November 7, 2017 Coordinated Election Informational Booklet

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1 Tiffany Lee Parker Clerk & Recorder 98 Everett St., Suite C, Durango, CO November 7, 2017 Coordinated Election Informational Booklet NOTICE OF ELECTION TO INCREASE TAXES/TO INCREASE DEBT/ON A CITIZEN PETITION/ON A REFERRED MEASURE This Notice of Election was prepared in accordance with Article X, Section 20 of the Colorado Constitution and the Colorado Uniform Election Code of 1992, as amended. The information contained in the Notice was prepared by persons required by law to provide summaries of ballot issues and fiscal information. The La Plata County Clerk & Recorder does not warrant, verify, or confirm the accuracy or truth of the ballot titles, questions, text, and summaries of comments as presented, nor is the Clerk & Recorder responsible for errors in spelling, grammar, or punctuation of the materials presented. YOU MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ON ALL ISSUES CONTAINED IN THIS NOTICE. (970) elections@co.laplata.co.us

2 Voter Service & Polling Centers La Plata County Clerk & Recorder 98 Everett St, Ste C, Durango Monday - Friday Oct. 30 Nov. 3 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday Nov. 4 8 a.m.- Noon Monday Nov. 6 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day Nov. 7 7 a.m. -7 p.m. Bayfield Town Hall 1199 Bayfield Parkway, Bayfield Monday - Friday Oct. 30 Nov. 3 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Saturday Nov. 4 8 a.m.- Noon Monday Nov. 6 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuesday, Election Day Nov. 7 7 a.m. -7 p.m. Ballot Drop-Off Locations 24-Hour Drop Boxes La Plata County Clerk & Recorder Bayfield Town Hall 98 Everett St, Ste C, Durango 1199 Bayfield Parkway, Bayfield La Plata County Administration Building Farmer s Fresh Market 1101 E 2nd Ave, Durango 535 Goddard Ave, Ignacio * Attention Property Owners * If you are an active registered voter in the State of Colorado who does not reside in the Durango Fire Protection District but owns property in the District you are eligible to vote on Ballot Issue 4A. In order to obtain a ballot please contact the La Plata County Clerk s office via: elections@co.laplata.co.us Phone (970)

3 Frequently Asked Questions What if my ballot doesn't come? If you have not received your ballot within a week after they are mailed, call the County Clerk s office at (970) What if I have moved and have not updated my registration? You may submit a paper voter registration to the County Clerk s office or update your registration online at until Oct. 30 to receive a ballot by mail or go to a Voter Service and Polling Center to update your registration and obtain a ballot through Election Day. I will be out of town when the ballots are mailed. How do I get a ballot? Ballots are available on Sept. 25 in the County Clerk s office or you may complete a Voter Registration Application to have the ballot mailed to you at the out-of-area location. What if I do not vote on all the candidates or measures? You do not have to vote on all the candidates or measures, your ballot will still be counted for all voted races. What if I make a mistake, damage or lose my ballot? You may call the County Clerk s office and request a replacement ballot. One will be mailed to you provided the request is received no later than Oct. 30. Otherwise, you may request a replacement ballot in person at a Voter Service and Polling Center until 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 7. What if I did not sign my return envelope? The County Clerk s office will contact you in writing to have you come into the office to sign your envelope. You have until Nov. 15 to sign your ballot in order for your vote to be counted. When must the voted ballot be returned? The voted ballot must be received in any La Plata County designated drop site location by 7 p.m. on election night. POSTMARKS DO NOT COUNT.

4 City of Durango BALLOT ISSUE 2A: AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE CITY PROPERTY TAXES 2.5 MILLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING FOR FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDED WITHIN THE CITY BY THE DURANGO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AND TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT WITH THE DISTRICT TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL FEE PAYABLE BY THE CITY TO THE DISTRICT. SHALL CITY OF DURANGO TAXES BE INCREASED NOT MORE THAN $1,500,000 IN TAX COLLECTION YEAR 2018 AND BY WHATEVER AMOUNTS ARE GENERATED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER BY A MILL LEVY OF NOT MORE THAN 2.5 MILLS FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING FOR FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY SERVICES PROVIDED WITHIN THE CITY BY THE DURANGO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT AND SHALL THE CITY BE AUTHORIZED TO AMEND THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE DISTRICT WHICH WAS APPROVED BY CITY VOTERS ON NOVEMBER 5, 2013, TO INCREASE THE ANNUAL FEE PAYABLE TO THE DISTRICT BY THE AMOUNT GENERATED BY THE 2.5 MILL LEVY AND TO AMEND THE TERM OF THE AGREEMENT TO THE EXTENT THE COUNCIL DETERMINES IT IS NECESSARY TO DO SO TO COMPLY WITH THE CITY CHARTER; PROVIDED THAT THIS AUTHORIZATION SHALL BE CONTINGENT UPON THE VOTERS OF THE DISTRICT APPROVING A DISTRICT MILL LEVY INCREASE OF 2.5 MILLS AT THE NOVEMBER 7, 2017 ELECTION? Total City Fiscal Year Spending Fiscal Year 2017 (estimated) $52,339, (actual) $47,436, (actual) $47,664, (actual) $46,306, (actual) $39,491,060 Overall percentage change from 2013 to % Overall dollar change from 2013 to 2017 $12,848,222 Proposed Tax Increase City Estimate of the Maximum Dollar Amount of the Proposed Tax Increase For Fiscal Year 2018 (the First Full Fiscal Year of the Proposed Tax Increase): BALLOT ISSUE NO. 2A: $1,500,000 City Estimate of 2018 Fiscal Year Spending Without Proposed Tax Increase: $52,802,460 Summary of Written Comments FOR Ballot Issue No. 2A: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline. Summary of Written Comments AGAINST Ballot Issue No. 2A: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.

