There is no denying the current ½-cent sales tax dedicated to the construction of the Rec Center and Animas River Trail system, scheduled to sunset by 2019, has greatly benefited the city of Durango. On the April ballot, you will be asked to approve a 20-year extension of this tax for recreational purposes. We have heard that “this is not a new tax,” but this is only true for 1999-2019.
It is, however, a new tax for the years of 2020-2039.
In the past few months, there are constant articles in the Herald about current and potential increased expenses. All of us are now paying much higher water and sewer fees, and those will continue to increase in the next two years. If a new airport is approved, property taxes will increase. There is also discussion about adding 15 cents per gallon to our gasoline taxes for roads and bridges.
Increases in gasoline tax, property tax (passed on to renters) and water and sewer fees heap more financial burden on those already struggling with limited financial resources. It’s true that a ½-cent tax sounds like an insignificant amount, but when your expenses almost exceed your income, every half penny adds up.
City residents have three categories of pending expenses: mandated – the sewer treatment plant; needed – airport expansion, water line repairs/replacement and road maintenance; and desired – more recreation. Fifteen years ago, there were no other major projects looming, so approval of the tax for recreational purposes made sense. Today, our situation has drastically changed. The health and well-being of those with limited financial resources should be more important than more recreational opportunities. This is not the time to approve a tax extension.
Vote “No” on Question 1-A.
Barb Bell
Durango
