PERALTA — Seeking to fund increased expenses for public safety and to put Peralta in a position to be able to expand their public safety capabilities, Peralta’s councilors will consider implementing a two mill levy at next week’s council meeting.
Peralta’s treasurer and deputy clerk Steve Robbins recommended a two mill levy increase to the council at a town workshop held April 23 to “prepare for future protection of Peralta residents.” Public safety encompasses the fire department, emergency medical services, police, animal control and code enforcement.
“This goes directly to benefit the residents of Peralta more so than any other mill levy that we’ve ever done,” said Steven Chavez, the town’s attorney.
Peralta has had an intergovernmental agreement with Bosque Farms in place for several years for police service. According to previous News-Bulletin reporting, Peralta’s leadership has commended Bosque Farms police for their excellent performance and valuable assistance, but agree public safety remains a top concern for the town’s residents and costs related to public safety services are on the rise.
“These expenses come out of our general fund right now,” said Robbins. “The expenses included everything from wages, taxes, volunteer stipend, insurance on vehicles, workman’s comp, professional services, vehicle maintenance, training and fuel (expenses) have skyrocketed.”
Town Clerk Kori Taylor said in a phone call that Peralta has had very limited funding for public safety and there is a need for bolstering their EMS program and expanding fire department services, especially considering the rise in status zero, which is when a call for an ambulance is received, but there are none available at that moment to send because they are away on other calls.
Taylor said there is also talk of establishing a police department, but there is nothing set in stone.
“You’re going to be able to see more police presence in our community, maybe, or more EMS presence in our community, or better trained zoning officials, because this would help zoning folks get trained, too,” said Chavez. “I just think this helps us grow as a community more so than any other aspect of what we’ve done in the past.”
Peralta currently has a three mill levy in place dedicated to wastewater, which was established about 10 years ago to help fund a sewer system to treat wastewater and protect groundwater quality in the area. This levy currently brings in about $205,000 a year.
However, Robbins said there is now sufficient funds in the wastewater account, so the three mill revenue can be transferred to the general fund to assist with public safety.
“If the governing body approves this mill levy, it will require a resolution to release those funds from wastewater to the general fund,” Robbins said.
Robbins said based on census data, a one mill increase would lead to an average $70,000 in additional mill levy revenue and a two mill average would be double that. If the proposed two mill levy is approved, funds from this, combined with the three mill levy, would bring in additional $344,000 annually on average to the general fund.
While the amount taxed depends on the assessed value of a property, Robbins said, on average, a homeowner would see an approximate $102 increase to their property tax bill per year if a two mill levy were approved.
For a commercial business owner, on average they would see about a $96 increase per year in property tax if a two mill were to be approved.
Peralta Mayor Bryan Olguin said the council has not sought a mill levy tax increase in 10 years with the three mill being the only levy they have implemented to date and that “every other entity out there raises costs every year.”
“I’m comfortable doing a one or two mill levy because like you said mayor, it’s been 10 years,” said Councilor Randy Smith. “It’s one of the reasons we (recently) raised our gross receipts tax. Everybody around us had raised and raised and raised it and we stayed at the same rate for years. 10 years, you know, I believe I can justify that to the residents and the commercial owners.”
“I think we’ve been really prudent with the (three) mill levy that we took in, and the amount of service that we provide since then has increased profoundly,” said Councilor Joseph Romero. “It benefits the overall health of our community, and I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t make one targeted at public safety and do the exact same thing — increase the services that we provide, and make this town a more attractive place for businesses to move in and people to bring their kids.”
The proposed two mill levy will be listed as a discussion, public hearing and then consideration item at the next town meeting at 6 p.m., Tuesday, May 14, at Peralta Town Hall, 90-A Molina Road.
Robbins said if the council were inclined to approve the mill levy increase, they would need to vote on it before the preliminary budget was due in June.
Felina Martinez was born and raised in Valencia County. She graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2021. During her time at UNM, she studied interdisciplinary film, digital media and journalism. She covers the village of Los Lunas, Los Lunas Schools, the School of Dreams Academy and the town of Peralta.
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May 16, 2024
