Pine River Valley residents voted to maintain the same rate of property tax for the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District it has levied since 2013. Out of 5,293 votes, 74% were for maintaining the 5.95 mill rate, while 25% voted against it.
The mill levy increase had a “sunset clause” placed on it at the time it was voted on nine years ago, meaning the property tax increase would automatically be terminated after a fixed period unless extended. Ballot Issue 7A asked voters to get rid of the sunset clause and keep the property tax at its fixed rate.
“It’s an accountability piece to the public,” said Fire Chief Bruce Evans in a previous interview with The Durango Herald. “If you’re doing a bad job, the tax runs out. If you’re doing a good job, voters can reward you with keeping the tax increase.”
He said his department has done a good job over the years and earned the right to keep the tax rate at 5.95 mills.
“We think we’ve done a good job for the public,” Evans said. “We’ve been fiscally conservative in our spending. We won Ambulance Service of the Year last year. We’re one of only two rural ambulance offices (in Colorado) besides Red White and Blue Fire Protection District (in Breckenridge) that’s accredited. We like to brag that we have the same quality EMS service you would get in Vail or Aspen.”
molsen@durangoherald.com
