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Up in the air

Airport property tax may be added to already-busy 2016 ballot

by Tracy Chamberlin

In a year with plenty of political fodder to capture voters’ attention, two more items might be headed for November’s ballot blowout.

Along with the already raucous races for president, seats in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, Colorado Legislature and La Plata County Board of Commissioners are up for grabs. In addition, several controversial ballot measures, from fracking limits to beer sales, are likely.

But, just because the list is long, local officials aren’t ready to sit this one out.

La Plata County is moving forward with a pair of possible ballot measures, asking voters to approve a property tax increase to pay for a new airport terminal, as well as road and bridge repair and maintenance. Not everyone’s convinced, though, this is the right time for a vote.

La Plata County Commissioner Julie Westendorff doesn’t think county leaders have time to make their case to the public when it comes to the airport. “We need a lot of voters to be on board with this,” she said. “I’m very skeptical as to whether that’s possible.”

Over the past few years, city and county officials have come to the conclusion that the Durango-La Plata Airport is in need of a makeover.

Built about 30 years ago, most of its facilities are outdated and aging. Every nook and cranny is crammed with equipment, personnel or both; and, the terminal, which serves the entire Four Corners region, bursts at the seams during peak hours.

In an effort to address those issues, officials approved a plan to build a new airport terminal on the east side of the runway, opposite its current location. The plans  also include parking, a new taxiway and other facilities.

The price tag for the initial stage of the project is $80 million, half of which the Federal Aviation Administration is likely to pitch in. One thing needed to secure those FAA funds is a guarantee that local governments can pay the other half.

The county considered sales and property taxes as a way to pay for a $40 million bond during a meeting Tuesday. There were arguments on both sides, however, La Plata County commissioners Gwen Lachelt and Brad Blake ultimately supported the property tax option.

“I don’t take property tax increases lightly,” Lachelt said.

Blake explained he thought it would probably be cheaper for residents than the sales tax option. It was also considered a more stable source of funding.

According to county officials, the additional taxes for a residential home in La Plata County valued at $350,000 would be about $44 per year. For a commercial property valued at $1.1 million, it would be approximately $466 per year.

Along with the road and bridge tax, the combined annual increase for a residential homeowner was estimated to be around $150.

According to county documents, “if the board places a question on the November 2016 ballot proposing to increase the mill levy by 2.4 mils to fund road and bridge improvements, as well as a ... 1.59 for airport improvements … it would represent a 47 percent increase.”

Since the board and council began discussing the airport tax, Westendorff expressed her concerns with placing it on the 2016 ballot and attempted to sway her colleagues. “My arguments weren’t compelling enough,” she said.

The Durango City Council approved a resolution supporting a property tax for the airport improvements at a meeting Monday. The vote was unanimous although City Councilor Christina Rinderle was absent.

Also, several business leaders either came to the Tuesday meeting or sent letters of support, including the Durango Chamber of Commerce, La Plata County Economic Development Alliance and Durango Business Improvement District.

Westendorff said when she bumps into people on the street, however, 8 out of 10 don’t support an airport tax.

The community feels like they’ve been asked for enough, she added.

In recent years, Durango and La Plata County residents have seen increases in water and sewer rates, recycling charges, electric bills, transit fares and more. City residents even voted to renew a ½-cent sales tax earmarked for parks and recreation projects.

Whether it’s the county or city, it’s no secret most municipal facilities in the Southwest are longing for some love.

Maintenance and repair needs were often put on hold when the recession hit, and now several years later, many are showing their age.

The city plans to remodel the Wastewater Treatment Plant in the coming years, as well as address other aging buildings like the Mason Center and Police Station. For La Plata County, its roads, bridges and the airport.

“I look at the roads and bridges, and the airport, as the biggest assets this county owns,” Blake said.

County staff came into the meeting Tuesday looking for direction. They left with the task of putting together specific numbers and a formal resolution for commissioners. The deadline to submit a measure for November’s ballot is July 29, and the final language for the measure is due in September.