Election 2008

Districts nix taxing, spending limits
Durango West 2, Los Pinos Fire de-Bruce
by Kathrine Warren
Herald Staff Writer

As voters made their way through the ballot this year, some La Plata County residents were asked on Ballot Issues 5B and 5E if their special taxing districts should remove the limits of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.

All voted yes.
The Los Pinos Fire Protection District and the Durango West Metropolitan District No. 2 (Durango West 2) voted overwhelmingly to stop limitations on the amount of revenue the districts take and spend.
The vote is known as "de-Brucing," a term that refers to State Rep. Douglas Bruce, who wrote the Taxpayer's Bill of Right. The bill, known as TABOR, limits the amount of revenue a district can collect and spend.
Durango West 2 district manager Jenna Hutt said de-Brucing in her district has nothing to do with taxes.
"TABOR restrictions limit the amount of revenue you get to pay your debt services for districts bonds," Hutt said.
The district will now have no limit to the amount of revenue in user fees or grants that go to maintaining its water, sewer, roads and greenbelt space.
"It's basically not restricting us to keep the roads well-maintained and water systems running well," Hutt said.

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