Farm Bureau opposes mill levy

 

because of ‘tax burden’

Editor:

There is a mill levy proposal that will be put to a vote in June that needs to be clarified as to the intent and need of it being passed. As proposed, a 1/2 mill tax would generate approximately $360,000 dollars annually for 10 years for the Valencia County Soil and Water Conservation Board. Of the proposed generated funds, $80,000 would be allocated for the county extension service to help their financial difficulties. However, this would only be for two years and then be decreased by 25 percent annually and then totally phased out within five years. So what happens to the remaining $300,000 per year? Good question, as is the fact that this would be occurring for 10 years!

Do you want a five-person committee to have the absolute say-so as to how this money will be spent? Is it fair to use the unfortunate financial problems of the extension service as a publicity tool, playing on the emotions of our citizens, to get their wish list passed? Does the public know that these funds can be shifted to whatever pet project this committee feels inclined to spend it on?

Because of the uncertainty and ambiguous line items proposed by this mill levy request, as well as the extra tax burden this will inflict on property owners, the Valencia County Farm and Livestock Bureau Board does not support the proposed tax levy and encourages voters to vote against it.

Let it be known that Farm Bureau is not against supporting the extension service. In fact, we support any proposals that would be made to pass a mill levy for the sole purpose of funding the extension service and 4-H programs during our county’s financial shortfalls, however we also feel that it should still be the responsibility of the county commissioners to make sound, responsible budget decisions to keep the funding for the extension service.

Valencia County Farm and Livestock Bureau Board

Angelo Baca

President

Adelino

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Valencia County News-Bulletin
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