Durango Hills residents have a significant measure on the November ballot – one that won’t raise taxes or increase the mill levy, but simply allows the Road Improvement District to keep the revenue it already collects.
Ballot Issue 6A removes a state-imposed 5.25% limit on property tax revenue growth that has steadily reduced the District’s income even as costs for gravel, grading and snow removal continue to climb sharply. The cap has forced the mill levy down from 20.379 to 18.132, cutting the annual road budget by tens of thousands of dollars, pushing the District to draw down its emergency reserves to unsustainable levels.
If 6A passes, the mill levy would allow Durango Hills – north of the intersection of Florida Road and County Road 234 – to collect the full amount of revenue it is legally authorized to, rather than being limited by Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights’ formulas, allowing the District to keep pace with costs and maintain its five miles of neighborhood roads at historical service levels.
For the average homeowner, that’s about $100 per year, or roughly $50 per half-year payment. Without approval, residents can expect reduced maintenance frequency, a rotation of which roads get serviced each year, and more potholes and washboard conditions over time.
This is not a tax increase – it’s a practical fix, much like what the Durango Fire Protection District’s Ballot Issue 7A is asking voters: to approve a modest mill levy increase and remove the same 5.25% revenue cap. Both 6A and 7A ensure districts can retain the funds they collect and maintain essential local services.
Only the 181 eligible voters in Durango Hills can decide this issue. We encourage a “yes” vote on 6A to preserve safe, well-maintained roads and protect neighborhood value.
