Voters opened their wallets to the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District by approving a mill-levy increase to help offset lower property values and declining revenue from the gas industry.
The final Tuesday night tally, which will be certified in the next two weeks, had 52 percent of votes in favor of the 5.95 mill increase. It passed by 146 votes.
“It was a hard-fought battle,” said Chief Bruce Evans. “The people who supported us came out and won the day.”
The owner of a $250,000 house will pay about $136 more per year. It is projected to raise an additional $1.6 million annually.
The money will help offset a shortfall from gas revenue and a decline in property values, including an 18-20 percent decrease in property valuations in the Forest Lakes subdivision, which makes up about 40 percent of the district's assessed valuation, Upper Pine District Chief Bruce Evans said.
“We're trying to make up for the shortfall created from those two things,” he said.
The increase also will allow the district to offer paramedic level service, keep the Forest Lakes fire station staffed 24 hours per day, and boost pay for firefighters.
The starting salary for Upper Pine firefighters is $36,000, about $8,000 less than the Durango Fire Protection District and about $12,000 less than like-sized districts across the state, Evans said.
“If we don't take care of (firefighters), how do we expect them to take care of the public?” he said.
The tax increase will sunset in 10 years, meaning the 5.95 mills will go away unless voters reauthorize it at a later date.
If there is a spike in gas revenue or if housing prices rebound, the board can lower the mill levy without authorization from voters, Evans said.
“We have a lot of conservative voters in the east part of the county, and I don't expect them to sign a blank check,” Evans said.
shane@durangoherald.com
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