MEEKER I Meeker’s Board of Trustees amended their regular agenda Tuesday to discuss whether the town supports the concept of a 1% sales tax increase dedicated to funding local dispatch services following the special meeting of the county commissioners.
With a countywide sales tax, that ballot proposal has to be approved by Friday. The trustees agreed to a special meeting Thursday once Town Manager Lisa Cook receives the ballot measure language from the county.
Currently, the Town of Meeker has an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the county to provide dispatch services, for which the Town pays $45,000 a year. Termination of that IGA demands 275 days notice, a point Mayor Kent Borchard brought up in the county meeting Monday and again at the town meeting Tuesday.
Of concern to the town board is that if the 1% sales tax increase passes and is divided evenly between the two towns and the county, that wouldn’t be fair, since Meeker generates more revenue in sales tax than Rangely. It would be a “windfall” for the Town of Rangely (which operates its own dispatch) and a savings for the county, while the Town of Meeker would be left to carry the load.
“There are a lot of moving parts here,” said Town Manager Lisa Cook. Nothing as of press time has been finalized.
Staff reiterated support for RBC Sales and Use tax director Deb Morlan’s position, with Mayor Kent Borchard saying, “There are a number of places they could cut over there, but in my opinion sales and use tax is not one of them.”
Trustees approved a $84,280 bid for a remodel of the animal shelter to Regas Halandras; approved an amended lease to David Smith Ranches for use of the Ute Park property; and approved a contract with Overton Recycling.
