This is part 4 of a series exploring Rio Blanco County’s special districts, how they are funded, and their transparency practices. Read part 1: “The ins and outs of special tax districts” Part 2: “Explainer: how special districts work” Part 3: “Recreation in Rio Blanco County: WRBM and ERBM” rbc[Read More…]
Tag: Taxes
Editor’s Column: Death and taxes
If you haven’t filed your 2021 taxes yet, you have until Monday, April 18 this year, instead of the usual April 15 deadline, thanks to a locally recognized public holiday — Emancipation Day — in the District of Columbia that has IRS offices closed on Friday. The D.C. Compensated Emancipation[Read More…]
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: MARCH 31, 2022
Tax update from county assessor Dear Editor: Dear residents of Rio Blanco County: tax notices have been sent from the county treasurer and most of you saw a change in your tax amounts from the prior year. There are many reasons for these changes, for instance 2021 was a reappraisal[Read More…]
County wins appeals case with Utah Gas
RBC | The Rio Blanco County Board of County Commissioners, along with the County Assessor’s Office and County Attorney’s Office are pleased to announce a recent decision rendered by the Colorado Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). The BAA reviews appeals filed by real and personal property owners regarding contested valuations[Read More…]
URSA pays $718K in back taxes
RBC | The County Treasurer’s office received a $718,363 check from natural gas operator URSA Resources for 2019 back taxes plus interest owed through Sept. 2, 2020, when the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. URSA reported $303,205,987 in total debt in its bankruptcy filings. The funds received from[Read More…]
Rangely Fire mill levy passes, hospital and election results posted
RANGELY | Ballot Question A is a go, according to voters. Rangely Rural Fire Protection District’s mill levy increase passed by 63 votes and will take effect in 2021, with an increase to 2.0 mills (from 0.874 mills.) You can read further explanation in this letter from the board. Ballots[Read More…]
Are two tax amendments threatening Colorado’s ability to sustain some of its most essential community services?
RBC | Panelists at Club 20’s March 31 conference in Grand Junction targeted the so-called “Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights” or the TABOR amendment, as a major cause of the growing fiscal dilemma in Colorado. TABOR was added to the Colorado constitution in 1992. The amendment limits government agency tax revenues (tied[Read More…]
Stamp Act 2.0? {Staff Column}
RBC | As a free market loving, Libertarian leaning Republican I am fond of the saying “Taxation is Theft.” While I know it’s a bit glib and typically used as a sensationalized attention grabber designed to make a big splash I was reminded this week why I really do despise taxation[Read More…]
Board talks bonds, guns at work session
MEEKER | Meeker’s Board of Education held a work session Monday to discuss a variety of items, but the meeting was dominated by the two main topics: an upcoming bond issue and school safety. The meeting began with a presentation by two Denver-based investment bankers from George K. Baum and Company,[Read More…]
OPED: Not so fast on tax act, says congressional candidate for 3rd District
By Diane Mitsch Bush Special to the Herald Times RBC | Many economists, tax analysts, nonpartisan organizations like the Joint Committee on Taxation, and former officials from both Republican and Democratic administrations agree that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will not simplify the tax code, provide long-term tax cuts[Read More…]
Many rural Americans qualify for earned income tax credit
RBC | The Internal Revenue Service wants taxpayers living in rural communities to be aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and correctly claim it if they qualify. Whether living in the big city or a small town, EITC can help. The EITC is a federal income tax credit[Read More…]
Letter to the Editor: Taxes too high already
Dear Editor: As one of the voters who voted down the recent school mill levy override, I think I speak for the majority of those who made the choice not to increase taxes on the hard-working people living here. These folks cast a “no” vote because they are already strapped[Read More…]