As the media and community engagement manager for the city, I applaud the question raised by Durango High School student Naomi Rowe (“More questions about the 9-R bond issue,” Dec. 18) regarding the 2019 sales tax increase and how it has been spent.
Transparency is key for local government. However, some clarification is needed. Durango voters in April 2019 approved raising the tax by a half cent to improve the city’s streets. All money from the increase has been spent exclusively for that purpose, which includes construction, operation as well as maintenance costs. The money is also for improving curbs, gutters, sidewalks and other street-related expenses.
The ballot measure passed by voters specifically states how the money can be spent. Proposed expenses first go to an advisory board, which then makes recommendations to City Council. Since the tax was implemented, the city has collected $5.9 million. Of that $5.9 million, $3 million was spent in 2020 to pave alleys, rebuild streets (including Thomas Avenue), install ADA-compliant ramps, as well as for concrete work and other miscellaneous engineering and testing expenses.
It is true that $1.7 million of the sales tax has been transferred to the general fund, but this is because street operation and maintenance costs are paid from the general fund, which essentially needed to be reimbursed.
The balance of the money raised from the sales tax increase is in the sales tax fund. Again, it’s great that Durango High School is encouraging its students to ask questions about government, since these decisions affect everyone.
Tom SluisMedia and Community Engagement Manager, City of Durango
