I am writing to encourage your vote for ballot measure 1A, the extension of the half-cent sales tax, Sweetie Marbury and Dick White.

Durango, like many other western towns, was founded on traditional industries such as mining and ranching. But we have become more reliant on what economic developers call “amenity-based development” that builds on a community’s cultural and natural assets such as the preservation of historic architecture, our environment, the arts and, most notably for Durango, our recreational assets. It is imperative that we properly maintain these assets to promote this type of growth that reflects our community values.

Marbury and White get this. So does Sean Waddell, who decisively supports the extension of the half-cent sales tax. But I don’t think we need a change right now. The current City Council has been grappling with difficult decisions and doing a fine job of it.

The airport, sewer plant and our recreational infrastructure all are vital to Durango’s future development. And it is important to remember that the funding mechanisms for each of these are different – the sewer plant must pay for itself through fees, the airport improvements through county taxes, and recreation must be funded by the half-cent sales tax and the general fund, or by the general fund alone if the sales tax ends. All three dedicated funding sources position the city to be eligible for state and federal matching funds.

Please know that rejecting the sales tax extension will not free up money to help fund the sewer plant or the airport but would end up draining money from the general fund that would otherwise be spent on other infrastructure needs.

We have a strong system of checks and balances in place with skilled city staff, parks and recreation and multi-modal advisory boards, citizens and City Council overseeing the allocation of funds. To date, they have been invested wisely and support our community, economy and quality of life. Please join me and vote yes on 1A, and re-elect Marbury and White. For more information, visit durangogov.org/halfcent, dickwhitefordurango.org and facebook.com/sweetie.marbury.

Ellen R. Stein

Durango