Voter use of mail ballot needed for system to work

MEEKER — On April 1, there will be a municipal election in which citizens will have the opportunity and obligation to vote for town elected officials. This will include the mayor and three positions on the board of trustees for the Town of Meeker.
In addition, voters will have the opportunity to vote on a ballot issue. This question, if it receives a majority affirmative vote, allows the Town of Meeker, without increasing or adding taxes of any kind or increasing its property tax mill levy, to collect, retain and spend or reserve all property tax revenues collected in the amount of the town’s current mill levy of 9.781 mills.
The election will be done by mail ballot. Last fall, the town board decided to offer the citizens the convenient method of using mail ballots. This was done to encourage participation by making it more convenient for citizens to vote. Mail ballots are in the process of being sent to all active electors by first class mail and may be returned by mail or hand delivered to town hall during normal business hours. Mail ballots will be mailed out by March 17 and must be received by April 1 no later than 7 p.m.
Those citizens who have registered to vote by mail and who have not voted in a previous election may be required to provide identification and will be indicated on the official return envelope. Replacement ballots may be requested by fax, e-mail or by telephone but the elector must complete a sworn statement specifying the reasons for requesting a replacement ballot.
The April 1 election involves a mayoral and three board of trustee positions. The Town Board of Trustees has the responsibility of acting as legislators for the Town of Meeker. They deal with issues such as public safety, utilities, land use, transportation, law, recreation and cultural activities. They are responsible for the financial well-being of the town and make important decisions within the budget for the welfare of all its citizens. They are elected for four-year terms and can only serve two consecutive terms.
In 1996, the Town of Meeker was exempted by the voters from Article X, Section 20, known as Amendment One or TABOR for all revenue streams except property tax. The Town of Meeker will collect $127, 252 in accordance with the TABOR limits for the year 2008. This year a residential property valued by the Rio Blanco County Assessor’s Office at $200,000 would have been charged $44.27 more and a non-residential (business property) would have been charged $162.30 more for the town’s portion of the property tax on an assessed valuation of $200,000.
Without the TABOR restriction and Colorado State Statute 29-1-301, the town would have been able to collect $177,807 or $50,555 more revenue for 2008.
Costs for the town to provide services are rising much faster than the formula under TABOR. Allowing for full funding of the 9.781 mill levy will have a cumulative impact on the ability of the town to provide needed services for the well-being of the community. Both the towns of Meeker and Rangely combined only receive 1 percent of the property taxes levied in Rio Blanco County.
The voters, during this election, have the ability to decide whether to exempt the restrictions on property taxes as regulated under TABOR and Colorado State Statute 29-1-301. As with everything, there are costs and benefits to consider. Voting for this exemption does not allow the town to raise the mill levy without asking the voters to do so through a ballot issue. The current mill levy is 9.781 and will remain that unless a new levy is approved by the voters in the future. The 2007 assessment required the town to provide a 2.781 mill temporary tax credit, which set the mill levy at 7.00 in order to comply with the TABOR Law and Colorado State Statute 29-1-301.
A healthy democracy requires that the voters participate and understand the process of government. The right to choose representatives and outline the revenue and spending for the services and benefits of the community has not been historically won easily. One of the most important patriotic duties we have is to demonstrate our concern for our community by considering carefully our voting choices and making a personal commitment to be involved. If there are concerns or questions about the election process feel free to call town hall at (970) 878-5344.