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Water district allows homeowners to opt out
La Plata-Archuleta's board members may schedule mill-levy election in May
Herald Staff Writer
“This isn't new," water district president Dick Lunsford said by telephone. “This is the third chance people have had to drop out."
The first chance was before a hearing of La Plata County commissioners. The second opportunity was before a court hearing, Lunsford said. The latest mailing doesn't go to all residents because some homeowners already have removed their property from the district.
“We're trying to be fair," Lunsford said. “Some people may not need water now, but they could come back in later without a penalty."
The deadline for returning the letter is March 15, he said.
District board members could schedule a mill-levy election, perhaps in May, to fund the district, Lunsford said. The levy would be 5 mills on assessed valuation, he said. The district in September postponed a November election because of anti-tax sentiment and the weak economy.
A brochure distributed by the district last year estimated the property tax on a $250,000 house would be $8.25 a month or $99 a year.
The district won a $400,000 grant from the Colorado Water Conservation Board last September to further develop the project. Harris Water Engineering of Durango is working on a district master plan.
In 2008, voters narrowly approved formation of the district, which would provide potable water to a rural area where residents have wells or truck in their water. The vote was 481 in favor, 449 opposed.
The southwestern corner of Arch-uleta County is scheduled to be served at a later date.
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Durango Herald Calendar of Events
Thursday, February 04, 2010
at 8:36:22 AM
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git r done says...
I have been hauling all my own water for ten years now. I think a rural water system in the area would benefit alot of people. I live less than one mile from Bayfield city limits. My neighbors all haul water as well. It is very easy for proponents to say that we do not need this system. Easy for people to say that who currently have reliable drinking/irrigation water. Think about your neighbors who don't have any water at all. This is not about development, but supplying the basic need for water to all. Why should you be allowed to vote even though people have opted out of the district. Of course a project of this magnitude costs time and money, but nothing comes easy these days. When I built my house, I drilled a well that turned out to be a dry hole. Five thousand dollars down the drain, and now I am thankfully supplied my water (hauling) by the new water salesman in Bayfield-thank you for this service!! Let's think of the community as a whole, and stop being so selfish because you "have water"!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
at 10:52:12 PM
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schitk says...
As long as a few find a way not to solve a problem, we will never end up with a viable water system in this county. The southeast part of the county is plagued with ground water quality and quantity issue that can only be resolved with a countywide potable surface water system. Why is it that Cortez and Dolores have the Montezuma County Water district and we have nothing? Might be because they understand what being a neighbor actually is! Can you believe that they payed taxes and got something from the government? Novel thought. I guess that nothings free except the freedom to expect everything for nothing and complain when you do not get it!
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
at 11:27:34 AM
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WB says...
I don't think the water district people have any idea of the cost of this undertaking. Why should people have to pay taxes on somethink they don't have and may never have. There is no way to promise their water sourse is sustainable to my way of thinking. I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I can still hoe.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
at 11:11:15 AM
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ccrider says...
LAPLAWD's strategy is shrewd. If you opt out you can't vote. That makes chances of the mill levey passing better for them. If you think the water will only cost $100 per year, dream on. Remember they are counting on most of their money coming from taxation of BP, who has announced a halt on drilling. When that money dries up, guess who's left with the tab?
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
at 10:43:36 AM
Suggest removal
Predator says...
This ill-conceived project has haunted us for years, and like the Creature from the Black Lagoon, it just keeps rearing its ugly head. Time and again the organizers of this boondoggle have made the process for opting out of the district as muddy as possible, in the hopes that we're all too busy to notice. Enough is enough. Taxpayers should not be held captive by a select special-interest group whose only true intent is promoting run-away development. And state statutes should not allow a few determined individuals to form a quasi-governmental taxing authority. Those who want to build such a project should opt in, not force the rest of us to jump through rings of fire to opt out.