asking for a mill levy increase for the Durango Fire Protection District.
The city of Durango and the Durango Fire Protection District are seeking a coordinated 4.5 mill property tax increase to build and staff a new fire station in Three Springs, among other needs.
Palmer explained that each individual homeowner’s property tax money is distributed among many taxing districts – like the county, school district, fire district and mosquito control. Each district keeps its own funds and must balance its budget, she said. Money collected for one purpose cannot be used for another.
Looking at a sample property tax bill, Palmer noted that over half the total goes to Durango School District, with smaller portions going to the county, fire districts and other local services.
The reasons to vote yes on the measures, Palmer said, is that extra funding means faster response times and better safety for everyone.
“Voters can be sure the money goes directly to fire protection and emergency services, and a tax increase will only take effect if it’s approved by the voters in both the city and the wider fire district, which means more community voices are involved,” Palmer said.
The reasons to vote no, she added, is that property owner owners will pay higher taxes – “it would be a burden, especially for people with fixed incomes.”
Palmer said that federal financial support to states has decreased over time, forcing states to find new ways to fund their own programs and local governments. As a result, counties are now facing shortfalls because the state no longer covers certain costs it once paid for.
“So then locally, we who live here have to decide, how best do we serve ourselves?”
jbowman@durangoherald.com