5 Durango Fire Protection District BALLOT ISSUE 4A: SHALL DURANGO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT TAXES BE INCREASED $1,476,881 ANNUALLY IN THE FIRST FULL YEAR (2017 TAXES PAYABLE IN 2018), FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY SERVICES, AND FOR OTHER EXPENSES OF THE DISTRICT WITHOUT LIMITATION; SUCH TAXES TO BE GENERATED FROM AN INCREASED LEVY OF 2.5 MILLS AND BY SUCH AMOUNTS AS MAY BE COLLECTED ANNUALLY THEREAFTER FROM A MILL LEVY NOT TO EXCEED 8.2 MILLS (THE EXISITNG VOTER APPROVED 5.7 MILLS AND THE ADDITIONAL 2.5 MILLS), SUCH LEVY TO BE IMPOSED ONLY UPON THE APPROVAL OF A 2.5 MILL LEVY BY THE VOTERS IN THE CITY OF DURANGO FOR THE PURPOSE OF PAYING THE DISTRICT FOR FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY SERVICES WITHIN THE CITY; AND SHALL THE DISTRICT BE AUTHORIZED TO COLLECT, RETAIN AND SPEND THE PROCEEDS OF SUCH TAXES AND ALL OTHER AMOUNTS RECEIVED ANNUALLY FROM ANY REVENUE SOURCES WHATSOEVER AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE WITHOUT REGARD TO ANY SPENDING, REVENUE-RAISING OR OTHER LIMITATION CONTAINED WITHIN ARTICLE X, SECTION 20 OF THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION, SECTION , C.R.S., OR ANY OTHER LAW? FISCAL YEAR SPENDING 2017 $11,691,580 (estimated) 2016 $11,877,127 (actual) 2015 $10,740,035 (actual) 2014 $10,000,421 (actual) 2013 The District had $0 fiscal year spending in 2013 The overall percentage change and dollar change from 2014 to 2017 (inclusive) is a percentage increase of 16.9% and dollar increase of $1,691,159. Estimated maximum dollar amount of tax increase for 2018 $ 1,476,881 Estimated 2018 fiscal year spending without proposed tax increase $11,838,190 Summary of written comments filed with the election officer FOR THE BALLOT QUESTION: Durango Fire Protection District is successfully providing outstanding emergency medical, fire and rescue response to the Durango Fire Protection District and the City of Durango. Consistent call volume increases averaging 7% per year have significantly impacted the District s ability to assure timely response for all customers receiving service from the District. Revenue streams, based mainly on 5.7 mills of property tax extended to property owners and the City, have failed to keep pace with the District s growing demands for service. Contributing to these revenue reductions are significant declines in valuations of oil and gas property, and a downward adjustment of the assessed residential multiplier, based on the Gallagher Amendment. The diversity between call volume and revenue stream has prompted the District to ask voters for a 2.5 mill levy increase on their property tax. The 2.5 mill adjustment will increase annual property taxes by $18 per $100,000 of value for a residence, and $73 per $100,000 of value for commercial property. The revenue from this increase will fund the following priorities for the department: First, fund the operational expenses, which currently are being taken from capital reserves. Second, increase staffing levels to meet the demands for service. Third, start funding the capital needs defined in the Capital Improvement Plan.

6 As the sole provider for fire, rescue and ambulance services in the City of Durango and the Durango Fire Protection District, it is critical for voters to fund the fiscal needs of the District to assure continued outstanding service. It will also provide funds for meeting the expanding needs in the community. Properly funding and staffing the fire department has additional benefits to the community beyond response capabilities. By adequately funding Durango Fire Protection District, it allows the District to maximize efficiencies to achieve lower insurance premiums through ISO ratings. When the District has enough staffing, equipment, training and personnel, the insurance rates can decrease for property owners within the City and the District. In 2015, the District lowered the ISO rating from a 5 to a 4, providing a direct reduction in insurance premiums to property owners. That reduction cannot be maintained or supported for long with the current funding deficit. By approving this ballot measure, the District will achieve its goal to not only maintain the current level of a 4 ISO rating, but target improving to a 3, further decreasing insurance premiums to the residents in the response area. Summary of written comments filed with the election officer AGAINST THE BALLOT QUESTION: No comments were filed by the constitutional deadline.