The story headlined “Property tax increase favored for Durango-La Plata County Airport expansion” (Herald, March 1) said, “City Manager Ron LeBlanc added support for a property tax question. The option, he said, is safer than depending on sales tax revenue, which takes an immediate hit when the economy nosedives.”
It sounds like Ron, the city and the county want a recession-proof tax. Meanwhile, residents receive the opposite. They become recession vulnerable. What happens to a server working for tips when the economy nosedives? They take an immediate hit and still pay that tax.
Let’s be clear: The city and county not only want to raise taxes tomorrow so they can spend $85 million today, they also want a guarantee that they still get to collect even if times get tough. What’s good for the goose is not good for the gander.
Uncertainty should be shared by government and the governed alike. If there’s something in my life I want indemnified it’s mine and my neighbors’ house – not our airport.
Robert Cooke
Durango
