We are writing to commend you on your efforts to create a fair & reasonable tax ballot for funding our county government. We agree that infrastructure, law enforcement, and other important business demand attention. We are happy to see your indirect recognition of the CAUSE of our increased funding needs- which is GROWTH… by virtue of your acknowledgment of the necessity for impact fees from new developments. We believe that concept to be crucial in maintaining our citizens’ ability to afford to live in Montrose County. [On that subject, we would also ask that, separately, some consideration be given to “grandfathering”/ freezing citizens’ property tax assessments (as long as they live in their home as a primary residence), so as not to be forced to sell their homes because they cannot afford ever-increasing property taxes.)]
In recalling the previous, failed attempts to pass a tax increase- we believe that the recurring reason for failure was a citizens’ perception that - 1) the reasons for the increase were not sufficiently explained and justified, and 2) an itemized accounting of EXACTLY how the money would be spent was not provided. (we understand that precise collection amounts can only be estimated; so how about using percentages.) Understandably, folks want to KNOW how their taxes will be spent; they are very reluctant to sign “a blank check.”
While it is probably too late to include it in this upcoming proposal, we would hope that some serious consideration would be given to the creation of a fund- for the purpose of providing incentives for our farmers and ranchers to keep their land in agriculture. Properly structured and explained to the public, we believe that the majority of citizens would support such a measure. It has been
done in many other places… We don’t need to “re-invent the wheel.” Coupled with clear and fair density and zoning ordinances- derived from an updated Master Plan- we believe this would be a “win- win” for all concerned.
Again, thanks for your continued efforts to make Montrose County a place we can be proud to call home.
John Cossick & Mary Wood
Montrose Citizens for Responsible Growth
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