Dear Editor:
A year ago, I addressed the Ouray City Council regarding the approximate 65% increase in residential property assessments in Ouray County (published in the Plaindealer in July 2023). Based on the state law calculation for determining and certifying local government property tax mill levies, this large assessment generated a windfall of property tax revenue for most districts. The citizens of the city of Ouray gratefully thank the City Council for showing some tax restraint by taking a 2.98 mill levy temporary credit to reduce the property tax increase for 2024.
During citizen communications at the Sept. 16 City Council meeting, I reminded the council that the property assessment is performed every two years. Therefore, the 2023 assessment has the same impact on calculating 2025 property tax revenues as it did for 2024 property tax revenues. In a recent special session, HB1001 was passed and enacted into law by Governor Polis, giving some property tax relief, but that was only achieved after the authors of two tax limiting ballot initiatives agreed to withdraw those initiatives from the Nov. 5 ballot, effectively eliminating the voice of voters. According to the article in the Sept. 5 Plaindealer on page 12, “The deal was negotiated behind closed doors in recent weeks among a small group of Democratic and Republican legislators, the governor’s office and Michael Fields, the leader of Advance Colorado.” Basically, neither side is fully satisfied with the resulting legislation. Property taxes affect all Coloradans with respect to housing (whether owned or rented) and proportionally more so with respect to brick-and-mortar retail, restaurants, and lodging, i.e. businesses from which we all make purchases. For 2025, state legislation for property taxes is a settled matter.
Locally, however, the City Council can support its citizenry by showing some property tax restraint by way of taking a temporary mill levy credit for 2025, as it did for 2024. Inflationary times are still with us, no matter how the official Consumer Price Index gets calculated.
Even by taking the 2024 temporary mill levy credit, the City Council was able to adopt a balanced budget for 2024. On behalf of all city of Ouray citizens, I have encouraged the City Council to again take a temporary mill levy credit and achieve a balanced budget for 2025. You, too, have a voice and can provide the City Council with your opinion.
Kathy Elmont
Ouray
