RANGELY I The essence of a viable community is the means by which it provides for the educational, recreational and health needs of its citizens. Special districts provide community-based services that are invaluable and uplift the community. The health of a community is judged by the resources it provides for the community to utilize. Parents, for example, typically look at the school district, neighborhood safety and recreational opportunities when choosing a community to raise their children.
Rangely is fortunate to have strong special districts such as the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District (WRBM) that includes the camper park, the recreation center, the golf course and Elks Park. These are amenities that encourage families to live here and sustain the quality of life for local residents, of which Rangely is particularly proud. Depending on the season, on any given Saturday the playground or the pool is filled with children’s laughter. Families flow in and out of the rec center’s doors. The recreation center is the go-to place for after-school activities. The golf course is unique from any other in the local region. The rec center offers free Wi-Fi and has space for studying, meetings or conferences. WRBM hosts multiple free community events throughout the year. Favorites include the Fourth of July fireworks; inflatables for community and school events; Christmasfest and parade; Easter and Halloween events; and multiple discounts for members.
WRBM will ask local citizens for a mill levy increase at the May 2022 election. The last time the district voted for a mill levy increase was in 1996. Tax revenue has decreased over the last decade which has resulted in insufficient funds to cover operating expenses. As people move away or as property values decrease, the amount of revenue the mill tax generates decreases. The same four mills that were approved in 1996 do not generate the same revenue as they did then. During the last 10 years, the mill levy revenue has decreased by $994,520. That amount can go a long way in a small district. Since 2011, the average cost per year is $180,000 to maintain all facilities and the equipment required to maintain them. While the budget has decreased, expenses have increased.
WRBM Director Tim Webber described a few of the current needs of the district at this time including handicap accessible door openers to maintain ADA compliance. The specific parts required have been discontinued and the replacement costs approximately $6K for each of the two-button operators on each door set, for a total close to $13K.
The district has used its reserves, reduced staff positions, and tried to avoid increasing rates. Rates at the golf course have been raised over the last two years and the Rec Center has only increased once since opening in 1980 and only by $1.25, offering the lowest rates in the region. They hope to keep those rates low for the enjoyment of visitors. In the event that they cannot secure a mill levy increase, the district will need to make drastic decisions that may result in no after-school classes, no indoor pool, no one to mow the park and playground area, no one to perform repairs, and no trash collection.
These amenities require maintenance and upkeep costs that are often unnoticed except by the crews that use them and the admin staff. Repairs, upkeep and renovations can be costly. If a gazebo breaks, without WRBM, there is no one to fix it. The irrigation systems are maintained by the district. Without those, all green life turns brown very quickly in this arid climate and landscape. The playground was last resurfaced in 2016 and is due again. Comments by parents on the playground are often heard, “Why don’t they fix it? It’s dangerous!” The community decides which districts they fund and which ones they are going to live without when they vote. WRBM recognizes the difficult times the community is facing as a community, region, and country. The decision to ask the community for additional funding through a mill levy increase was a difficult one and saved for the last resort. Without a mill levy increase, the district will eventually dissolve all assets as required by the Special District Association of Colorado which provides the board member manual for supporting community-based governments. The SDA provides the manual as a reference focused on the legal duties, requirements, and procedures applicable to special districts in Colorado like WRBM.
In 2021, the Rangely community voted not to fund the school district’s requested increase and the school district has since had several major expenses. Webber cautions the community against cannibalizing itself for tax dollars. What each taxpayer will save in property taxes will cost the community resources that support the lifestyle it values. For the average homeowner in Rangely, it is approximately an additional $57/year in property taxes. Without the resources to support a population, the population disappears. Cherished small towns become ghost towns, a phenomenon that has happened across our greater region.
The opportunity to vote for the quality of life in Rangely is being presented to the community. Webber will be holding informational meetings in the Rec Center conference room at the following times: March 16, March 29, April 14, April 25 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Citizens seeking information can attend and ask questions to make an informed vote. Webber invites everyone to attend. The WRBM board has two elector seats open. Citizens are encouraged to be involved in the decisions of WRBM.
By KATIE KING | Special to The Herald Times
