Durango Fire & Rescue Authority is considering asking voters in November to formally consolidate the cobbled-together agency, a move that would eliminate multiple governing boards and help unify the taxing district.
It is a question voters have considered and rejected twice before, but this time there are some differences.
Perhaps the biggest: City residents and business owners wouldn’t be asked to pay a new property tax. Instead, they’d be asked to approve a 15-year contract to obtain fire services. The city would contribute annual fees derived from its sales-tax revenue, similar to the $2.85 million it currently pays for fire services.
Property owners in the Animas and Hermosa Cliff fire districts would be asked to approve a single property tax, which would replace their existing taxes and merge the two districts. The mill levy would be 5.7 mills, which is the average amount Animas residents paid during the last 10 years. It would result in a slight decrease for Hermosa Cliff residents.
If voters approved both measures, it would result in fewer governing boards, reduced costs, and allow the department to do long-term planning, said Chief Dan Noonan.
“This assures emergency services, it reduces government and it streamlines finances, all without raising taxes,” he said.
The DFRA was created in 2002 by combining the Durango Fire Department, Animas Fire Protection District, Hermosa Cliff Fire Protection District and an ambulance service.
Voters approved the consolidation in 2006 by creating the Durango Fire Protection District. But they rejected a uniform property tax, meaning each district maintains separate funding mechanisms and independent boards of directors.
They rejected a second attempt to unify the district and create single taxing district in November 2011.
Both attempts would have resulted in higher taxes for most residents and commercial property owners in Durango.
Under the new proposal, city residents wouldn’t have elected representation on the board of directors.
Proponents say this is OK, because the city would have a contract to ensure fair representation.
“The city will have oversight with the contract that they have with the district, and that’s their power,” said Kathy Morris, chairwoman of the Animas Fire Protection District.
Additionally, if city residents own property in the existing Animas or Hermosa Cliff districts, they would be eligible to serve on the board, she said.
The newest proposal has support from each member of the existing five governing bodies, according to a letter sent Aug. 9 informing residents of the plan.
DFRA will hold three public meetings within the next seven days to discuss the proposal and explain the ballot measures.
A decision to go forward with the ballot measures will be made later this month or early September.
shane@durangoherald.com
An incorrect time was given for one of the meetings in an earlier version of this story based on incorrect information provided by the fire department.
If you go
Durango Fire & Rescue Authority might ask voters in November to consolidate the district and create a uniform taxing structure. Three public meetings are scheduled to discuss the proposal and possible ballot measures:
6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Electra Lake fire station, 44301 U.S. Highway 550.
9-10 a.m. Saturday at Durango Public Library, 1900 East Third Ave., Meeting Room.
6:30-7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Bodo Park fire station, 142 Sheppard Drive.
