Value times mill levy; statewide taxes administered by state statutes
Dear Editor:
I went down the legendary rabbit hole on the Meeker Message Board (Facebook) several days ago and can’t shake the responsibility to enlighten the RBC taxpayers. Several responses to a post directed at the County Assessor were so off-point concerning property taxes on our local Rio Blanco homes and properties, I could not stay silent. Communism was even mentioned in some comments.
Apparently the poster and others believe Rio Blanco property taxes on homes and properties are inequitable, robbery, unnecessary, illegal, unfair, inhumane, not what Rio Blanco County needs. I was angry at first, then came shock, then sadness. Sadness led me to believe that some residents of Rio Blanco County envision their tax dollars flying around in the air waiting for unwanted projects to claw at them and steal from citizens who begrudgingly paid them. With the exception of the Colorado River Water Conservation District, all of our tax dollars are administered by taxing districts within the boundaries of Rio Blanco County. Colorado River Water is a multi-county district and addresses the Colorado River in Colorado. We have a voice concerning water in a river which flows beyond Colorado.
And we have voting rights in those taxing districts which Rio Blanco residents pay into. Indirectly, our county government and schools became taxing districts when Rio Blanco separated from Garfield County over a century ago. We have voting rights within those districts. The most recent districts added (by vote) were bond issues requested by both Meeker and Rangely school districts. Voting is the cornerstone of our districts.
Personally, my 2025 assessed value is $23,500. I have a three bedroom and one bathroom home. The original poster’s home is more than twice mine in square footage with an assessed value of $26,050. We are both in the ballpark of being average. My 2025 (due in 2026) total tax bill is $800, his tax bill is $1,800. We’re still both in the same ballpark of being average. The assessor’s database is public information.
My $800 tax payment spreads well (my opinion is personal):
• The Meeker school district gets $380 from me. Almost half of my tax bill goes to the Meeker School District. When my family moved to Meeker in 1976, that scenario was evident then – almost half to support Meeker kiddos, teachers, admin, choir, band, athletics from kindergarten through graduation. This is a taxing district we embraced though we didn’t have kids in school in 1976. No skin in the game, right? But our support is unquestionable.
• The County of Rio Blanco receives my $180. This includes (among other departments) Road and Bridge. They are famous for snow removal, but did you see what they did when our county roads experienced flooding after the summer fires? I believe my Piceance neighbors are thankful for their time. The county-proper mill levy is 9.050. That number is seared into my brain, it hasn’t changed in decades and is one of the lowest county levies in the State of Colorado. The mill levy of 9.050, based on your assessed value — remember that — covers the county sheriff, senior meals and social services, among other things, are included. And my $180 gets spread razor thin. Postage, any one?
• Our Meeker Pioneers Hospital requested my support of $150. This assessment includes services for Meeker’s Walbridge Wing. Pioneers, being a rural facility, I’d trust my life to them. Any question of price on that? Not from me.
• Meeker Fire District received $50 from my tax bill. I can’t say enough how the Fire District S-P-R-E-A-D my $50 fighting the Elk and Lee fires. Those volunteer firefighters are superheroes for not only the Town of Meeker, but Rio Blanco County. They have my heart! They could not have done what they did without the equipment that tax dollars helped purchase.
• The Meeker Cemetery District requested $17. I have relatives and dear friends that I know where they are if I need to visit. $17 is (maybe) 1 hour’s worth of lawn mowing. Many visitors commented on how well-kept and restful it is. My peace of mind has found comfort – how do you put a price on that? $17 tax dollars? Okay. . . .
• Back to the nitty-gritty… The two water districts that I support, through historic voting initiatives, required $15 total. It’s maybe lacking what is needed in today’s atmosphere. Colorado River Water and Yellow Jacket Water District are facing challenges in unknown territory. Can I do more, or is this robbery? It’s within my voting power.
•Rounding out my tax bill, the Meeker Library gets $10. Even if book procurement is your focus, how many books can $10 amass? I love the library staff! Especially how they interact with our next-gen patrons. Yeah, roofing, HVAC, and even a replacement for Books the cat (I’ll remember Books forever!) must come from community support for this district.
• I don’t pay into the Town of Meeker or the Rec District, as I live outside of those taxing districts and have not opted into them (and that’s a right I have, too). But I’m betting those in Meeker respect the ability to flush their toilets and all agree the Rec District can not be unnoticed for what they do for 1-year-olds to 101-year-olds (OK, and beyond?).
• All of my tax dollars, with the exception of Colorado River Water, remained in Rio Blanco County for community advancement and all are specific to my districts’ wishes. Each district has its own voting power. And I vote in each that I can.
Like I said, the citizens’ belief that Rio Blanco taxes are unconstitutional is personal. I am the most-recently retired County Treasurer serving 2005-2017, committing 12-plus years of service. I applied the value times mill levy formula. I sent tax notices. I collected tax dollars, then distributed them. All according to Colorado State Statutes. I know exactly where my tax dollars go. And while in office, I and my staff fielded questions concerning this. That has not changed.
Your tax notice from the County Treasurer and notice of valuation from the County Assessor tell a deep story. Do you know where your Rio Blanco property tax dollars land? Get your questions answered. Facebook is MEH.
Karen Arnold
Meeker
The danger of being one-dimensional
Dear Editor:
It is easy to let one critical issue (such as water) dominate the local conversation, especially when that issue impacts every life in every industry. However, effective leadership requires a wide-angle lens. While we must remain vigilant in protecting our core assets, we cannot afford to become hyper-focused on one topic while other transformative shifts happen right under our noses.
Take, for example, the future of energy. Nuclear power is increasingly becoming a dominant topic. If we aren’t actively seeking a seat at those tables now, we risk being sidelined, finding ourselves in a situation where we have all the risk and none of the reward or oversight. We need to be proactive participants, ensuring our community’s interests are represented.
Again, while maintaining a seat at this table, we must continue to be vigilant in supporting the oil and natural gas industry that has sustained this county for many decades.
Similarly, we have to keep a close eye on the “small” bills being pushed at the state level that make an impact on our daily operations. Recent legislative trends—such as Senate Bill 26-146 (prohibits restaurants from automatically providing napkins and utensils) might seem like a minor inconvenience until you’re the small business owner facing a fine just for providing the quality service our neighbors expect. Bills like this represent a growing pattern of state-level overreach into local business management. These regulations add layers of administrative friction and cost to the local businesses that keep our towns thriving.
True advocacy isn’t about choosing one issue over another; it’s about maintaining a balanced perspective. We can defend our essential resources while simultaneously:
• Engaging in high-level energy policy.
• Advocating for fiscal common sense in the face of new mandates.
• Ensuring that the voice of the local business owner isn’t drowned out by state-level bureaucracy.
By balancing our priorities, we ensure that no matter where the change comes from—be it energy, regulation, or water—our community is prepared, protected, and ahead of the curve.
Better together,
Rich Ford
County Commissioner Candidate
Grateful for well-prepared board members
Dear Editor:
I went to the Library Board meeting April 29 and I have to say it was the best meeting we’ve had since Meredith Deming was president. Keri Grieser stepped up to run the meeting since the current president was absent. She was prepared, organized, and definitely able to handle the president’s role. Toby Leavitt, secretary/treasurer was on top of it as well. Toby was organized and could answer questions that were asked. Kristina Selby, Library Director, as usual, was prepared for the meeting. We are very fortunate to have these three ladies on the board and staff. They do their homework and are prepared for the meetings.
Carol Parr
Meeker
